Page 143 of Ruthless God

“That’s not fair.”

“Fair?” He exhales sharply. “Do you think any of this is fucking fair?”

His voice breaks at the end. Just a little. But I hear it.

I feel it.

I take a step closer, touching his arm, but he yanks away.

“Don’t.”

My heart pounds. “Claudius.”

His hands go to his hips, his head tilting back as he drags in a rough breath. For a second, I think he’s going to snap.

But when his gaze lowers to mine again, I see something worse than rage. Distance.

“I need you to leave.”

This time, his voice is softer. But it cuts deeper. Because he means it. And if I push any further—if I demand more—I might lose him for good.

“Fine. But this isn’t over.” I touch his arm. “I care about you, Claudius. You have to believe me.”

“Go.” The word is a plea on his breath.

I don’t say another word because there’s nothing left to say. Not when I see it in his eyes. He’s shutting down.

I could fight. I could stay. But it wouldn’t change a damn thing. So I do what I said I wouldn’t. I turn and walk out.

But I don’t go back to my room. I don’t curl up in bed and let myself drown in this.

Because while Claudius is pushing me away, I still have a choice. I can either let this consume me or I can do something about it. And right now?

There’s only one thing left to do.

I move fast. I don’t know how much time I have before Claudius comes looking for me…if he even will. But I know one thing. I’m not leaving this house without answers.

Agnes had warned me to stay away from the basement. Leyla said the same thing. That means it’s exactly where I need to be.

I reach the farthest hallway, the one I wasn’t supposed to find. The door is heavier than I expected and it’s locked. But locks can be picked. It takes me a moment to find something that will fit inside the lock. My hands are steady despite everything.

Each second that passes by feels like an hour. What if someone hears me? What if someone comes looking for me? What if?—

The door groans as it swings open. The air inside is cold, stale. A staircase winds down, deeper into the house. A place no one wants me to go.

But I go anyway.

Because I need answers. Because I need to take control of something. And because deep down, I already know that what I’m about to find will change everything.

A chill seeps into my skin as I move down the stairs, the dim overhead light casting long, eerie shadows against the stone walls. The deeper I go, the heavier the air feels. Like I’m walking into something I was never meant to find.

My stomach twists, my instincts screaming at me to turn back. But I don’t.

Because if Gabriel is coming for me, I need to know why.

I reach the bottom of the staircase, stepping into a narrow hallway lined with metal doors.

Cells.

---