CHAPTER 67
**ZION**
I stood beneath the shower, the freezing water crashing down on me as if it could wash away the chaos in my head. The chill gnawed at my skin, numbing me to the bone, but the fire burning inside only grew fiercer with every thought of her.
My temples throbbed, pulsing in time with the storm inside.
I pressed my palms against the slick wall, hanging my head low as the water dripped from my hair, cascading down my face like a mask. The cold was supposed to clear my mind, to freeze out the frustration and confusion that had taken root. But all it did was make me shiver.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head as the steam from the hot water mixed with the cold spray, creating a dizzying haze.
I couldn’t understand it. Why the hell was she still in my head? I’d cornered her in her room like some kind of lunatic, and for what? To prove a point? To show her that she couldn’t mess with me? But now I was the one getting messed with, and that only pissed me off more.
She was the one who’d come here and fucked everything up. She was the one making me lose control, making me do things that made no damn sense. Like spending the whole day parked outside that café, watching her laugh and smile like she didn’t have a care in the world. Like she wasn’t driving me to the brink of insanity.
The café itself was a joke—Johnson and Sons, seriously? It wasn’t some high-profile firm; it was just a small, local place where Winter was starting her first job as a waitress. Yet there I was, parked far enough away to avoid detection but close enough to observe her every move. It was pathetic. I knew it, but I couldn’t stop myself. I had no business being there, hiding like a desperate creep, obsessing over her every laugh and smile, as if they meant something.
The worst part was her scent lingering in my car. She’d been in it for barely ten minutes, but the fragrance clung to the upholstery as if it had imprinted itself. Each time I took a breath, that sweet, intoxicating aroma filled my nostrils, pulling me back to her presence. The subtle reminder of her made my frustration spike, and the anger I felt at myself for being so affected only added to my torment.
I had no date with Cindy. I don’t even date. I lied to get her off my back. But instead of doing something productive, I spent my entire day losing my mind over someone I shouldn’t even care about.
What the hell was I hoping to see?
Her falling apart?
Struggling?
Anything to prove that she was as messed up as I was? But no, she was just fine. Laughing with customers, chatting like everything was sunshine and rainbows.
Meanwhile, I was the one spiraling.
After keeping an eye on her until five, I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided to head to the party Clark had texted me about earlier.
But frustration drove me to leave early, only to come back to the cafe and watch her climb into a taxi.
Unable to resist, I followed her like the stalker I had become.
The water was starting to cool off, but the fire in my chest burned hotter. I couldn’t stand it. I was always in control, always knew what I wanted and how to get it. But now? Now I was standing here, shivering like a fool, because I couldn’t figure out why this girl—this complication—had gotten so deep under my skin.
I finally shut off the water, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for the towel. I rubbed it over my face with more force than necessary, trying to scrub away the lingering tension. The reflection in the mirror stared back at me—dark eyes, a clenched jaw, a man barely holding it together.
I didn’t know how much longer I could keep this up. The only thing I was sure of was that I needed to get her out of my system before I completely lost it.
I’m consumed by an urgent need to expel her from my mind. The only remedy I can think of is revenge—finding a way to make her pay, and maybe then, I’ll find some semblance of peace. For now, though, the only thing that seems to ease the chaos is getting even more hammered than I already am. It’s not a solution, but it’ll have to do.
I stumble down to the kitchen, where I find Clark and Ronald rummaging through my fridge. My irritation flares.
“What the hell are you two doing here? Don’t you have your own places to crash?” I glare at them. “Weren’t you both at the party with those girls? Losing your charm or something?”
“Nah,” Clark replies nonchalantly. “Saw you heading home and thought we’d drop by to keep you company.”
“More like you looked downright murderous when you stormed out of the party,” Ronald says, his eyes narrowing as he studies me.
“We figured you might be on the brink of doing something reckless with Winter, so we came over to make sure you don’t end up regretting it later.”
“Whatever,” I snap, brushing them off. I yank open the fridge and grab a couple of beers.
I slam down one beer after another, barely pausing to breathe. By the time I’m seven beers deep, the buzz starts to kick in, dulling the edges of my frustration.
“You okay, Z?” Ronald’s concern is evident as he glances at the pile of empty cans.
Usually, I don’t drink like this, especially not on a college night. But tonight, I need every drop of this alcohol to numb the relentless anger.
“Never been better, Ro,” I lie through gritted teeth. “Never been better.”
...........
**WINTER**
When I open my eyes the next morning, the first thing I do is touch the tender skin around my neck. It still feels as though his fingers are there, an imprint of his grip lingering on my skin.
Each of his fingers feels like a permanent mark, a cruel reminder of his presence. As I sit up, I notice that the room is bathed in sunlight, the morning light filtering through the curtains.
I spent the night tossing and turning, my eyes fixed on the door, dreading that he might come back. I replayed every interaction with Zion in my mind, searching for a moment when I might have lied to him, but each time, I came up empty.
I glance at my phone and see that it’s already past seven. I shake off the lingering frustration and focus on the task at hand—I need to get ready for my first day of college.
I rarely sleep this late, but considering the little rest I got last night, it's not surprising. It feels like I haven't slept at all. My muscles ache, and my stomach is twisted in tight knots.
I need to gather my strength and stand firm. I must find the courage to face this head-on.
He claimed I brought this on myself, but I have no idea what he meant. I need to take action, even though my hands are trembling and panic has a tight hold on me. I don’t feel safe here—only overwhelmed by anger and fear. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that I can’t allow him to invade my space and mistreat me like this ever again.
I have to do something.
Anything.
As I brush my teeth, I take a closer look at myself in the mirror. I look pale and unhealthy, with ashen skin and lifeless eyes. Dark circles linger under them, and I’m startled to see no visible bruises on my neck. I don’t bruise easily, but I was convinced he would have left marks from yesterday.
Zion used to be kind to me when we were kids. We first met at an office party my dad dragged me to, but as we grew older, our paths crossed more frequently at various events. Despite these memories, I can’t recall ever lying to him or doing anything that could have affected his family. I try to push away the image of him as that kind boy and focus instead on the man who's been threatening me since I arrived.
They are two entirely different people.
.......
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
