Rhea's Pov The moment the words left my mouth, Fiona’s head snapped toward me. Her smile stretched, wide and crooked, eyes gleaming with a strange light that made my stomach twist. “Yes.” She whispered, “I enjoyed it. Every single second of it.” Her laughter bubbled up, sharp and uneven, echoing against the stone walls. It wasn’t the laughter of relief or joy, it was the laughter of someone who had shattered long ago and pieced themselves back together with hatred. “I thought the guilt would eat me alive.” She continued, her tone shifting suddenly, softening as if she were confiding in me, a friend, “But no… What I hated most was that I could finally understand them. I could understand the satisfaction of watching someone else’s suffering. I could understand why they smiled as they sold us. And that…” Her voice cracked, her hands clawing at her own chest, “That terrified me more than the blood on my hands.” The middle-aged woman trembled where she stood. The old man shifted his
Rhea's Pov “Connected?” Fiona repeated, her voice weak. She sounded like someone had repeatedly puffed out all the fire in her. She looked tired, tired of the world, tired of everything. Slowly, she raised her head to meet the eyes of the three people in front of us. “Day after day after day, I struggled to keep my heart in bay. I forced myself to watch each and every one of you rejoice on the blood and sacrifice that you have built. I made myself force the hatred that I felt for you down my throat just so that the day where I would see all of you cry and beg for mercy would come.” Fiona's voice got louder with every sentence she uttered, the corner of her eyes had turned red, veins protruding from her neck and forehead. “I watched as you drowned two innocent people who wanted to save children just for their purity. I watched as you all laughed and feasted after their death. I watched as you counted the money you made from selling your children to human traffickers with smiles and
Rhea's Pov The man’s steps faltered at Fiona’s words. The three of them turned sharply toward her, shock flickering across their faces. The younger man’s jaw slackened, the older man’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and even the middle-aged woman’s haughty expression cracked for the first time. “You…” The old man rasped, his voice low, “How do you know that name?” The younger man’s voice wavered, unable to hide his unease, “The Landi Family? Don’t tell me…” The woman cut him off with a harsh hiss, but it was already too late. Their surprise was written all over them. Fiona’s gaze sharpened like a blade, her voice calm but unyielding, “Answer the question. How did they die?” The room went deathly still. For a moment, I thought they would refuse, but then the middle-aged woman let out a sharp laugh, the sound so bitter it curdled the air. She stepped forward, her lips twisting into a cruel smile. “So you even know they died long ago.” She sneered, her eyes glittering with malice, “Th
Rhea's Pov “A wild girl? So she's not even your daughter?!” I questioned, glancing at Neveah who was still shaking in fear. I should have known. The way Neveah seemed scared of everyone in this place, especially this woman should have told me something. Despite my suspicions, I could have still stayed with her. Now she might get scarred from everything that has been happening.“She's just a child. How can you bear to do this to her?” Fiona gritted out, her eyes spewing out extreme hate.“A child? Why should I be concerned about her? If her real parents could dump her at the mountains without any care, then why should we be the one who'll take care of her? After all these years, at least we had fed her well and helped her, she should be willing to repay us in whatever way that she can. Now is the best time, so shut your dirty mouth and be obedient! We are the closest thing to a parent towards that girl, and parents are meant to be repaid for all the years they had sacrificed towards a
Rhea's Pov At first, I didn't understand what she meant. I was confused up until that middle aged woman took out the snacks for me to eat and I started feeling dizzy. I knew at that moment that those herbs might help me, I didn't even have time to think so the moment my head hit the bed, I instantly put all the ground up herbs inside my mouth, chewed twice and swallowed. So although I had started feeling dizzy, it slowly cleared and I woke up seconds later. I was awake throughout the time I was moved from the room to this place and even when I was chained up. But I just didn't think that they'd really leave me chained up. Pretending not to know was my best bet. “Miss Rhea, do you know why they brought us here?” Neveah questioned. “Well…” I frowned. As they carried me to this place, they were talking about how they had to get rid of us and then close the town so there would be no more tourists. Then they talked about how they would finally be financially stable after this whole thi
Rhea's Pov My eyes darted to the plate, then back to her face. I swallowed, keeping my voice light, “What’s in them?”She seemed delighted at the question, as though waiting for me to ask, “Oh, nothing strange. A bit of sun-leaf for clarity, ground moonseed for strength, and crushed honey root to sweeten the taste. All natural and healing. We eat them often here.”I tilted my head, as though pondering carefully. Every ingredient she listed was harmless, “That sounds wonderful.” I said slowly, allowing cheerfulness to coat my words, “I’m open to trying new things so why not?”Her eyes gleamed as she pushed the plate closer, “Good. Very good.”I picked up one of the parcels, unwrapping the leaf delicately. Inside was a soft, golden-brown ball that smelled faintly sweet and earthy. I hesitated for only a second before biting into it. The flavor burst across my tongue, honeyed and nutty, with a rich texture that melted easily. I hummed despite myself.“Mmm.” I said honestly, “This is del