CHAPTER 21
**WINTER**
After the party last night, I went to bed with tears streaming down my face, desperately wishing for a better day. I tried to push thoughts of Zion and his anger to the back of my mind, but it was no use.
"You’ll pay..." His menacing words replayed in my head, his venomous tone still vivid. In his world, I was insignificant—a mere nobody, while he basked in admiration, surrounded by adoring women and envious men. Making me disappear would be effortless for him; destroying me even simpler.
I needed to focus on my college life and salvage what was left of my existence. All I could do was keep moving forward, clinging to the hope that things could always be worse.
I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing the intrusive thoughts out of my mind. I press my clenched fists into the mattress and take slow, deliberate breaths through my mouth. After a few moments, a sense of calm washes over me, and I finally open my eyes.
I pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the chill of the morning air against my skin. I had to pull myself together; wallowing in bed wasn’t going to solve anything. I dragged myself to the bathroom, each step feeling heavier than the last.
I looked in the mirror and winced. My face was a mess from the crying, mascara streaked down my cheeks in dark smudges, and my hair was a tangled mess from anxiously running my fingers through it. I sighed, taking a deep breath as I splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would wash away some of the heaviness that clung to me.
After taking care of my morning routine, I made my way to the kitchen. I knew I couldn’t stay hidden in my bedroom forever; I needed to face the day. The emptiness of the house seemed to echo my turmoil, but I focused on the simple task of making coffee, hoping that a little normalcy might help clear the fog in my mind.
As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, I froze in my tracks. Zion was casually leaning against the counter, an orange juice in one hand and his phone pressed to his ear. His gaze met mine, and a smug grin spread across his face.
“Babe, I’ve got to call you back,” he said into the phone, his voice rich and velvety, with a casual yet commanding tone. The way he said "babe" sent a jolt through me, making my heart race despite myself.
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unwavering. Something was unsettling about the way his gaze held me captive, an intense focus that seemed to pierce through my defences.
He set the carton of juice down with deliberate slowness, his movements smooth and almost predatory, as if every action was calculated to draw my attention and amplify the tension.
“Well, well, it seems someone didn’t take my warning to heart,” he said, his voice low and laced with quiet fury. “I honestly expected that after coming home last night in tears, scared out of your mind, you’d have packed your bags and fled back to where you came from.”
Taking another step “Now, that was your mistake,” Zion said, his voice cold and measured. He took a deliberate step towards me, closing the distance between us with a predatory grace. “You should have left when you had the chance. But now, whatever happens next—it’s on you. I warned you, Snowflake.”
His gaze was unwavering, his eyes flashing with a steely resolve. Every movement he made seemed to amplify the menace in his voice, a silent promise of retribution. The air between us crackled with tension as he advanced, his presence filling the space with an almost tangible threat.
My breaths came in frantic, uneven gasps as I spun around and sprinted across the hall, my feet pounding up the stairs. His heavy footsteps thundered behind me, a constant reminder of the danger closing in.
“Too late to run now, Snowflake ”, he called out, each word dripping with fury.
"You had your chance to leave, but you blew it. Now you're going to pay for that mistake."
His footsteps grew louder, matching the relentless pounding of my heart. “You think you can hide from me?” he taunted.
“I warned you, Snowflake. Running won’t save you now.”
Panic surged through me, making my heart race even faster. I realized with a sinking feeling that I couldn’t outrun him. I should have stayed in bed, where it was safe.
Reaching my bedroom, I yanked open the door and tried to slam it shut, but Zion’s booted foot jammed into the doorway.
“Why are you running away now, Snowflake?” Zion’s voice was a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.
“Didn’t I make myself clear?”
I pushed against the door, my hands trembling, but Zion’s strength was overwhelming. He shoved the door open with ease, stepping into my room with a deliberate, unhurried pace. His eyes locked onto mine, flames of anger and intensity flickering in their depths.
“Why are you doing this?” I gasped, my voice quivering.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
Zion’s face tightened with rage, his anger unmistakable. “Leave you alone? I would have if you’d just stayed out of my way and left when I told you to. But you didn’t. Now, you’re going to face the consequences of your choices.”
The way he looked—fierce and enraged, yet undeniably attractive—only made my confusion and fear sharper. I tried to back away, but my back hit the wall, leaving me nowhere to go.
His presence was overwhelming, and I could feel the heat radiating off him. I wondered why I was drawn to him despite everything, why my heart beat so wildly in his presence. All I wanted was for him to leave me alone, but his intense gaze and unyielding stance made it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
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