Timeline - March 15th | ( 6 weeks later)

Matthew stood alone on the balcony, the soft strains of music drifting from the dance hall where the annual gala was in full swing, continuing into the early morning hours. The distinguished guests, celebrated for their accomplishments in the Academies, reveled with the abandon of inebriated soldiers. His role in the event had ended long ago.

The music shifted as the band changed tunes, blending various melodies and rhythms. Despite the festive atmosphere, Matthew was troubled. He rested his fingers on the cool steel railing, his gaze fixed on the Empyris Academy. The soft golden glow from the Academy illuminated the surrounding area, casting a serene light across the city that had developed around it, hugging the northern coast.

A small city had sprouted around the Academy, nestled along its northern coast. Beyond the beach lands, only an expansive, dark void stretched out, blending into an invisible horizon.

Unbeknownst to Matthew, a figure stood at the entrance of the balcony, accompanied by a short ginger-haired woman. Charlotte, clad in a flowing yellow silk gown that shimmered softly in the moonlight, gazed up at Toni. The gown cascaded elegantly to the floor, cinched at the waist with a delicate sash. As the fabric caught the light, it created a subtle, radiant glow that accentuated her graceful presence.

"You should go talk to him," Charlotte suggested softly, her voice warm with understanding. "He looks like he could really use you right now."

Toni's gaze softened, meeting hers, and a quiet warmth flickered in his eyes.

"You've been watching him like a hawk," she added, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "It's obvious how much you care. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were... well, more than just close friends."

Toni chuckled, shaking his head. "You know that he's practically my brother," he replied, his voice quieter, almost reflective. "We've known each other most of our lives. I just... I worry about him."

"Hence why I said, if I didn't know better..." Charlotte chuckled softly before tilting her head, her eyes warm with concern. "It's about his heart, isn't it?" She reached up, her fingers brushing against his skin as she cupped his chin.

Matthew's heart transplant had become common knowledge, as had the assassination attempt that had nearly claimed both him and Toni. She hadn't imagined that dating Toni would mean stepping into the whirlwind that was his life, or that he was one of Allegiant's elite. Yet here she was, drawn deeply into their complex world, her feelings for him intensifying with every glimpse of the loyalty and sacrifice that defined him.

"Yeah," Toni replied, his voice weighed with unspoken worries. "I can't help but worry."

She held his gaze, steady and reassuring. "You know it wasn't your fault, right?" she said gently. "From what you told me, you were just out scouting when the ambush happened. There was no way you could've seen it coming."

Toni's head dropped slightly, that all-too-familiar guilt still gnawing at him despite her words.

"Hey," she murmured, her voice firm but kind, "I know they're your family. Every one of them is, aren't they?"

He nodded, the tightness in his chest easing a bit as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Yeah, they are," he said, glancing over at Matthew before looking back at her. "You good if I check on him for ten minutes?"

Charlotte gave him a soft smile, nodding as her fingers lingered on his arm. "Of course. I'll be right here. Besides," she added with a small grin, "it's not every day I get to be part of something like this."

Toni smiled, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back before you know it."

She raised an eyebrow playfully, the soft yellow of her gown catching the light as she teased, "Ten minutes, not a second longer. It's... a little overwhelming, if I'm honest."

He chuckled, his gaze warm as it held hers. "You'll get used to it."

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Oh, will I? I'll just get used to all of... this?"

"Yeah, if you want to stay... with me," Toni replied with a grin.

She stood on her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I don't have anywhere else I'd rather be," she smirked, giving his hand a quick squeeze before turning to rejoin the crowd. Her gown flowed gracefully behind her as she disappeared into the vibrant swirl of the ballroom.

As the soft click of her heels gradually fading into the symphony of the gala, Toni then turned his focus back to Matthew, who stood alone on the balcony, a figure cast in shadow, lost in thought. The pounding music from the party below created a rhythmic backdrop, blending with the distant hum of conversation.

Toni stepped onto the balcony, his expression shifting from casual to concerned as he called out, "Hey?" His voice cut through the stillness, laced with a quiet worry.

Matthew turned at the sound, recognizing his friend, and a faint, weary smile tugged at the corner of his lips—more out of habit than real joy.

"You know, there's a whole party inside, right?" Toni said, trying for a lighthearted tone, though his eyes betrayed his deeper concern.

Matthew, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that exuded both elegance and formality, leaned against the stone archway of the balcony. The cool night air contrasted sharply with the warmth and noise of the gala inside. He shook his head, acknowledging Toni's presence but still staring out at the city.

"Yeah, I know," Matthew said, his voice carrying a note of exhaustion.

"And the Headmaster's conspicuously absent out here alone, while his fiancée and her entourage of our drunken friends are out on the dance floor with the soldiers, keeping them entertained. You don't want the columns writing any more about the two of you, do you?" Toni's smirk grew as he teased.

"First, they all know who her fiancée is," Matthew replied with a smirk, glancing back at Toni. "Second, all four girls can handle themselves. Third, I'm beyond exhausted with the insane publicity that comes with my life at the moment. " 

Instead of leaving him alone, Toni moved to his side, leaning against the balcony railing. Together they stared into the dark, vast city below, its quiet swallowing the distant sounds of the gala and creating a strange, almost unsettling silence around them. The space between them was thick with unspoken tension.

"You know," Toni began softly, his tone laced with concern, "your way of thinking... it always worries me."

Matthew didn't respond immediately, but the weight of whatever was bothering him seemed etched in every line of his posture. His silence stretched, then he finally spoke, his voice low and uneasy. "It's nothing," he murmured, though his tone betrayed his doubt. "I'm probably just being paranoid."

Toni's gaze lingered on Matthew, his concern evident. "You know, that paranoia of yours... it's probably the one thing we actually need in a world like this."

Matthew exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "I've got this nagging feeling. Something's off. This much quiet—it doesn't sit right."

Toni nodded, his brow furrowing as he met Matthew's gaze. "I know what you mean. After being in this war for so long, the silence just gets under your skin. It feels wrong. And with Isis and Cid laying low..." He shook his head, the weight of his own unease settling over him. "Maybe we've just been in it so long, we don't know how to feel when things are calm. We're conditioned to anticipate war at every turn."

Matthew's dry chuckle broke the tension for a moment. "Been talking to Teddy, haven't you?"

"He said we're probably going to be paranoid for the rest of our lives. I think the word he used was 'conditioned?'" Toni replied, shaking his head slightly.

"Conditioned," Matthew repeated, shaking his head. The term was exactly what Teddy had used. "Call it what you want. The bottom line is, it's not over. She's out there, lying low, gathering whatever army or resources she can with those crystals. It's really fucking bothering me."

Matthew then sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his thoughts. Toni's concern mirrored his own. The fear of another fifteen years of false calm, only for her to return and plunge them back into chaos, loomed large.

"I assume, given Eko's tendency to be a loose cannon, you haven't shared these thoughts with her?" Toni offered.

Matthew's eyes flashed with frustration. "Do I look like I'm crazy? I'm lucky the wedding's keeping her occupied. She hasn't even scheduled any more doctor's appointments for me, treating me like I'm some fragile creature."

"You are," Toni said with all seriousness as the guilt came back. "Fragile, and all. But seriously, how have your appointments been?"

"Not fragile," Matthew continued smirking trying to lighten the mood, "the Mecotec rod caused an immunological conflict with the new heart, so they aren't ever going to replace it. And, from all the tests, the crystal isn't harming my heart, and the Brugada syndrome tests have consistently come back negative. So..."

"So? That's fucking good!" Toni said, a smile spreading across his face. Even though he inhaled deeply in relief, the news was reassuring. Given that they were only three months post-surgery, and with the medical team consistently monitoring his condition, Toni felt a lot calmer.

"Look," Matthew said, redirecting the conversation with a hint of irritation, "if Eko knew what I've been thinking—tracking down every single lead—she'd be right here with me, caught up in the worry. This is the calmest I've ever seen her."

"So you haven't been attending board meetings?" Toni's tone shifted to curiosity. "Because I know that was some bullshit excuse."

Matthew scoffed. Toni nodded knowingly. "Thought so," he said, shaking his head. "I take it there's been nothing of note?"

"Complete silence," Matthew replied, narrowing his eyes. "Even before Ezra's attack, which I can only assume was orchestrated by Isis. Toni, you've noticed it too. It's uncomfortably quiet. It's unsettling."

"Maybe we don't know peace, and we should be enjoying it while we can?" Toni suggested, tilting his head as he looked at Matthew.

"Another one of Teddy's references," Matthew said with a shrug, his frustration softening slightly.

"It's a valid point," Toni continued, watching as Matthew's gaze returned to the skyline. "What if we're so used to living on edge from the wars that we can't even recognize peace when it's right in front of us? Maybe we're missing out on the calm we've been fighting for."

Matthew considered this, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe. I don't know. I just feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, constantly anticipating it. How do you not think about it when it's everything you've been conditioned to expect? It's all we know, Toni."

"I get it," Toni said, his voice tight with a mix of frustration and resignation. "Teddy's been pushing to cut off my sleeping tablets. He thinks it'll help me 'focus' on what's really going on."

Matthew's eyes darkened with empathy. "He's trying that again, huh? Sometimes I think he forgets what we've been through."

Toni's smile was thin and strained. "Yeah. And honestly, I don't know if we'll ever truly escape it. It's like we're stuck in a loop, trying to grasp at peace but never quite reaching it. The night terrors are still there, it's why he's trying to cut me off."

"Night terrors?" Matthew's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes reflecting the weight of unspoken fears. "Why are you getting night terrors, you said they stopped?"

Toni shrugged, the movement lacking its usual confidence. "Yeah, they had. And then..." he gestured at Matthew, his hand sweeping over him. "Then all of this happened. With you."

Matthew's brow furrowed, a wave of guilt washing over him as he absorbed Toni's words. He hadn't been aware—probably hadn't even been alive in those critical moments—but Toni had been there, alone, facing down Xero, powerless to stop what happened.

Seeing the haunted look in Toni's eyes, Matthew felt the weight of his own guilt deepen, his hands clenching involuntarily. "That wasn't on you," he said softly, his voice strained. "You weren't responsible for protecting me."

"Oh, fuck off with that," Toni snapped, standing straighter, a flash of anger in his gaze. "We're brothers, Matthew, and you know it. Don't brush this off like we're just 'soldiers in a war.'"

Matthew held his gaze, the tension between them softening as he nodded. "You're right," he murmured. "We are. And I didn't realize what happened out there had triggered the nightmares again for you."

Toni leaned heavily against the railing, his breath uneven, eyes glazed as he relived the moment that haunted him. "It's like I'm trapped," he murmured, his voice barely holding steady. "That dagger... I just keep seeing it. Plunging into your chest, over and over, like some twisted loop that won't let me go." He swallowed hard, pain and anger warring in his gaze. "For a split second, I thought... it was the end. That I'd lost you." His voice broke, the words catching painfully in his throat. "It's why I went back to the pills."

Matthew's face contorted with worry, his own hands clenching tightly as fear cut through him. "Toni... you're not back to overdosing, are you?" His voice was low, almost pleading. The memory of Toni's struggle was still raw—how close he'd come to losing himself to the pills, how long it had taken him to claw his way out.

With a frustrated exhale, Toni's jaw tightened. "Why do you think Teddy's been on me in those sessions? He's trying to keep me clean this time, pushing hard so I don't end up back there."

"Fuck." Matthew's fists clenched even tighter, the tension in his voice sharp as a knife. "Tell me what you need from me. If going back to Betts Clinic is what it takes, we'll get out of here tonight—I don't care."

Toni gave a small, weary smile, though there was a vulnerability behind it. "No, Matthew. I've got it under control this time. Really." His gaze met Matthew's with a raw honesty. "Teddy's breathing down my neck, and it's... helping. I'm in the sessions. I'm not doing this alone."

Matthew's expression hardened, jaw set in determination. "I can't... I won't go through that again, Toni. You didn't see what I saw—you didn't have to pull you out of your own vomit, choking, barely hanging on by a thread." His words trembled slightly, the weight of the memory pressing into his chest like a vice. "Forgive me if I'm fucking terrified, but that wasn't the first time... and it fucking well wasn't the last."

He looked at Toni, his gaze fierce and haunted. "I found you so many times, Toni. More than you remember. Each time, watching you slip away just a little bit more. The pain was visible in his eyes, his fists clenching as he tried to swallow the fear that had been gripping him since they were kids. "It's not just some memory for me. It's the kind of thing that eats you alive. And every time you tell me you've got it under control, I remember what it looked like when you didn't."

Toni's face softened, Matthew's words landing like a heavy blow, leaving a raw ache that settled deep in his chest. He opened his mouth, struggling to find words that might ease the pain etched across his friend's face. But the haunted look in Matthew's eyes made any response feel hollow, inadequate. Still, he tried. "We were just kids, Matthew. Barely teenagers... it was ten years ago." His voice wavered, caught somewhere between defensiveness and regret.

Matthew's gaze remained intense, his voice dropping to a rough edge. "Ten years or ten days... that doesn't change a fucking thing. You're still my family, Toni. That doesn't stop." He paused, a surge of emotion choking him as he clenched his fists, fighting for control. "Losing you... God, forgive me for being scared, but I can't—I won't lose you to this."

Toni looked away, grappling with the weight of Matthew's words. He knew, deeply, how much he mattered to his friend. The silence between them held the depth of their bond—brothers bound not just by loyalty, but by pain and an unbreakable, fierce love that had held strong through every battle, every close call, even when the world seemed hell-bent on tearing them apart.

"Look," Toni began, steadying his voice, "I'm on a controlled dosage. And Teddy's keeping a tight watch over me; he's making sure I don't slip. I've got this. I really do. I just... wanted you to know." His tone softened, meeting Matthew's concerned gaze.

Matthew's expression eased, the frustration melting into something gentler. "I appreciate that, Toni," he said quietly, the tension in his voice giving way to genuine care. "I really do. I'm glad you're taking steps to look after yourself because, believe me, if I need to keep an eye out for you too, I will."

Toni let out a small chuckle, nudging him. "Eko's already a full-time job for you."

Matthew chuckled, though the sound held an unmistakable rawness. "Considering the past three months since my surgery, you and Eko have both been emotional wrecks."

Toni rolled his eyes, glancing at him with a hint of a smile. "You nearly died, Matthew—cut us some slack. That kind of thing messes with people."

"Hmm," Matthew nodded, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. "Well... while we're, uh, confessing stuff and all..."

Toni looked at him, curious. "What is it?"

Matthew took a breath, his gaze shifting, shadows flickering across his face. "I finally told Eko," he murmured, voice rough. "Told her the truth... about the nightmares. Why I can't sleep, why I wake up screaming sometimes." His voice dropped lower, thick with the weight of years he'd kept hidden. "I always brushed it off, made it sound like it was just adrenaline from the job... or you know the youmas or something. Never about what they really are."

Toni's expression softened, surprise melting into something deeper, more understanding. "You did?" He paused, his voice filled with genuine awe. "Mate... that's next level for you. I know what that means." His gaze met Matthew's with a look of deep empathy, recognizing just how much his friend had been carrying all this time.

The harsh truth was that while Toni had sought refuge in sleeping tablets for some semblance of rest, Matthew had long since abandoned any hope of a full night's sleep, learning to survive on fractured moments of slumber that did little to soothe his haunted mind.

"When did you tell her?" Toni's question hung in the air, as heavy as the darkness between them. He knew, more than most, the gravity of what he was asking. Not even Jesse or Richie understood the depth of Matthew's scars—the years of brutality and survival that had twisted his childhood into something few could fathom. Teddy had always said Matthew's trauma rivaled that of battle-hardened soldiers, scars that ran bone-deep and haunted like old wounds torn open.

Matthew's gaze drifted, his voice taking on a distant, hollow quality, as if speaking through layers of scar tissue. "It started after New Year's. When everything went quiet, something broke loose and the nightmares kicked into overdrive, and they came back harder than ever." There was a raw frustration in his voice. "So, yeah... I understand why you might've turned back to the pills."

Toni watched him, his own breath catching, the tension etched in Matthew's clenched jaw mirroring his own silent dread. Then, swallowing the unease in his throat, he dared to ask, voice barely a whisper, "Did you tell her about the orphanages, too?"

Matthew nodded, his face clouded with a pain so raw it seemed to twist every feature. "Everything, Toni," he murmured, his voice fractured. "The abuse... every single thing they did to us." His words trembled, dragged from a place he barely allowed himself to visit. "I didn't have a choice." His gaze dropped, haunted, like he was staring at some unseen ghost. "We had this huge, like the ones we had when we didn't we were Ace and Snow kinda argument—except this would probably be the worst we've ever had. Then, she threw her ring at me... said it was all or nothing."

He paused, his voice choking as he fought to keep going. "She broke down right in front of me, Toni. Begged me to stop shutting her out, to let her in on the truth... all the shit I've tried to bury." His jaw tightened, but his voice wavered, barely holding back the pain. "She told me... if I was really serious about marrying her, she deserved to know  all the dark shit aswell."  He swallowed, his eyes bleak. "So I... I told her."

"Jesus," Toni murmured, fists clenched tight as memories crashed over him—the twisted games in the orphanages, the sick amusement those bastards found in throwing them into fights with youmas, where there were other helpless kids who held no powers and yet they were all  used as entertainment, as bait. It made his skin crawl just thinking about the past.

Toni's gaze softened as he looked at Matthew, memories of all those times flooding back—when it was nearly always Matthew who took the hits for the other kids, the first to step up, to tap into the crystal and summon a strength that none of them fully understood at that age. He took a steadying breath, nodding as he met Matthew's eyes.

"You did the right thing, even if it was hard," he said quietly, his voice gentling with a deep understanding. "All that shit you've buried, the things you won't even tell me that they did... I'm glad you told her, at least."

"We all have shit we don't talk about," Matthew stared Toni down, "the stuff that keeps you going back to the pills and all." 

He met Matthew's gaze, holding it, acknowledging the weight of those words. "Yeah, we do," he admitted, his voice low. "Touché."

He took a breath, steadying himself, a wry smile just barely reaching his eyes. "The difference is, you've always carried that load, thinking you had to shoulder it alone. But you've got Eko now, you've had me, Jesse, Richie. And we're here, whether you like it or not." His chuckle held a touch of bitter irony. "We're your support system, Matthew. Don't go forgetting that."

Matthew gave a hollow laugh, his voice rough. "You're starting to sound just like Teddy."

Toni chuckled, a sad smile crossing his face. "Yeah, well, I moonlight as a therapist, apparently." He shook his head, smiling faintly. "And from my professional observation, we might be fucked up, but at least we're fucked up together, right?"

Matthew met Toni's gaze, a smirk tugging at his lips as he shook his head.

"You know what's funny?" Matthew said, letting out a half-hearted laugh. "I keep telling Eko to hold on to these quiet moments, to savor the peace. And here we are, doing the same fucking thing."

Toni gave a wry smile, acknowledging the irony. "We're our own worst enemies, always pushing others to do what we struggle to manage ourselves." He shook his head, letting out a soft laugh as he stared into the darkness.

"Anyway, when are you heading out next?" Toni asked, shifting the subject, knowing there wasn't more to be said—not here, not now.

"I've got another lead with Spear," Matthew said casually. "Heading out tomorrow afternoon while Eko and the girls are busy with bridesmaid dress shopping. Figured it's easier to slip out without the whole inquisition."

Toni's expression tightened with concern. "I'm coming with you. You're running yourself into the ground as it is. When's the last time you actually slept?"

Matthew shrugged, fatigue evident in his gaze. "Maybe thirty hours ago? Caught a few cat naps in between."

Toni's stance softened, but his resolve held. "We should assign some scout squads to these leads. They're trained for it, and you need a break."

Matthew hesitated, then nodded. "I'm tracking fifteen leads a week now. Take as many people as you need to manage that."

"Done," Toni replied. "We've got soldiers for this. Let logistics and admin take over the legwork. If anything big comes up, they can loop us in."

Matthew considered the plan, acknowledging the toll his current pace was taking on him—and the need to keep his constant movement under the radar.

"Good," Toni said, noticing Matthew's agreement. "I'll set it up once we're back from Spear's. I'll get Jesse involved to pull resources from Admin and Delivery. We should have the teams ready by next week." He clapped Matthew on the back with a reassuring grin.

"Happy now?" Matthew scoffed, shaking his head but managing a slight smile.

Toni smirked. "Clearly, I'm not the only one who gets anxious when you're out playing hero and I'm left in the dark. Your fiancée probably agrees with me."

"My fiancée is knee-deep in this wedding that's costing me about as much as rebuilding an academy," Matthew said, a mix of exasperation and amusement flickering in his eyes. "Her taste is... next level. It's turning into a fucking circus, which I didn't want."

Toni raised an eyebrow, grinning knowingly. "Well, you did say she's the princess's cousin. No surprise she's got a taste for the finer things. But surely she's got some funds tucked away? An inheritance or something?"

Matthew shook his head, his jaw set as he faced Toni. "Fuck off. I'm not letting her pay for anything. Besides, the chances of any of them getting their money back are slim to none right now. She said she was done with that whole life, and I told her I'd support her. And I am. It's not like I didn't know what I was signing up for."

Toni raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. "Even if she sends you broke?"

"Even... fuck... if she sends me broke," Matthew replied, shaking his head with a mix of frustration and amusement. "You don't get to choose who you fall for, right? Sometimes, you just find someone who makes it all worth it."

"True enough," Toni agreed, his grin widening. "And she's managed to turn you into a full-on romantic sap. Guess I should thank her for that."

Matthew rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a genuine smile. "Fuck off. Let's get back inside. The party's still going, and I'm missing out on all the fun. Besides, you and Charlotte have been all over each other—I'm surprised you even came up for air."

Toni laughed, throwing an arm around Matthew's shoulders as they walked back toward the lively ballroom. The music and chatter grew louder, filling the air with energy and a stark contrast to their earlier serious conversation.

"She's good," Toni said softly, his voice tinged with genuine affection as they re-entered the bright scene. "She's a really good person, you know. And tonight's turning out to be... a really good night."

Matthew's gaze drifted across the room, taking in the glittering lights and vibrant colors, a sense of warmth settling over him. He raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why's that?"

Toni pointed toward Jesse, who was dancing with the girls, a drink in hand, animatedly recounting something with full passion. "You bloody missed it!" he said, excitement clear in his tone. "Jesse and Aiden got into it again, and I swear, this girl threw a solid punch right into his smug face! And your brilliant fiancée? Caught the whole thing on camera!"

Toni eagerly started filling Matthew in on the drama he'd missed. Apparently, Jesse and Aiden had clashed once more, and in the heat of it, Jesse had landed a punch square on Aiden's face—a scene Eko had managed to capture in full glory. Toni was practically gleeful, already imagining how many times he'd replay that footage once he got his hands on it.

Matthew chuckled. "So, it's the best night of the year for you, getting to watch Jesse punch Aiden in the face?"

Toni laughed, shaking his head. "Come on, like you wanted that kid around any more than I did?"

"Yeah, but..." Matthew's grin widened as he caught sight of the girls noticing their return. Eko was attempting to disentangle herself from the group to come over.

"But what?" Toni prompted, turning slightly just as Charlotte grabbed Eko's hand, pulling her along.

Matthew shrugged, a hint of contemplation in his voice. "I'm also not in love with Jesse."

Toni raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Jesse and me? That's never happening. She sees me as a brother, and that's probably all we'll ever be. After all these years, she's just... never seen me any other way. So, what the hell am I supposed to do? I don't want to spend my life alone, so..." He trailed off, a hint of resignation in his voice.

Before Matthew could respond, Charlotte and a slightly tipsy Eko joined them. Eko, her cheeks flushed from the evening's warmth, wasted no time. She wrapped her arms around Matthew's neck, pulling him into a kiss that seemed to erase the rest of the world. The intensity of their connection was undeniable, their kiss deep and unrestrained, drawing a mix of curious and admiring glances from those who knew them well.

Charlotte, noticing the display, playfully tugged on Toni's arm, a mischievous grin lighting up her face as she attempted to pull his attention away. Her eyes widened slightly, a blend of surprise and mild embarrassment flashing across her face at the couple's unabashed affection.

"Like I said, you'll get used to it," Toni remarked with a grin, his gaze lingering on Charlotte's reaction. He chuckled, clearly amused by her astonishment.

"I don't think anyone could get used to that," Charlotte replied, her eyes fixed on the passionate exchange between Eko and Matthew. The scene was so consuming it felt almost surreal. She'd heard the rumors about them—who hadn't?—but witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. The intensity of their affection was something she hadn't thought possible in their world, especially among soldiers trained from childhood to be unyielding, emotionless.

The contrast was striking. Here were soldiers, hardened by war, now enveloped in raw, unrestrained emotion. It was a poignant reminder of their humanity, their vulnerability, breaking through the layers of toughness they wore. Beside her, Toni stood as a testament to the unexpected tenderness that sometimes emerged from the world they'd known.

As Matthew guided Eko onto the dance floor, the music shifted to a lively rhythm, filling the room with vibrant energy. Charlotte turned to find Toni's playful smile, his hand extended toward her in a warm, inviting gesture.

"Care to dance?" he asked, his voice rich with warmth.

Charlotte looked at his outstretched hand, her heart fluttering with a blend of anticipation and nervousness. With a shy but eager smile, she placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth and steadiness of his touch.

"Or... want to escape the chaos and come back to the bakery instead?" she suggested softly, a hint of playful mischief in her tone. "Get away from all this for a while?"

Toni's eyes lit up with amusement. "You cooking?"

Charlotte nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I might be."

"Well, how could I say no to that?" Toni replied with a grin, drawing her into his embrace. As they slipped out of the bustling ballroom, the prospect of a quiet, more intimate evening at the bakery seemed like the perfect way to end the night.

They wove through the crowd, Charlotte's yellow silk dress flowing gracefully with each step. Across the room, Jasmine and Jesse exchanged curious glances as they watched the two slip away.

"Somebody's got the love bug!" Jasmine squealed, her eyes sparkling with playful intrigue.

"No way," Jesse scoffed, following Toni and Charlotte's exit with a mix of disbelief and skepticism. "That's totally not serious."

"Oh, come on!" Jasmine insisted, grabbing Jesse's arm with enthusiasm. "They look adorable together. Richie says Toni might actually be serious this time—like he's actually putting a label on it!"

Jesse squinted, her brows furrowing. "Toni has never labeled anyone as his actual girlfriend."

"Well," Jasmine smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "I heard he asked Sooki to list Charlotte as his plus-one for the wedding!"

"What!" Jesse spun around, surprise flashing across her face. "He barely knows her!"

"Just saying," Jasmine shrugged, feigning nonchalance. But then her gaze drifted to someone on the dance floor, and, mumbling something incoherent, she bolted, leaving Jesse alone, her gaze fixed on Toni and Charlotte as they lingered near the ballroom exit.

Jesse's teeth clenched as she watched them. Toni leaned in, pulling Charlotte into a kiss, and for the first time in her life, an unexpected surge of anger bloomed deep within her—a feeling so intense, she couldn't name it. She hated it, the way Toni, one of the guys she considered family, seemed to be slipping away, confiding in someone new.

Someone who wasn't her.

The thought twisted in her chest, a bitter realization that Toni had found comfort in a second-rate version of her. She folded her arms tightly, bitterness creeping into her thought

What kind of name was Charlotte, anyway?