CHAPTER 20
**WINTER**
"I'll break you, Snowflake. I'll make you pay," he snarled as he stormed away.
"Go ahead, give it your best shot," I yelled after him, unable to keep silent as he stormed off.
What just happened? My entire body is trembling as I watch Zion storm off. I had no idea what to expect when I moved here, but it certainly wasn’t this.
The warmth from where he gripped my arm still lingers, and it feels like he might have left a mark on my dress where his hand was on my hip.
Why is he so furious with me?
Over the last three years, whenever I visited my dad, Zion was never around. I always had this nagging feeling that he was avoiding me, but his behaviour tonight was beyond anything I could have imagined.
I’ve been keeping my distance, observing him quietly for the last two days, too afraid to approach him after so much time. It took just one look to realize that the boy I used to know is now a man—one who is as distant and intense as he is unrecognizable.
A dark, brooding man who holds a grudge against me. His warning echoes in my mind, each word dripping with disdain and anger.
There was a venom in his gaze, and he seemed intent on making me suffer, but why? I can’t tear my eyes away from him, nor shake the image of how he looked at me. It’s etched in my memory, and I can’t figure out why.
He’s become so devastatingly handsome, with russet brown hair that's shorter on the sides and longer on top. His jawline is sharply defined, and his high cheekbones accentuate the intensity of his darkened green eyes. It’s clear that time has only enhanced his appearance—he looks like he stepped off the cover of a high-fashion magazine.
I shake my head, trying to banish the vivid memories of his touch and the storm of butterflies it stirred in my stomach. What was once a gentle flutter has erupted into a raging tempest.
His sudden hostility is utterly confusing. I should be the one filled with anger, not him. I've lost everything, while he appears to have it all. As the crowd begins to close in around me, my thoughts remain tangled in a web of confusion and bitterness.
It takes some time to gather myself and force my legs to move, but once I do, I push through the crowd and head back toward the house.
The place is even more packed than before, and I start to feel overwhelmed, all my fears creeping back into my mind. A knot forms in my throat. I’ve never felt so out of place, like a flower in a sea of weeds, standing out and drawing unwanted attention. I just want to go home.
I overhear some girls whispering about me, saying my father only married for money and my mother was a drunk.
Their whispers reach my ears, stinging even though they aren't directed at me.
"That's her.."
"I just heard. Her father only married Zion's mom for her money. And her real mother? Total drunk."
"Yeah, a girl just told me she's Zion Royals' stepsister, here to try and indulge in the Royal fortune...just like her dad"
The words hurt.
But who was spreading these rumours
Who fed them these lies?
I look around and spot Zion leaning against a wall with a smirk on his face as some girl kisses his neck. He winks.
He told them.
He lied.
I clench my hand tightly and scowl at him, which only makes his smirk widen. Frustrated, I turn away and curse under my breath, wondering why I even came to this party.
Trying to soothe the ache in my chest, I remind myself that I don’t care what these people think. But Zion’s warning isn’t something I can easily shake off.
Surely he didn’t mean what he said? Maybe he was joking? No, I don’t think so. I glance around the room again, searching for him, but he’s nowhere in sight. I’m suddenly reminded why I never should’ve agreed to come here.
Everyone around me seems to be having the time of their lives—drinking, dancing, and singing—while I stand alone in a corner of the room.
I don't need anyone to tell me that I don't belong here. Zion already made that clear tonight.
Somehow, I wish my past was my present. Where Zion and I were friends again. Where my parents were still together and I had never discovered the secret that shattered my world.
I spotted the exit and pushed my way through the crowd, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. I rubbed at them roughly, trying to stop them, but they kept coming.
The moment I stepped outside, I doubled over, hands braced on my knees, desperately trying to steady my breathing. The crisp night air bit at my cheeks, yet it did little to ease the constriction in my chest. Anxiety was taking hold, with each breath coming in sharp, irregular gasps. I concentrated on my breathing, trying to anchor myself in the midst of the rising panic.
I felt a sudden presence beside me, causing me to jump and place a hand over my racing heart. When I turned, I found a well-dressed, good-looking guy standing there, his face etched with concern.
“Sorry, did I scare you?” he asked gently.
I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. “No, it’s okay.”
“Are you alright?” His concern was genuine, and it caught me off guard.
I quickly looked away, nodding but unable to meet his gaze. My mind was racing, trying to figure out how I was going to get home from this crowded, chaotic party.
“I’m Clark, by the way. This is my house,” he said, extending a hand with a friendly smile.
“Oh, um, nice to meet you, Clark. I’m—” I started to introduce myself, but he interrupted.
“Winter,” he said, his tone warm but tinged with a hint of sadness. I looked at him, feeling a pang of discomfort. It seemed Zion’s rumours had spread far and wide.
Noticing my hesitation and the distress in my eyes, Clark offered, “I can have my driver take you home. It’s no trouble at all.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off. “Zion’s likely going to be occupied for the night. He’s in the guest bedroom with a girl, and he’s had a bit too much to drink. No point waiting around for him.”
The mention of Zion with someone else hit me harder than I expected. The way he’d treated me earlier, coupled with this revelation, felt like another punch to the gut. I forced a sigh, trying to mask my hurt, and thanked Clark.
His kindness was a small balm to my wounded pride. As I slid into the backseat of his car, the leather was cool and comforting against my skin. I closed my eyes, leaning back and allowing myself a moment of respite.
In the quiet of the car, I made a silent vow to myself. I wouldn’t let Zion’s actions or the cruelty of this night define my college experience or my future. I would move forward, determined to reclaim my sense of self and find my path. Clark’s unexpected kindness was a reminder that, even amid the chaos, there were still good people willing to help.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
