CHAPTER 81
**WINTER**
I’m frozen for a heartbeat before I turn around, looking up to meet the eyes of the man towering over me.
Zion
In the stark sunlight, his skin appears unnaturally pale, almost sickly. When his smile stretches wider, a chill creeps down my spine.
He’s got that smug, dangerous look on his face, his piercing blue eyes gleaming with amusement.
I try not to let my eyes linger on his sharp jawline, the way his black hair falls perfectly into place. His clothes fit him like a second skin, accentuating every chiselled muscle. I step back, needing to put some distance between us. I promised myself I would stay under the radar, keep quiet, and avoid trouble. But here he is—the root of all my problems—standing right in front of me, taunting me.
“How’re you enjoying the college experience, Snowflake?” he sneers.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than to harass little 'ol me?” The words fly out before I can stop them, venom lacing my voice as I glare at Zion, hating the way he gets under my skin.
He smirks, leaning lazily against the wall, his arms crossed like he’s got all the time in the world.
“No, not really. See, I can’t think of anything better than watching you squirm. It’s kind of my favourite hobby nowadays.” His eyes gleamed with amusement, the cruelty behind them barely masked.
I clench my fists, forcing myself to stay calm, but the smirk on his face only makes the anger burn hotter.
“You’re sick,” I hiss, my voice trembling with barely restrained fury, my fists clenching at my sides.
“Yes, I’m sick...I'm sick of you,” Zion sneers, each word laced with venom. His eyes gleam with a dark amusement as his lips twist into a cruel smile, the kind that makes my skin crawl.
To him, this is nothing more than a twisted game, and I’m just another piece to be toyed with.
He steps closer, his height casting a shadow over me, a display of dominance as if he owns the ground I stand on. The sharp, overpowering scent of his cologne floods my senses, cloying and invasive, making it harder to think.
“Did you enjoy lunch today?” His smile stretches wider, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes. There’s a mocking sweetness to his tone, like he’s savouring the moment, enjoying the power he holds over me.
“I couldn’t help but notice you've been... adding a little extra weight lately,” he says, voice dripping with mock sympathy as his gaze roams over me, lingering just long enough to make my skin crawl.
“So, I thought I’d step in for your sake. Had a little chat with Jimmy about... you know, cutting back on a few things here and there.
Gave him some tips on what you should and shouldn’t eat. Just to keep you in check.” His smirk widens, eyes glinting as he drinks in my discomfort with satisfaction.
“See? I’m not *that* bad,” he drawls, laying on a saccharine smile.
“And don’t worry,” he adds, voice slick as honey, “I’m only doing this for *your* good. You’ll thank me one day.”
I can feel the heat rising to my face, the anger bubbling up inside, but Zion just stands there, enjoying the reaction he’s provoked. His smile doesn’t fade; if anything, it grows more satisfied, like he’s achieved exactly what he wanted.
My fists tighten at my sides, every muscle in my body screaming to lash out, to wipe that smug grin off his face. But I force myself to stay still, the sting of humiliation burning hotter than the anger.
Zion’s gaze lingers on me for another moment, his eyes trailing slowly over my form, his smile never faltering. He knows exactly what he’s doing—reminding me just how much control he has.
My stomach churns, the humiliation hitting me like a punch to the gut. Of course, he did. I’d wondered why my usual lunch was switched out for something smaller, something bland. He’s always been controlling, but this—this was low, even for him.
I lift my chin, meeting his gaze with steady defiance. “If you weren’t such a bully, or hadn’t traumatized that girl, I wouldn’t have felt the need to get involved,” I say, my voice calm but edged with challenge.
A dark smile crosses his face, and he steps closer, his voice filled with mock disappointment.
“You shouldn’t have stuck your nose where it didn’t belong. And throwing that apple... tsk, tsk.” Zion’s voice oozes with mock disappointment, his breath reeking of alcohol so strong it makes my head swim.
*What’s with the day drinking, Zion?
“Not very bright, Snowflake. Not bright at all.”
I clench my hands into fists, biting back the urge to gag at the stench.
“Guess I was hoping it would knock some sense into you,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm
“I overestimated.”
His eyes narrow, and he growls through gritted teeth.
“Watch the attitude. If you knew what was good for you, you’d be hiding somewhere. Or better yet, apologizing to me in front of everyone.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t scare me, Zion.”
It’s a lie, of course—but I’ll never let him know that.
The urge to hit him, to wipe that smug look off his face, boils up inside me. But I don’t. I can’t.
Not here.
“Seriously? You’re pathetic,” I snap, my voice louder than I intended, echoing off the walls.
“Bully me all you want when we get home, Zion, but leave me alone here. I need this degree.”
His eyes flash with something darker, and he straightens up, stepping toward me, invading my space. The air between us thickens, and I can feel the tension coil, like a rope pulling tighter, ready to snap.
“And what if I don’t?” His voice drops to a dangerous whisper, his smile gone, replaced by a cold, calculating look.
“What if I decide to make every single day hell for you? What if I make sure you never feel safe, no matter where you are?”
His words send a shiver down my spine, fear mixing with anger, but I stand my ground, refusing to let him see how much he’s getting to me.
“You can’t keep doing this,” I say through gritted teeth, but the tremble in my voice betrays me. He notices, of course. He always does.
Zion leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear. “Watch me.”
“You know what, Zion? You’re a fucking joke. Hiding behind your cronies to do your dirty work while you strut around like some untouchable king. You think you’re so tough, but all you are is a weak coward with a fragile ego. Calling me a liar when you can’t even face your shit? I’m sick of your pathetic games and your childish bullying. You’ve got nothing on me, and I’m done playing your twisted little game.”
My voice is trembling, but there's a fire in it I've never heard before. I've always been the type to avoid trouble, to keep my head down and steer clear of confrontation. But something about this moment feels different, like there's a line that's been crossed, and I can’t bring myself to step back from it. Too bad there's no one around to stop me now, to pull me back before I make a mistake I'll regret.
I lock eyes with Zion, my voice steady. “I’m done with this crap. Do us both a favour and stay out of my way—I’ll be more than happy to do the same.”
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