Chapter 16

As soon as Gus opened the door to the basement, Rose was blinded by the sudden burst of light. She hadn't seen sunlight for days, trapped in the sealed, dark space. For a moment, she couldn't react, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands. Then, remembering where she was, she jerked her head up. It was Gus! Rose lunged toward him like a drowning woman grasping at a lifeline. She threw herself at his legs, sobbing hysterically, "I realize what I did was wrong! I truly get it now! Please let me go, Gus! I don't want anything anymore. Just let me out of here, and I'll do anything you ask!" In just a few days, she'd lost a shocking amount of weight. Her body, which had grown fuller during pregnancy, was now gaunt and hollow. Gus looked down at her with cold detachment. "Once you've repaid everything you owe Amara, I'll let you go." Hope flickered in Rose's eyes at his words. She nodded frantically. "Yes, yes! I was wrong for slandering Amara. I was too desperate to stay by you