Mattheo Riddle - Imagines/OneShot

Bound by Fate - Pt.1

Word Count: 371

The silence between us was thick as we stood in the dimly lit study. The scent of aged parchment and the crackling of the fireplace filled the room, but neither Mattheo nor I had spoken since we'd been forced into this room to "discuss the arrangement".

Arranged marriage. The words felt like chains around my throat, suffocating me. How had this happened? How had my life been reduced to a transaction between our families? Why was I not able to find someone who I truly loved?

I glanced over at Mattheo Riddle, standing rigid by the window, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his coat. He looked as frustrated as I felt, his jaw clenched, his gaze fixed outside as though he could escape this moment by sheer will.

I sighed, breaking the silence. "This isn't what either of us wanted."

He turned to me, his dark eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite place—anger, frustration, maybe even regret. "No, it isn't." Hois voice was low, almost dangerous. "But it's what we're stuck with."

I sank into the nearest chair, feeling the weight of it all crash down on me. I had always known that marriage for someone like me—someone born into a pure-blood family—wouldn't be about love. But never did I think it would feel this...cold.

"And you're just going to go along with it?" I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

He scoffed, moving away from the window and pacing across the room. "What choice do I have, Y/N? My father expects me to honor the family's name. You know what he's like."

I did. Everyone knew that Tom Riddle Sr. was like—controlling, ruthless. And my parents? They were no different. Our marriage had been arranged to secure power, alliances, and the illusion of purity.

"I'm not interested in playing house," Mattheo continued, his voice cold. "We don't have to pretend we like each other. I'll stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine. We'll keep up appearances, nothing more.

I flinched at the harshness in his tone but nodded. It wasn't like I had any other options. "Fine. We'll get through this the best way we can."

And with that, our fate was sealed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Vote &/or Comment :)

Stay Beautiful <3