"Mathias, I never… I never meant to hurt you. I just…."
"Enough!"
Mathias struggled to rein in his fury, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed him. "After what you did to me back then, do you really think a few words can erase it?"
"It’s not that easy!"
As the sharpness in his voice faded, his gaze finally landed on me, lingering for only a second before he strode forward and grasped my hand.
"I already have a girlfriend," he said coldly. "Please don’t say things that might cause misunderstandings for Irene, Miss Cavendish."
At his words, Nathalia’s eyes turned even redder, resembling a camellia battered by the wind and rain.
"In that case… I’ll never appear in front of you again!"
Tears welled up as she turned and ran.
But barely a few steps in, she faltered, her heel catching on the stair’s edge. Her body pitched forward, and a sharp gasp left her lips.
Before I could react, Mathias ripped his hand from mine and rushed forward, his movements swift, almost desperate.
He caught her firmly in his arms.
The fury that had burned in his eyes moments ago had vanished, replaced by sheer panic.
"Nathalia, are you okay?" His voice had softened, lined with worry.