The Sunday afternoon corridors felt unusually empty as Winter trudged along, her steps echoing softly against the quiet.

With most students hidden away in their rooms—some asleep, others buried in textbooks—the space held a rare stillness. She glanced down, her shoulders slumping as she breathed out a deep sigh, kicking lightly at the floor.

The mere thought of Karina’s brother visiting today, of all days, and their need to stay hidden around him gnawed at her, sparking a low frustration that simmered in her chest.

He was already suspicious, and she didn’t want to risk anything that might confirm his suspicions. Winter sighed again, this time more dramatically, as if the weight of everything would lift just a little if she could just exhale hard enough.

But then—a prickle ran down her spine. It was faint, like an itch she couldn't scratch, a sense of eyes on her that seemed to creep over her skin. She halted, her head jerking up as she scanned the corridor, the unease mounting quickly into something sharper. Her gaze flicked left, right, and then settled on a figure in the distance, darting down the stairwell.

Without thinking, Winter took off after them. Her breath quickened as she raced down the stairs, heart pounding harder with every step as she glimpsed the shadowy figure moving quickly ahead. She reached the bottom, pausing only to catch her breath and look around, her eyes wide with determination.

Her head snapped left, then right, and she spotted them again, just slipping through the doors leading outside. Her mind screamed caution, but her body had already started moving, legs carrying her forward before she even made the decision to go.

As she passed through the entrance, the chill of the open air nipped at her, sending goosebumps racing down her arms. She noticed the figure just ahead, walking towards the edge of campus.

There was a strange calm to the scene, the kind that almost felt wrong, like she’d stepped into a dream. The quiet, deserted path ahead of her amplified every step, and as she closed in, the hairs on her neck prickled.

Winter's pace slowed, her instincts flaring as the figure ahead rounded a corner. She took a breath, steeling herself, and quickened her step, following in their shadow until she reached the bend.

But as she turned the corner, her feet froze, her stomach lurching with shock.

Standing there, blocking her path, was her father.

Mr. Kim’s face was a mask of barely-contained anger, his eyes sharp and cold, fixed on her like she was prey he’d cornered.

Winter’s heart slammed against her ribcage, and she instinctively took a small step back, fingers clutching her sides as if trying to protect herself.

“There you are,” he spat, his voice dripping with fury as he took a menacing step closer. Winter swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, her throat tightening with a wave of dread that washed over her in a chilling surge.

Mr. Kim’s presence loomed closer, his face twisted with irritation, and Winter felt her muscles tense, instinctively bracing against the words she knew were coming.

“So, this is where you’ve been hiding,” he sneered, his voice low and cutting.

“I’ve been scraping by, drinking the dregs, and you’re out here living it up, ignoring me like I’m nothing? After everything I’ve done for you?”

Winter’s eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching.

"I don’t owe you anything,” she replied, struggling to keep her voice steady.

“I’ve tried to help you—again and again, but you just—” She stopped, her voice cracking, as frustration boiled within her.

He scoffed, cutting her off.

“You? Help me?” His laugh was cold and bitter.

“You’ve done nothing but abandon me. Ungrateful child, after all the sacrifices I made, and this is how you repay me? Running away, leaving me to rot?”

Winter took a shaky breath, summoning whatever strength she could find.

"Sacrifices? All you ever cared about was your next drink. You never cared about me. I’ve been the one taking care of myself, picking up the pieces while you drown yourself.” Her voice was strained but unwavering, matching his glare with her own.

But Mr. Kim’s face darkened, and his voice dropped to a menacing tone.

“You really think you’re something, don’t you?” he spat.

“Your mother would’ve been ashamed, watching you turn into this selfish, ungrateful brat. She was everything you’ll never be—she was obedient, she was respectful. You? You’re a disappointment.”

The mention of her mother hit Winter like a sledgehammer, the fight draining from her instantly. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Her chest tightened, the air feeling heavy, almost suffocating.

Memories of her mother, fragments she’d held close all these years, twisted painfully under his harsh words. She felt her vision blur, the sting of tears welling in her eyes as she stood there, vulnerable and small beneath the weight of his contempt.

Seeing her silence, Mr. Kim leaned in, his voice venomous.

“Your mother would have done anything to keep this family together. But you? You run, you hide, abandoning me like I’m some stranger. Do you really think anyone will ever want someone like you? You’re just like me—worthless.”

Winter’s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her shoulders trembling as she choked back sobs. She buried her face in her hands, the weight of his words pressing down on her, each one tearing deeper than the last. She felt like she was drowning in shame and guilt, each breath growing harder as she tried to hold herself together.

A voice broke through the silence.

“Winter!”

She blinked, looking up, her vision blurred with tears. Standing just a few steps away was Karina, her eyes wide with concern, her expression a mix of confusion and anger as she took in the scene.