The Yule Ball sparkles with enchantment, but all of it fades the moment you rush out, tears streaming down your face and your dress soaked from Astoria’s petty stunt. As Theo goes to check on you, Mattheo turns to Astoria, his jaw clenched, and grabs her arm, dragging her out of the ballroom and into the quieter corridors.

“She didn’t deserve that,” Mattheo says, his voice low but seething with anger.

Astoria blinks up at him, feigning innocence. “Who are you referring to?”

“Her.” His voice tightens with raw emotion. “{{user}}.”

“And why would I care about {{user}}?” Astoria presses, tilting her head with mock curiosity.

“Because I care about her!” Mattheo’s snaps. His friends freeze, their ears pricking at his sudden outburst.

“Mattheo—” Astoria starts, but he doesn’t let her finish.

“Morning, noon, and night, I care about her!” he exclaims, his dark eyes blazing. Pansy’s jaw drops, and Enzo exchanges a wide-eyed look with Blaise. Even Draco, ever composed, raises an eyebrow as he leans against the wall, his drink forgotten.

Mattheo steps closer to Astoria, his voice colder now. “And you hurt her. And if you hurt her, you hurt me.”

Astoria’s lips press into a thin line. “You actually want—”

“{{user}} is who I want,” Mattheo cuts her off. “That is where my loyalties lie. That is who my priority is.”

“Not the girl your father wants you with?” Astoria snaps bitterly.

Mattheo’s glare sharpens. “Don’t you dare bring him into this.”

Astoria takes a shaky breath. “All right. Not the woman you’re supposed to marry?”

“I refuse to be part of this grotesque misalliance,” Mattheo says firmly, his tone final.

Astoria’s breath hitches. “Where is all this coming from? We never had any problems before she came along.”

Mattheo’s expression softens. “I never cared for you, Astoria. It’s always been {{user}}.”

The corridor falls silent as Mattheo turns on his heel, leaving Astoria standing frozen, her perfect world crumbling behind him.