Winter’s eyes darted around the room, searching for anything that could help her.

Her breath came in sharp, shallow bursts, but before she could formulate a plan, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the far side of the room.

She spun around, and her blood ran cold. Emerging from the shadows was Sei Eo, her face twisted into a wicked grin, a gun casually resting in her hand.

“Miss me, Winter?” Sei Eo’s voice dripped with mockery, her dark eyes gleaming with malice.

Winter froze, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Sei Eo?” she breathed, disbelief mingling with fear. “What… what are you doing here? How are you even—”

“How am I here? How am I out?” Sei Eo interrupted, her laughter sharp and cold. “Oh, Winter. Always asking the wrong questions. You should be asking, why am I here?”

Sei Eo’s words made Winter’s stomach churn. “What do you mean? Where is Yuna?”

Sei Eo snapped, her tone dripping with disdain. “Ahh Yuna... stupid little kid, too easy to manipulate.”

Winter’s eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. “Yuna… working with you?”

Sei Eo laughed again, the sound grating and hollow. “Yuna doesn’t even know who she’s dealing with. She’s nothing more than a pawn in my game.”

Stepped closer, towering over Winter like a predator cornering its prey. “Did you really think I’d just stop?” she asked, her tone calm but laced with venom.

“That I’d let you and your stupid president live your happy little lives after everything you’ve done to me? In your stupid little relationship?”

Winter swallowed hard. “You’re insane,” she said quietly.

“Am I?” Sei Eo raised a brow, her grin widening. “Tell me, Winter. How did it feel, watching my father get kicked off the school board? Letting me rot for years?”

"I-I," Winter’s breath hitched. She had suspected Sei eo will return but not this fast, but hearing Sei Eo words so casually sent a shiver down her spine, especially with the gun waving around.

“And you,” Sei Eo continued, leaning in close. “Poor, pathetic Winter. Always reaching for things out of your grasp. Acting so self-righteous, so mighty, when all you’ve ever done is leech off the rich. You disgust me.”

Winter’s heart raced, clinching her fist, her fear mounting. But a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her that this wasn’t like her nightmares—this time, Karina wasn’t here. If she could just keep Sei Eo focused on her, maybe Karina would stay safe.

She took a shaky breath, her voice trembling but steady enough. “Sei Eo, you don’t have to do this. This won’t solve anything. Whatever you’re angry about, we can talk it through.”

Sei Eo’s laugh was sharp and cold, eyes darkened with rage, her face twisting into an expression of pure malice. She suddenly move, her movements sharp and unpredictable, pointing the gun directly at Winter.

“You know what?” Sei Eo spat, her voice trembling with venom. “Karina is next. I’ll make sure she suffers more than you ever will.”

The words were like ice slicing through Winter’s chest. Her breath caught, and for a moment, everything seemed to slow.

Sei Eo’s finger inched toward the trigger, pressing on her head and Winter’s instincts screamed at her to move, to fight back—but her body felt frozen.

This is it, she thought, her eyes fluttering shut as if bracing herself for the inevitable. If this is how it ends… Karina, I’m so sorry.

The deafening crack of a gunshot shattered the silence, ringing out like a final toll.

Winter flinched, her whole body trembling, but… nothing. No pain. Slowly, tentatively, she opened her eyes.

Sei Eo was on the floor, her body twisted awkwardly, blood pooling beneath her shoulder. Her face was contorted in pain, her hand clutching the wound. Everything around Winter seemed blurred, like a smudged painting, as shouts filled the room.

“Freeze! Don’t move!”

Officers stormed in, their guns trained on Sei Eo as one of them moved swiftly to kick the firearm out of her reach.

Winter’s legs buckled, and she crumpled to her knees, the world spinning around her. Her vision blurred further as a familiar figure rushed in through the chaos.

“Winter!” Karina’s voice cracked with emotion, and before Winter could register what was happening, Karina’s arms were around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

The warmth of Karina’s body against her own broke through Winter’s haze. She blinked, her gaze focusing slightly as tears streamed down Karina’s face.

“I thought… I thought I’d lose you,” Karina choked out, her voice trembling with relief and fear.

Winter’s arms weakly wrapped around Karina, her own tears falling freely now. Karina held her tighter, as if trying to shield her from the world.

“It’s over. You’re safe now,” she murmured, though her voice wavered as if she didn’t entirely believe it herself.

Winter didn’t respond. She stared past Karina, her body trembling as the weight of what had just happened began to sink in. She was alive, but the fear and shock still gripped her, refusing to let go.

Karina gently guided Winter’s head to rest against her chest, softly stroking her hair.

“I’m here,” she whispered again and again, as if trying to anchor both of them at this moment.

Winter closed her eyes, clinging to Karina’s voice, her touch, her presence—anything to remind herself that she was still here. Still alive.

—

Earlier Yuna returned back, her steps hesitant, heart pounding in her chest. Worried about Winter. Seieo threatened her with videos of her at a bar. It was her first time partying with her friends, and carried away. If Ryujin sees them… she'll be dead.

At first, Sei Eo seemed friendly and reached out and somehow had the video and asked to follow Karina and Winter, to keep tabs. And when Yuna told her she can't do it anymore and she’d just let Ryujin know anyway.

Seieo promised this would be the last time. To just get Winter to leave the dorm, which in return for the videos and never bother again. If not, will be sent to her parents. When asked what she was planning to do, Seieo just said they'll talk. Nothing else.

Yuna barely cracked the door open, her breath catching in her throat at the chaos inside. The sight froze her in place: Seieo with a gun, with Winter.

Her stomach twisted in guilt and fear as she slowly backed away, her hand shaking as it reached for her phone. Tears blurred her vision as she fumbled to call Karina.

When Karina picked up, Yuna’s voice broke. “I'm sorry… it’s all my fault,” she sobbed, her words tumbling out. “Sei Eo—she threatened me. And Winter—”

Karina’s voice was firm, though laced with worry. “Where?”

—

Yuna hung up, clutching her phone to her chest as the weight of her actions bore down on her. She prayed Karina and the police would arrive in time, but guilt gnawed at her insides.

It wasn’t long before she heard the commotion of sirens and hurried footsteps. Karina burst into view with Ryujin close behind, both of their faces pale with urgency.

As the officers restrained Sei Eo and escorted her out, Yuna stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her shoulders slumped under the heavy weight of shame, but when Ryujin approached her, Yuna flinched, expecting anger.

Instead, Ryujin pulled her into a firm embrace, her voice soft but resolute. “We'll… we’ll talk about it later. For now, you’re okay, right?”

The unexpected kindness broke whatever composure Yuna had left. She buried her face in Ryujin’s shoulder and sobbed, her hands clutching the fabric of her sister’s jacket as her guilt poured out in tears.

Nearby, Karina knelt beside Winter, who was still shaken but stable in her arms. Karina glanced over at Yuna, her expression a mix of understanding and pain, before shifting her focus back to Winter.

As Sei Eo was led away, Yuna’s sobs echoed softly against the fading chaos.