Wildflowers

Constance

Severus frowned as he walked toward the front door of Katelyn's cottage, irritated by the unexpected knock. He was hoping for a quiet evening, a break from the chaos of the past few weeks. But the moment he opened the door, his irritation shifted to shock.

Standing in front of him was a woman he hadn't seen in over a decade. Constance. Her fiery red curls cascaded down her shoulders, just as wild and untamed as they had been when he last knew her. Her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief, and her freckled face was framed by a grin that was all too familiar. She hadn't changed a bit.

"Severus," she purred, her voice as smooth as silk. "It's been a long time."

Severus blinked, momentarily at a loss for words before a wave of memories hit him—memories he had buried long ago. He shook his head, his expression hardening as he quickly regained his composure. "What in the hell are you doing here, Constance?" he demanded, his tone flat and unwelcoming.

Her grin widened, as if she were enjoying his discomfort. "Lucy asked me to come see how you were doing."

Severus's eyes narrowed at the mention of Lucius. Of course, he thought bitterly. Lucius had a hand in this, stirring up trouble as usual. "Well, I'm great," Severus replied coldly. "So you can go now."

Constance's gaze flickered with amusement, her bright green eyes sparkling as she took a step forward, her hand reaching out to rest on Severus's chest. The touch was light, teasing, but Severus immediately tensed beneath it.

"Come on," she said, her voice soft and coaxing, her fingers trailing down his chest. "Aren't you going to invite an old friend inside?"

Severus stiffened, his jaw clenching as he grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from him. "I cannot," he said sharply. "I live here with my fiancée."

Constance raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a playful smirk. "Fiancée?" she repeated, looking around the cottage with mild curiosity. "Where is she now, then?"

Severus's expression darkened, a warning in his gaze. "You're not coming in, Constance," he said firmly, his voice edged with irritation.

She pouted, but the amusement never left her eyes. "I've come all this way, and you won't even offer me a cup of tea?" she asked, her tone mockingly sweet. "You have changed, Severus. The man I knew wouldn't have turned me away so easily."

Severus's lips curled into a sneer. "The man you knew is long gone," he snapped. "And you—" he gestured toward her with disdain—"you are not welcome here."

Constance sighed dramatically, leaning against the doorframe as if she had no intention of leaving. "I see Lucius was right. You've become so... domesticated," she teased, her voice dripping with mockery. "I suppose playing house with your little fiancée has made you forget how much fun we used to have."

Severus's jaw tightened, his temper flaring. "Don't you dare speak about her like that," he growled, his tone dangerously low. "And don't pretend you ever meant anything more to me than—"

"Than what?" she interrupted, her grin widening. "Than a distraction? Something to fill the emptiness? We both know that's what we were, Severus. Don't pretend otherwise."

Severus's grip on the door tightened, the wood creaking beneath his fingers. "Whatever we had, Constance, is in the past. I've moved on. And you should too."

Her eyes flickered with something—perhaps a hint of hurt, but it was quickly replaced with a knowing smirk. She straightened up, brushing a strand of red hair over her shoulder. "Fine," she said lightly, though the playful edge in her voice remained. "But don't think I'm gone for good. You know where to find me... if you change your mind."