Page 78 of Ruthless God

“Well?” I press.

And I already know I’m not going to like what she says next.

“I… I…” Her eyes fill with tears, her whole body tensing like she expects me to hurt her. Then, in a desperate whisper, she says, “Please don’t tell Agnes you saw me. I wasn’t supposed to leave my room until later.”

My stomach tightens.

I take a slow step forward, lowering my voice. “Why doesn’t Agnes want you to leave your room?”

She hesitates, eyes darting past me, toward the hall, like she’s afraid someone is listening. Finally, her gaze locks onto mine.

“Because of you.”

The words slam into me.

I blink. “Me?”

Her lip trembles. “None of us are supposed to leave.”

None of us. An icy chill snakes down my spine.

“There are more?” My voice drops lower. “Where?”

She rocks her head, stepping back. “I can’t tell you, ma’am.”

My pulse pounds in my ears. There are others. Hidden. Locked away.

I keep my voice low, urgent. “Is Agnes hurting you?”

Rose’s eyes widen in panic, her head snapping toward the hallway. Then I hear the footsteps. Loud. Heavy. Approaching. Rose stumbles back, her hands shaking at her sides. And thenshe runs. Her bare feet slap against the floor as she disappears down the hallway, vanishing into the shadows before I can call her back.

Shit.

I barely have a second to process what just happened before Agnes appears. She comes from the opposite direction, her face twisted into a deep scowl.

“What are you doing out of your room?” Her tone is sharp and suspicious.

I’m torn. Every part of me wants to confront her, demand to know what the hell is going on. But I can’t. Not yet. Not when Rose is already afraid. Not when I know there are more people here. Not when I don’t know how far Agnes’ reach extends.

So instead, I smile.

Sweet. Innocent. Lying through my teeth.

“Just getting some fresh air,” I say lightly, tilting my head. “It gets a little stuffy in there.”

Her eyes narrow. For a second, I think she’s going to call my bluff. Then she nods once.

I turn away first, strolling casually back into my room like I don’t have a care in the world. Like I didn’t just watch a girl run for her life. I close the door behind me, pressing my back against it. A moment later, I hear her footsteps pass. I don’t breathe until they fade completely.

Then, exhaling slowly, I reach for my phone. Because whatever is happening in this house? I need answers. And I have a feeling I won’t like them, but I need to know.

How did you know Rose would be out there?

The same way I know you wanted to punch old Agnes. I have eyes everywhere.

Are you the creepy eyes I feel on me when I walk through the house?

What do you think?

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