_Thalassa's POV_
As Matteo stormed away from the main hall, pulling me along with him, a whirlwind of emotions churned within me. His defiance in the face of his father's ultimatum filled me with a mixture of admiration and guilt. I couldn't bear the thought of being the cause of such turmoil within his family, of driving a wedge between Matteo and his father.
"I'm sorry, Matteo," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as we walked through the corridors. "I never wanted to cause you so much pain."
He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. I could see the intensity in his eyes, a tumultuous storm of emotions raging within him.
"Thalassa," he said softly, reaching out to cup my cheek with his hand. "You have nothing to apologize for. This is not your fault."
"But Matteo," I insisted
