SERAPHINA
The final bell rang like it was personally relieved the day was finally over.
I didn't rush. I never did. Let the peasants scramble out like ants. I took my time packing my bag, slow and deliberate, while the whispers trailed after me down the hallway.
Ice Queen Voss.
Did you see what she did to that scholarship kid?
Roman's girl is scary as hell.
Good. Let the rumors spread. Fear tasted better than respect anyway.
I walked straight to the student parking lot, heels clicking against the pavement. My silver Aston Martin sat right where I left it this morning.
Roman was already waiting by his black Range Rover a few spots over, leaning against it like he owned the whole damn lot. Ethan and Liam were piled in the back, probably ready to drag him off to whatever stupid after-school spot they always went to.
The second he spotted me, he pushed off the car with that cocky grin and started walking over.
"There's my queen. Come on, baby, hop in with me. I'll take you somewhere nice to make up for that cafeteria bullshit."
I stopped a few feet away, arms crossed tight, emerald eyes locked on him ice-cold.
"No."
Roman's smile dropped. "What?"
"I said no." My voice came out flat and sharp. "And stop calling me baby like I'm some dumb little toy you can grab whenever you want. I'm still pissed at you."
He stepped closer anyway, reaching for my waist like he always did. "Sera, come on. That scholarship trash spilled all over you. I was just trying to—"
"You were trying to make it about you again," I cut him off, stepping back so his hand swiped empty air. "I told you I had it handled. But you still hovered like some jealous guard dog the whole time. And don't even get me started on how you kept touching and kissing me in the middle of the cafeteria like I was your personal property."
Roman's jaw tightened, that familiar flash of anger in his eyes. "So what? You looked hot as hell shutting that kid down, but I'm not supposed to show everyone you're mine?"
"That's the problem," I said, voice dripping ice. "You don't get to decide when and where you mark me or put your hands all over me. Today you acted like I needed your permission to put someone in their place. Newsflash, Roman—I don't. And I'm sick of you forgetting that."
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "You're really gonna stay mad over this?"
"Yes." I gave him a smile with zero warmth. "Until you figure out how to keep your hands to yourself unless I say otherwise. Today was embarrassing. You made me look like I couldn't control my own boyfriend."
I turned on my heel before he could argue, heading straight for my Aston Martin. The door opened with that perfect soft click.
"Sera—" Roman called after me.
I didn't look back. Just slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and let the low growl fill the air.
Tess pulled up beside me in her range rover, window down. She'd clearly been watching the whole thing.
"Damn, girl," she said with a grin. "You shut him down cold. He's gonna be sulking all night."
"He deserves it." I adjusted my rearview mirror, still feeling that annoying heat under my skin from earlier. "He's been getting way too comfortable lately. Thinking he can just kiss my neck and slide his hands wherever in public like I belong to him. Today was the last straw."
Tess nodded. "Drive safe, queen."
I revved the engine once, letting it purr. "See you tomorrow."
I pulled out of the lot smooth and fast, leaving Roman standing there with his boys. No goodbye. Let him sit with it.
The drive home was quiet. Expensive houses and perfect lawns blurred past. My mind kept drifting back to the cafeteria. To Noah Callaghan on his knees, eyes wide and terrified behind those cracked glasses. The way his shoulders shook when I pressed my boot closer. The little tremble in his voice.
It should've felt satisfying.
But Marcus had to ruin the ending.
I smiled to myself as I turned into my gated driveway. The massive house rose up, all marble and money, empty as usual.
I parked the Aston Martin in the garage and headed inside, heels echoing on the cool floors.
Up in my room, I dropped my bag and stood in front of the full-length mirror. Hair still perfect. Makeup flawless. But my neck still had those faint marks from Roman's mouth earlier.
Annoying.
I grabbed a wipe and cleaned them off slowly, watching my reflection.
School was over, but the game wasn't.
Noah Callaghan thought today was bad?
Tomorrow I'd remind him exactly who runs Westfield.
And Roman? He could stay mad and figure it out on his own. I wasn't texting him tonight. Not until he learned his place.
I smiled at myself in the mirror, cold and sharp.