CHAPTER 48
**ZION**
I yank the car door open and practically shove Winter inside, my frustration boiling over. She tries to resist, but I force her down into the seat.
As I lean in to fasten her seatbelt, her scent washes over me, hitting me like a gut punch. I breathe in deeply, my mind fogging with the intensity of it.
My gaze shifts to her face, which is just inches away from mine. She’s so damn close, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her, taking in every detail, every curve.
She's so fucking beautiful.
My focus drifts down to her lips, so tempting, so maddeningly close.
As if sensing my gaze, her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and fuck, it’s all I can do to stop myself from crashing into her and claiming her mouth.
I lean in slightly, my resolve wavering, my breath mingling with hers. The heat between us is electric, and I’m so close to tasting her, to losing myself completely. But then, a distant horn blares, jolting me back to reality.
I remember who she is.
My enemy.
The one who constantly defies me. The one I’m supposed to hate. I pull back abruptly, my jaw clenched.
Without warning, I seize the back of her head, anchoring her in place. My face lowers, and I bury my nose in her hair, taking in her intoxicating scent with deep, steady breaths. My movements are urgent and fierce, driven by an intense, almost primal need.
Her arms instinctively rise to push me away, but I’m faster, grabbing her wrist with a vice-like grip.
“Listen closely, Snowflake. You will never speak to Ethan again or even look in his direction. Burn that into your memory. If you don’t, I’ll hunt him down and ensure he’s permanently out of your life. I'll finish him completely!”
Her eyes widen in shock, and I can feel my heartbeat throbbing against my throat.
“What do you mean by ‘finish him completely’?” she stammers, her voice trembling.
“I mean I’ll ensure he’s out of the picture for good,” I say, my tone icy and resolute.
She blinks slowly, a mixture of shock and something else in her gaze—a flicker that only fuels my fury.
Does she actually care about that piece of shit?
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me, before walking around to the driver’s side, eager to leave this place behind.
......
The drive home is thick with tension, an unspoken electricity crackling between us. The night air outside is cool and crisp, but inside the car, it feels stifling, heavy with the weight of unsaid words and pent-up emotions.
The low hum of the engine is the only sound, a monotonous backdrop to the chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind.
I steal a look at Winter.
The streetlights flicker, bathing her features in a warm, golden hue that accentuates the tension in her jaw and the deep lines of concentration etched on her forehead. Her arms are locked across her chest.
Outside, the vibrant pulse of the city thrums with life, neon lights and swarming crowds painting a vivid picture that sharply contrasts with the heavy silence enveloping the car.
The air is saturated with her fragrance, a seductive reminder of her proximity, yet it feels as if she is light-years away.
I grip the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white, every muscle in my body coiled with unresolved anger and desire.
Occasionally, my eyes dart to her, catching the flicker of emotions in her gaze—confusion, defiance, a hint of vulnerability.
It's maddening, the way she affects me, the way she can ignite such conflicting feelings with just a look.
“Why do you hate me so much?” Winter’s voice breaks the silence, trembling with a mix of frustration and vulnerability.
She glances at me briefly, her eyes flickering with a hint of pain, before quickly turning her gaze back to the passenger window. Her shoulders are tense, and she bites her lip, clearly struggling to keep her emotions in check as she avoids my gaze.
I don’t respond.
She should know the reason.
She had every opportunity to come clean years ago, but instead, she chose to lie. She did whatever she wanted, betraying our friendship and tearing my family apart. And now, she acts as if she’s completely oblivious to the damage she caused. It’s infuriating how she can be so detached from the consequences of her actions.
“Why would you think that?” I finally ask, my voice low and edged.
Winter’s hand falls to her lap, her fingers twisting nervously.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the way you’re always shouting at me, making me feel uncomfortable, handling me roughly, and—” She falters for a moment, her face flushing. “And the list goes on.”
I turn to look at her, a smirk playing on my lips.
“That was just me being me,” I say, my tone dripping with a mix of amusement and challenge. The corner of my mouth curls up as I see the surprise and discomfort flicker across her face.
Winter’s eyes narrow, her frustration evident. “You know, Zion, you never answer questions directly. What’s really going on with you? Why are you so hell-bent on making my life miserable?”
I keep my gaze fixed on the road, my grip on the steering wheel tightening.
“Just shut the fuck up, Winter,” I snap, my voice harsh. “You don’t need to understand anything.”
Her voice rises, a mix of defiance and hurt.
“I want to know why you hate me so much. What did I ever do to you?”
I shoot her a sharp look, my jaw clenched.
“Are you really this clueless?” I ask, my voice dripping with contempt. “You don’t remember your past actions because they meant nothing to you. That’s the issue, Snowflake. To me, your very presence is a constant reminder of the chaos you caused. Do you honestly believe I owe you an explanation? Think again.”
Winter’s eyes widen in shock, her lips parting as she struggles to find the right words. “So, what, you’re just going to keep punishing me for something I didn’t even do?”
I glare at her, anger simmering beneath the surface. “I said shut the fuck up. You don’t get to question me or demand answers. Just shut the fuck up, until we get home.”
She falls silent, her gaze fixed out the window.
The atmosphere inside the car is thick with unspoken words, each syllable weighted with meaning. The engine's steady thrum and the whisper of the wind outside are the sole companions as we navigate the shadowy, deserted roads.
As we arrive at the house, the bright lights from the driveway illuminate the surroundings with an unforgiving brightness. I switch off the engine and adjust my position in the seat, inhaling deeply to steady my nerves.
“Get out,” I say, my voice cold. “We’re home.”
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