Zaira 
I was biting my lips as I was about to lose my patience. I was standing in front of the bulletin board while waiting for the results, the lists of students that could come to Glacierbrook. I'm with Callista right now and I was fidgeting as I felt my nails buried into my skin, my heart pounded, I could hear it, I could even feel a bead of sweat in my brows as I could wait. 
“Zaira, calm down” I heard Callista patting me comfortably. 
I was about to say something when she interrupted. “We talked about this, you'll get it if it doesn't , they're all idiots” she said as I could feel the sharp words in her mouth, yet she managed to smile. 
A few students ahead of me stepped aside as a staff member pinned a piece of paper onto the bulletin board. The moment he walked away, the crowd surged forward, eager to check their names.
I quickly squeezed into the crowd, forcing myself into the tight space until I reached the front. My eyes scanned the list—Zaira Winter Coffey. I passed? I got in!
“Cal! I got in!” I shouted, pushing through the crowd as I ran toward her.
“Really? No way!” We grabbed each other’s hands, jumping excitedly, words spilling out in bursts. I was so happy—she was happy—we kept jumping until we finally hugged.
“We should tell everyone!” Cal said excitedly. 
“Yes!” I exclaimed. 
I spotted Caden with some of the students patting his shoulder, our eyes met and he smiled at me. I knew he got in as well, Callista dragged me away from the crowd as we went to the cafeteria meeting the other girls. 
Later, as I shared the news with my girls, they celebrated just like Callista and I had. We excitedly chatted about the possibilities, our laughter filling the air.
Then, a strange sensation crept over me—like someone’s gaze was fixed on me. A sudden shiver ran down my spine.
I glanced around, scanning the crowd. Some students met my eyes, their expressions unreadable, as if something was off. I swallowed hard, trying to shake the feeling.
“Zai, you alright?” Ainsley asked. 
I looked at her, and she pulled me out of the void of anxiety. I forced a smile.
“Yeah, I’m alright,” I answered.
“I see, you look bothered” she said, Callista and Stella looked at me and began looking around. I followed their gaze yet everything was normal. 
Students were laughing, chattering, eating. That's weird. I silently sigh yet felt relieved. “Is there something bothering you?” Stella looked confused. 
“Seems fine to me, except for that one girl who wore braids,” Callista said coldly.
“Do you have new enemies again?” Stella asked her, confused. 
“She's right,” Stella said. “So, any plans for tonight?”
“None, really. Just finishing some assignments,” Ainsley replied.
“How about a girl’s night out?” Callista suggested, flashing a smile.
“Not tonight, guys. I already have plans,” I said.
“I know where this is going,” Ainsley giggled.
I smiled. “Kind of, but I promise I'll catch up with you soon.”
“Zai, don’t worry, I know you will. Just tell us all about it after, alright?” Stella winked.
“Do you still need my help picking an outfit?” Callista asked with a grin.
“You know I do,” I chuckled.
“I’m coming too,” Ainsley said.
“Don’t leave me behind!” Stella added.
Laughing, we all headed to our dormitory, with Callista and the others debating which color I should wear tonight.
                              Thorne 
I've known Zaira got into Glacierbrook, though aside from that it's a good opportunity to have an experience there. I remembered what she told me when she had that nightmare. I also remembered what North brought news to me. Yet, I couldn't just hate her because she shares Zenith’s blood. 
Yet part of me is still in rage, craving for revenge. My parents wouldn't be dead if Zenith didn't lure me that day. I let the wine hug my tongue—bittersweet. Zaira will be here soon, I promised her if she got in we'll celebrate it together. 
A sudden knock at my door and immediately opened it, it was Butler J.
“My Lord, Lady Zaira is here” he said. 
"I'll be there in a minute," I said. He gave a slight bow before quietly closing the door.
I stood up, making my way toward it. Each step echoed, mirroring the turmoil in my mind. Should I go? Should I stay? I had convinced myself that Zaira wasn’t like the one who took my parents—but a part of me still wavered.
No, not her. 
She stood on the balcony, the light blue silk of her dress draping over her figure, blending seamlessly with her pale skin. The fabric clung just enough to hint at her form, the soft glow of the evening making it almost ethereal. Her white hair—almost silver—caught the light as it bounced over her shoulder. Then she turned, her lips curling into a smile, and for a moment, everything else faded.
But then it hit me—a flash of memory, the photo of her mother. Zenith’s face staring back at me, the woman who dragged my parents to their deaths. The admiration in my chest twisted, soured. That same beauty, that same haunting presence—it was in Zaira, too. My hands curled into fists. The warmth I felt just seconds ago turned to ice, then to something worse.
Rage. Revenge.
“Thorne” her soft voice echoed in my ear, calming all my systems. I looked at her again and she looked worried. 
“Are you okay?” she asked again. 
I stepped toward her, each stride heavy with the battle raging inside me. My emotions clashed—rage against reason, hatred against something I refused to name. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her. But instead of pushing her away, I found myself pulling her in.
I was holding her.
The warmth of her body pressed against mine, yet my mind screamed at me to let go. She was the daughter of the woman who destroyed my life. And yet… part of me didn’t want to ruin this moment, this night.
Just one night.
For one night, I would bury the fury. Let it sleep beneath the surface, just for now.
“Congratulations for making it into the list, flower,” I said, caressing her hair. 
"I'm looking forward to working with you," I said, pulling away gently, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
She smiled up at me. "I couldn't have gotten in without you. I have to admit, you suit the role of a professor more than I expected," she chuckled.
He smirked. "Trust me, it doesn’t. You, on the other hand, are a natural." I met her gaze, holding onto the moment a little longer.
“What are you talking about? You’re the one who's already successful, way ahead in your career,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully.
“Trust me, flower, you’re going to surpass me someday. I just know it. To be honest, I’m not that great, especially while I’m still a student,” he admitted with a grin.
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re being humble again.”
He chuckled. “No, for real. Let’s just say I don’t want to be known as an average doctor, so I work my ass off. But you…” He paused, a smile forming. “You’re the true genius here. The first time I met you, you already impressed me.”
I smirked. “I work myself too you know” I said. 
“I know you are, you're amazing” He said smiling. 
I couldn't help but be embraced by his warmth again. His words had a way of making my heart flutter.
“Do you always make women feel like this? Falling for you again and again?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
I saw him grin. “Is it working?” he asked, his hands softly caressing my cheek.
I chuckled in response, looking at him as his raven eyes trapping me from his gaze. 
“Only for you, flower” he said, tucking the strands if my hair in the back of my ear. 
“Good” I smiled. 
We shared laughter, conversation, and jokes. The wine tasted sweeter with each passing moment. We lost track of time, enjoying each other’s company.
“Happy?” he asked, looking at me.
“Very,” I replied, sighing in relief. “Thank you for celebrating this opportunity with me,” I added, giving him a soft smile.
“Of course. I’ll be there through every achievement you reach, and through your lowest moments. I’ll be there,” he said, his hand warm as it gently caressed my cheek.
“I know you would, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us,” I replied. He smiled softly before leaning in, capturing my lips. The bittersweet taste of wine faded, replaced by a tender, soft, and sweet kiss.
He gently pulled away from the kiss, still smiling, his eyes locked on mine. I could hear my pulse echoing in my ears. We were lost in the moment when, suddenly, he froze, his gaze fixed on the door.
Confused, I looked toward the door but saw nothing except the curtains swaying in the wind. He stared for just a few seconds. I glanced back at him, confused and concerned—he was acting strange.
“Thorne?” I called softly.
He immediately looked at me, his face tense, but it softened as he met my eyes. “Can I be excused?” he asked.
I was taken aback but quickly shook it off. “Of course, I’ll be waiting,” I said, giving him a smile.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. I nodded in response as I watched him walk away, his steps quickening. In that moment, a nagging feeling grew inside me—something was wrong.
A few minutes later, I still couldn’t calm down. Thorne’s strange behavior kept nagging at me, and I knew something was wrong. I stood up and walked quietly down the hallway, searching for him.
My stomach twisted as my heart pounded, and the nervousness I felt grew, even though I wasn’t sure why. I hadn’t considered the idea that Thorne might have another lover—I didn’t think that was the issue. But something felt off, and my curiosity pulled me forward as if I had to uncover something important.
I paused when I noticed a door slightly ajar, yellow light spilling out into the hallway. I could hear muffled voices coming from inside. I should turn back, but my feet moved on their own, drawn toward the door.
"You’re not supposed to be here," Thorne's voice cut through the air, filled with a rage I hadn't heard from him before.
"I was happy that I did," a familiar voice echoed back, sharp and confident. "Have you forgotten about our plan?"
Thorne's eyes narrowed, his tone biting. “I’m not an idiot. I remember.”
I should go-l shouldn't be here. I turned to leave, but then I overheard something that froze me in place.
“Then why are you still with that woman?
Do I have to remind you she's a threat to you!?”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
“You have a plan, you stick to it! We still don't know what that woman's background is. She's still a threat. Have you forgotten what she did to your parents, Ackerman!?”
My pulse quickened. My stomach twisted in confusion as the words echoed in my mind. A mix of emotions flooded through me, but I couldn't move, couldn't speak. I was paralyzed in shock.
“I don't!” Thorne's voice rang out, filled with defiance. “I know! That's why she's here! I need to know more about her parents. She's the key to my revenge!” 
“Is she?” North's voice was cold, mocking. “Or are you just going to fuck her like you used to?”
I froze. Tears began to fall from my eyes, and I couldn't stop them. My knees shook, threatening to give out beneath me. I pressed my hand over my mouth, stifling any sound that might escape.
I heard Thorne whisper something, but the words were muffled.
“Oh really? You really have bad decisions. One is falling in love with a woman, and a student, no less. What's worse, you fell in love with a woman who killed your parents,” North growled.
I heard whispers, I couldn't hear them clearly, North’s voice echoed still. 
“Really?” his voice mocking. “Or are you just going to fuck her like you used to?”
I froze. Tears began to fall from my eyes, and I couldn't stop them. My knees shook, threatening to give out beneath me. I pressed my hand over my mouth, stifling any sound that might escape.
I heard Thorne whisper something, but the words were muffled.
“Oh really? You really have bad decisions. One is falling in love with a woman, and a student, no less. What's worse, you fell in love with a woman who killed your parents,” North growled.
I heard another whisper, but I couldn't make it out. My heart ached, and I didn't want to know anymore. I turned to leave, but in my haste, I bumped into a vase, and it crashed to the floor.
I found myself stunned and frozen when footsteps were already coming. “Zaira?” I heard Thorne. 
I was crying still looking at him, behind him, a man—from the party I just met he looked at me blankly and I looked back at Thorne, surprised and shocked. 
“I-I’m sorry, I have to go” my voice cracked and immediately ran away. My feet can't stop running as I reach outside in the garden. I heard him running calling my name yet I wasn't looking back. 
“Zaira, wait!” His grip tightened on my wrist, but I immediately pulled it away.
“What was that, Thorne? You knew my parents all along?” I asked, my voice cracking.
“What do you mean by ‘my parents killed yours’ and ‘revenge’? What does that have to do with me?” I was confused, my mind spinning.
“Zaira, that’s not the point. Your parents are connected to mine,” he said, but I cut him off.
“You knew and didn’t tell me? How could you keep that from me when I’ve been desperate to know about them?” I exclaimed.
“Did I hear that right? I’m your key for revenge? Revenge for what? I didn’t know any of this, and now you’re dragging me into it.”
I was drowning in my thoughts, the questions swirling around me in a chaotic storm. His explanations didn’t make sense—they only raised more doubts.
“You’re just using me, aren’t you?” I spat out, my voice breaking. “Like a pawn in your game?”
He stood there, silent, just watching me.
“Thorne, h-how could you do this to me?” My voice cracked, and I felt my knees start to give way, the weight of the situation too heavy to carry.
“Zaira, please—” He reached out for me, but I yanked my arm away, my heart racing in anger and confusion.
“No,” I said, my voice trembling with raw emotion. “I can’t do this. Not with you. I need to leave.”
“But—” He stepped toward me, his desperation clear. “Zaira, listen—”
“No! Don’t you dare!” I screamed, my emotions boiling over. “I’ve been trusting you, and you’ve been hiding this from me? You knew everything, didn’t you? About my parents, you didn’t think I deserved to know?”
His silence was suffocating. I could see the guilt in his eyes, but it wasn’t enough.
“I was nothing but a fool, wasn’t I? A means to an end? To get what you wanted?” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. “How could you betray me like this?”
He reached out again, but I pushed him away, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Zaira, please,” he said, his voice full of regret. “Let me explain. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Explain?!” I shouted, my breath ragged with anger. “What could you possibly say to make this right? You’ve been lying to me! Using me! I can’t even look at you anymore!”
Thorne swallowed hard, his face a mixture of guilt and desperation, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t hear his excuses.
“I have to go,” I whispered, turning to leave, my chest aching with the weight of it all.
“Zaira, please,” he begged, his voice cracking. “Let me just—”
“No!” I screamed, my voice breaking under the weight of the pain. “I have to go. I need to get away from this. I need to breathe.”
I walked away, the tears still flooding down my face. He didn’t stop me. Part of me wanted him to, wanted him to explain, to fix this, but deep down, I knew it was too late. It was all too much, and I couldn’t handle it.