CHAPTER 83
**ZION**
Just ten minutes ago, I’d promised myself to let Winter off for the day. I’d planned to save my anger for later, keep it under wraps, and maintain a shred of self-control. But all that resolve evaporated the moment her sharp, cutting words struck me like a slap to the face.
*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.*
She has no idea. Not a single clue about what I’ve endured—about the hell she put me through.
Because of her.
She wants to play innocent, to act like she’s never done a damn thing wrong like she’s some victim in all this? She’s in for a brutal wake-up call.
“She’s just venting after everything she’s been through today,” Ronald murmurs, gripping my shoulders as if that will calm me. “Just let it go, Z. Don’t let her get to you.”
I wrench my gaze from him, my eyes fixated on the spot where she’d stood only moments ago, her words still ringing in my ears like a taunt that won’t fade. She’s gone now, but somehow, she’s everywhere, an irritating pulse that I can’t ignore, a splinter that’s dug deep under my skin. I feel my fists clenched, every muscle in my body wound tight with the fury I’ve tried to contain, to lock away.
The truth is, I’ve been through it all, and somehow, Winter Johnson still finds a way to crawl under my skin, to make me feel like nothing else matters but putting her in her place. The gym won’t be enough to release this rage—not today.
"Well she obviously hasn't been through enough!"
A dark grin spreads across my face as I imagine the countless ways I can make her suffer. It’s not like me to find pleasure in someone else’s pain, but the fire Winter’s ignited in me is forcing me to reconsider. The thought of seeing her broken, her smug defiance crumbling right in front of me, fills me with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
“What’s with that grin?” Ronald’s voice breaks through, his gaze flickering with a mix of curiosity and caution.
I glance at him, my expression sharpening. “I think breaking Winter down is going to be... more satisfying than I imagined,” I say, my tone carrying a dangerous edge.
Ronald raises an eyebrow. “Is that right? And why’s that?”
I let his question hang unanswered, savouring the anticipation. The image of Winter’s confidence crumbling under the weight of what I’m planning is enough to keep me silent. The thought fuels a dark satisfaction within me, feeding the slow-burning fury I’ve held onto for far too long.
“I’m heading to the administration office,” I say, my voice cold and final. “I want Winter’s class schedule. Every single place she’ll be.” I don’t need to spell out the reason—Ronald knows me well enough to understand that I’m gathering intel, mapping out her routine, plotting where to strike. He just watches me, calm and unfazed. He knows that once I’m focused, nothing will sway me.
“I could grab her schedule for you,” he offers, glancing at me with a wary look.
“You’ve got that murderous look right now, Z. Probably better if I handle it before you scare the hell out of some secretary.”
I shoot him a sharp look. “I don’t need charm to get what I want, Ronald. I could walk in and demand it, and they’d give it up without question.”
"Right," Ronald sighs. "Anyway, I overheard Claire saying she would be skipping PE today for some meeting. Seems like Claire’s been her crutch all morning. With her out of the way… well, you might just have the perfect moment to teach Winter a lesson she won’t forget."
A wicked idea takes shape, and I feel a slow, dark smile spread across my face. With Claire out of the picture, Winter will be vulnerable—no one to lean on, no one to shield her. She’ll be exactly where I want her: alone, exposed, and at my mercy.
I clench my fists, feeling that dark satisfaction coil within. I glance around, then turn to Ronald with a calculating look.
“Spread the word...to everyone in PT. You know what to do,” I say, my voice cold and deliberate. “And make sure Cindy and her squad are on it. I want Winter so rattled she won’t know what hit her.”
Ronald nods, catching the glint in my eyes.
“You got it. We’ll make sure she knows she’s not safe.”
A twisted satisfaction simmers under my skin as I picture Winter’s reaction, realizing there’s nowhere she can escape. She’ll feel the weight of my presence everywhere—until she understands exactly who’s in control.
“Keep me posted,” I tell Ronald, my voice low.
"And don’t forget—grab Winter’s full schedule," I add, my tone laced with dark anticipation. "I want every detail, every class, every break, down to the last minute." I lean in, my voice dropping to a whisper.
"And make sure you’re back for P.E. It might just be... more entertaining than usual today."
I let the thought hang between us, imagining Winter’s every move tracked, her every safe corner compromised.
He gives me a wary look, leaning in closer.
“Just don’t push it too far, alright? The last thing we need is for you to end up in trouble, especially not here.”
I smirk, letting the words roll out in an icy whisper. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m just planning to give her a little preview of what’s coming. She’ll get the message, loud and clear. I’ll make sure she’s too scared to cross me—ever again.”
As I sat there, plotting my next move, a girl walked by, throwing me a sly smile that made my pulse spike. Maybe that’s what I needed—just a few moments of reckless distraction to take the edge off. Sure, Cindy had helped me blow off steam earlier, but the tension was still coiled tight.
“Catch you later, Ro,” I said, my gaze tracking the girl as she passed.
Ronald followed my line of sight and chuckled. “You’re something else, man. Just don’t keep us waiting for P.E.”
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