Zarek POV
There’s something about conversations with Alex that stick like bad aftertaste. Her words had been looping in my head all day, sharp and sour:
I wanted to laugh it off. Wanted to chalk it up to bitterness, jealousy, heartbreak—whatever brand of poison Alex had decided to marinate in. But the thing was, it wasn’t just Alex saying it. Everyone had their version of Zara the villain.
And I couldn’t tell if I was the only i***t who saw through it… or if I was the only one being fooled.
I turned the corner, and there she was—pressed against the lockers, Atlas towering over her like a shadow. His hand was braced against the metal, blocking her escape. His voice was low, demanding. “Stop running from me, Zara. We need to talk.”
Her chin lifted, stubborn but trembling. “I said I don
