ZOE DEAN’S POV
I went to bed that night still thinking about the stranger — Damien, he said his na was. There was sothing about him that clung to my thoughts like smoke. But I brushed it off before sleep pulled under. What were the odds I’d ever see him again? Probably none.
The next morning ca too soon. My alarm buzzed like it was angry at , and I rolled out of bed with that heavy, restless feeling that cos after too little sleep. A shower didn’t help much, but at least it woke up enough to make it through the day.
When I reached work, the first thing I saw was Fredda standing outside the back exit. Her golden hair was a tangled ss. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and she looked like she’d just finished arguing with soone.
I frowned, stepping closer. "Fredda? What’s with that face?"
She looked up at sharply and then her expression softened. I was taken aback for a mont. "Hey girl, I wasn’t expecting you so early."
I sighed because indeed I needed more sleep. "I just had to co early. Anyway, that wasn’t the answer to my question. What’s with that face?"
She looked like she didn’t want to answer for a mont before she said in an angry tone, "I’ve given Helen a taste of her own dicine."
Her tone was flat, but her eyes still sparked with anger. I blinked, confused. I didn’t know what she an by that, so I asked, "Wait... what do you an?"
"I an I told her off." Her voice rose slightly. "I’m done watching that woman treat us like dirt."
I was shocked for a mont but I quickly composed. I didn’t even need to ask because I already knew Helen must’ve lost her mind last night when she found out I’d left early. "You fought with her, didn’t you?"
"I had to."
"Fredda..." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You shouldn’t have. I was the one who left. She should’ve yelled at , not you."
"Well, I couldn’t just stand there while she went off," she said stubbornly. "Soone had to say sothing."
I couldn’t help a small smile. That was so like her — loyal to a fault. "Still," I murmured, "thank you."
She gave a small nod, her anger softening just a little.
Inside, the air in the bar felt tense — like everyone had been holding their breath since morning. Before I could even hang up my bag, one of my coworkers rushed over.
"Zoe, Helen’s been waiting for you in her office. She’s been pacing since she ca in."
Of course she has.
I straightened my shirt, exhaled, and made my way down the narrow corridor. The closer I got, the more I could feel my heart picking up speed.
When I finally stepped into her office, Helen was pacing exactly as described. She turned the mont she heard the door shut behind .
"Good morning," I said quietly.
Her glare could have cut glass. "Zoe, where were you yesterday?"
My stomach dropped, but I kept my voice even. "I wasn’t feeling well, so I—"
"So you what?" she snapped, cutting off. Her voice rose sharply. "You left my business because you were ill?"
I blinked, stunned by the venom in her tone. "Helen, I—"
"Shut the hell up, Zoe," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "You’re not the first person to get sick."
I froze. "Excuse ?"
"The fact that you had your little episode doesn’t give you the right to abandon my bar."
My jaw tightened. "What do you an by that?"
"You heard ," she said, folding her arms.
Sothing in finally snapped. I’d had enough of this woman — her attitude, her fake superiority, her heart made of ice.
"Are you serious right now?" I said, raising my voice. "Helen, are you serious?"
Her lips curved into a cold smile. "Dead serious."
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
Her eyes widened. "Are you talking to ?"
I gave a dry laugh. "Who else would I be talking to, Helen? You act like you’re the only one whose problems matter. What’s your issue, huh? Who the hell hurt you?"
"Watch your tone!" she snapped, but I didn’t stop.
"No, you watch yours," I fired back. "Last month I got abducted right here — in this damn bar. One of your custors dragged out and what did you do? Nothing! You didn’t call. You didn’t check on . You didn’t even bother to pretend you cared."
Her eyes flickered, but she stayed silent.
"You just sat here," I went on bitterly, "eating, drinking, and acting like we’re all disposable to you."
"Zoe, are you out of your mind?"
I gave a hollow laugh. "Yeah, maybe I am. Because I’m still here, still working for you like an idiot. But not anymore."
Her expression faltered. "You’re quitting?"
"I’m done," I said, voice shaking with anger. "You’re an, you’re heartless, and you need help, Helen. Real help. Because you’re so full of hate you can’t even see the people who are trying to keep your business alive."
I tore the ID from around my neck, dropped it onto her desk, and stepped back. "I quit."
Her mouth opened, but I was already turning away.
"Zoe!" she shouted after . "Zoe, get back here!"
I didn’t stop. I didn’t even look back.
By the ti I stepped outside, my hands were trembling — not from fear, but from the kind of anger that sits deep in your bones. I should’ve quit a long ti ago. I should’ve walked out the day she stopped seeing as human.
I was done. Done with her, done with this place, done with everything.
Nero was God-knows-where, leaving to wonder if he’d ever show up again. And now Helen had decided to make my life miserable too.
I was tired — of pretending, of fighting, of trying.
I quit.
For real this ti.
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