She''d just barely escaped Zane with her life, and now...

All of Zane''s crimes were out in the open for the world to see, but somehow, she still hadn''t managed to dodge the fate of being killed by him.

If that wasn''t fate, what was?

If the universe had decided that she was doomed to die at Zane''s hands in this lifetime, well... what could she do but ept it?

Seeing Elysia''s worried face, Winona just grinned, brushing it off with a shrug.

"Rx. I was just talking about the absolute worst-case scenario. Trust me, Zane''s not going to take me out that easily!"

"I''m not exactly a pushover, you know? He can''t just walk in here and squash me like a grape."

"Yeah, him being on the run could be dangerous for me, but hey, maybe it''s not all bad news."

"Maybe it''s the universe giving me a shot at taking him down myself, ever think about that?"

"Last time, if I''d killed him, I''d have been the one going to jail. I''d have had to make it quick-one clean shot, settle the score and move on."

"But this time? It''s different. He''s a wanted criminal now, all over the news. If he dares to show up and tries to kill me, and I take him out? That''s self-defense. Hell, I''d be doing the world a favor!"

"Honestly, I think the universe is handing me an opportunity—maybe it wants me to finish what he started and finally get my revenge!"

Elysia: “...”

Jessamine: ".....''

Anyone else in her shoes would be freaking out, terrified Zane woulde back for revenge.

Not Winona. She was already plotting how to take him down for good.

If the inte could hear her now, she''d have a whole army of fans kneeling at her feet, chanting "Queen!"

Jessamine gave Winona a look of pure admiration. Say what you will, but Jessamine loved her attitude.

"Look, Zane''s face is stered all over every news channel. He''s not sneaking in here anytime soon, not with the neighborhood security as tight as it is. He couldn''t get past the gates if he tried."

"Plus, you''re a celebrity. There are probably a dozen paparazzi camped outside just waiting to snap a photo of you. If Zane even pokes his head out, they''d probably report him before he ever gets close."

Elysia finally exhaled, nodding. Jessamine made a good point-getting to Winona wouldn''t be easy for Zane.

And honestly? Winona''s gutsy attitude was way better than if she was just sitting here, crying and scared.

"Tarquin said Keaton''s security guys are everywhere around the Manor,"

Jessamine chimed in. "They''ll watch out for you too."

"And Keaton''s not moving out anytime soon, so if you need anything, just ask him. He''s been

shamelessly bugging you for weeks-don''t feel bad about

returning the favor."  s

Keaton really had been a handfultely.

First, Winona had found him half-dead by the side of the road, brought him home,

and taken him to the ER.

Then, after he moved in next door, he needed her for everything.

She had to worry about his meals.

She had to remind him to take his meds.

If he was down and wanted to talk, or grab a beer, or y video games, it was

always Winona he called.

She''d even tried to hire a live-in

helper, but Keaton had

like to every

option said he didn''t like the guys and the women weren''t his type.  s

So who was left? Only Winona.

To be fair, he''d helped her through plenty of rough patches before, so she didn''t

really mind returning the favor.

Honestly, if it weren''t for Keaton, she''d have moved out already.

The Manor used to be her and

Zane''s “marital home.” Zane had

lived here too, and just thinking

about it made her skin crawl. She''d

been nning to sell it and start over somewhere new.

belongs to s

But with Keaton still on the mend, she couldn''t just up and leave. She''d at least

wait until his injuries had healed before packing her bags.

Winona reassured both of them, "You two really don''t need to worry about me. I like being alive, you know-I''ll be careful."

No sooner had she finished speaking than her video doorbell chimed. It was the building''s security desk.

"Ms. Newsom, there''s a Miss Sutton here to see you. Should we let her in?"

"Sutton? What''s her first name?"

"Beatrix."

Winona blinked in surprise. Beatrix Sutton? What was she doing here?