Winter finally exhaled as she overheard Ningning mention Giselle's out-of-town trip.

They gathered to see Giselle off, and Winter found herself among them, a reluctant participant. She hated these forced group farewells.

The worst part arrived with Giselle’s departure. She pulled Karina into a long, familiar embrace, making Winter's fists clench. When Giselle stepped back, she whispered something in Karina's ear, too quiet for anyone else to catch.

Karina’s expression shifted briefly— a mixture of irritation and resignation before it was masked again. Giselle then smirked at Winter, before getting into her car and driving away, leaving a trail of dust and a palpable tension in the air.

Winter released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Giselle was finally gone. Karina called the team for a mission briefing. The room felt stiff with an underlying tension that had been building for days. Winter sat on the edge of her bed, trying to concentrate while Karina stood by the table, unfolding a map.

“This mission is from Colonel Park,” Karina stated, her tone professional. "Surveillance. We're heading to an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. Intel indicates unusual activity, possibly smuggling.”

Ningning leaned forward, already touching her tablet. “I’ll be handling the hacking and data retrieval once we’re in, right?"

Karina nodded. “Exactly. Tap into their network, extract files, and if there’s nothing valuable, disable their comms.”

Yuna raised a lazy hand. "I'm driving, I assume?"

“Yes. Get us out of there fast if things go south,” Karina replied, not looking up from the map.

Winter waited for her name, for some sort of assignment. But Karina continued outlining the plan, pointedly ignoring her. Ningning and Yuna exchanged a look, clearly aware of the omission.

Finally, Winter cleared her throat. "And what about me?"

Karina didn’t look up. "You'll stay in line and follow my lead."

Winter blinked, surprised. “That's it? Just follow your lead? What am I, some kind of extra?”

Karina shot her a sharp look. “You’ll do as I say. That’s all you need to know.”

Ningning shifted, muttering about the tension. Yuna busied herself, avoiding eye contact.

Winter’s fists tightened. She wanted an explanation, but Karina had already turned back to the map, making it clear the conversation was over.

The room felt colder. What was Karina’s problem? Why was she being so dismissive? And why did it bother her so much?

As Karina finished the briefing, Ningning and Yuna left, chatting quietly about the mission. Winter lingered, staring at Karina’s back, but before she could speak, Karina turned, her expression blank.

“You’re dismissed,” Karina said flatly, gathering her gear.

Winter bit back a retort, her jaw tightening as she left the room. Something had changed between them, and it was driving her crazy.

The car sped down the highway, the engine a low hum against the tense silence. The sky outside was turning to evening. Ningning drove, her usual cheer muted. Yuna fiddled with her phone, glancing at Winter and Karina in the back with an uncomfortable look.

Winter sat with her arms crossed tightly, staring at the passing landscape, her thoughts fixed on Karina. Karina’s face was blank, her eyes sharp as she stared out the other window. The air between them was thick.

"Are you just going to keep ignoring me?" Winter’s voice cut through the quiet. She turned to Karina, who didn’t even flinch.

Ningning glanced at Yuna, who widened her eyes, asking if she should intervene. Ningning shook her head, focusing on the road.

Karina didn’t answer, her gaze fixed out the window, as if Winter didn’t exist.

Winter’s fists curled. “Seriously? You’re unbelievable, Karina.”

“Winter, maybe just—” Ningning started, but Winter cut her off.

"No! She’s been like this all day—all week! One second she's normal, the next she's acting like I’m invisible. I'm sick of it.”

Karina tilted her head, but didn’t turn. Her voice was low, calm, yet sharp. “You’re being dramatic. You're the one who told me to leave you alone.”

Winter laughed bitterly. “Dramatic? You’ve been treating me like crap for days, and I’m dramatic? What’s your problem, huh? Did I do something you that i don't know?"

Karina turned, her gaze icy. “My problem is you can’t control your emotions. You think this is about you? Not everything is.”

Winter blinked, thrown off by the sharpness. But her frustration overpowered her confusion. “Oh, now I’m the emotional one? That’s rich, coming from someone who can’t decide how to treat people! First you’re cold, then you’re nice, then you’re back to ignoring me. Make up your mind!”

“Winter, maybe this isn’t—” Yuna began hesitantly, but Winter waved her off.

“No, I’m not done,” Winter said, her voice trembling. “You’ve been driving me insane, Karina. You think I don’t notice the way you look at me, the way you act around me? I’m not a piece on your chessboard, okay?”

Karina stared at her, then turned away, her voice low. “Keep in line, Private.”

Winter’s mouth fell open. “That’s it? After all that?”

Karina didn't answer, her hand on her knee, curled slightly, betraying tension.

Winter surged forward. "No, you don’t get to brush me off like that! I want an answer, Karina! What is your deal?”

Karina snapped her head around, eyes flashing. “Enough!” she barked, making Ningning flinch. “You will follow my orders. That's all you need to do.”

Winter stared, stunned.

“We’re going in together. You follow my lead, do as I say, and nothing else. Understand?" Karina's voice was almost a growl, her eyes boring into Winter.

Winter’s lips parted, but something in Karina’s expression stopped her. A flicker of something raw, unguarded. Not anger, but something just as hot.

Karina turned away, her jaw tightening. “That’s all. Now sit back and keep quiet.”

The tension was suffocating. Ningning and Yuna exchanged glances. Winter leaned back, her mind racing.

Fine. If Karina wanted to play the cold leader, then so be it. But Winter wasn’t going to let this go. Not by a long shot.