The Long Way Home

On the rooftop of a luxury penthouse in Haldenport. When Alina Jones, her husband's younger sister, made her sixty-third threat to jump, Cecilia Wright felt completely drained. So drained, in fact, that she briefly considered jumping with her. The police officer sighed helplessly over the phone. "Ms. Wright, how many times has this been? Just handle it yourself. Give her what she wants." For the past two years, she had surrendered every time. First, Alina demanded Cecilia wash her clothes personally, then forced her to slap herself, even made her kneel at the gate for an entire day and night… Each unreasonable request was more humiliating than the last. "It's all your fault, you b***h! If you hadn't latched onto Ethan back then, would I have gotten depressed?" Alina stood at the rooftop's edge, screaming, "Hurry up! Burn every photo of you and my Ethan right in front of me!" "Not moving?" Alina suddenly swung a foot over the edge. "Then I'll jump! Let's see how you explain it to Ethan!" Cecilia closed her eyes briefly. "Don't move. I'll get them." She rushed home, gathered all their photos, including the marriage certificate, and carried them back to the rooftop. Under Alina's watchful gaze, she burned them to ashes in a steel drum. Satisfied, Alina left, laughing triumphantly. Cecilia crouched on the ground, staring at the last corner of their marriage certificate photo as silent tears fell. She pulled out her phone and texted Ethan. Cecilia: Ethan, we should convince Alina to see a therapist. Today she... The message showed as read, but no reply came. After staring at the screen for a long moment, Cecilia finally stood, preparing to visit the clerk's office to request a replacement marriage certificate. The hall wasn't crowded. Cecilia showed the staff their electronic marriage records. After checking the system, the clerk frowned. "Ms. Wright, our system shows you're already divorced." "What?" Cecilia's mind went blank. Her voice trembled. "I never filed for divorce…" The staff turned the screen toward her. "The system shows the divorce was processed just days ago." Cecilia gripped her phone tightly, her hands shaking uncontrollably. She suddenly remembered that a month ago, Ethan had handed her a document to sign, claiming it was insurance paperwork. At the time, Alina had been throwing things in the next room, screaming for her attention, and she had signed without looking. Behind her, the queue grew restless. "If you can't handle it, get out! Don't waste everyone's time!" "What an i***t. Got dumped, and she didn't even know. Serves her right…" Cecilia didn't remember how she left the clerk's office. The sun scorched the asphalt, yet she felt a bone-deep chill, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. She hailed a cab straight to the Jones Group building. The president's office door was slightly ajar, laughter drifting out. Her steps faltered, her breath caught. Through the gap, she saw Alina Jones, who had refused to leave the house for two years claiming depression, now sitting on the sofa, smiling brightly. Meanwhile, Serena Brown nestled close to Ethan, placing a piece of ribs on his plate. "Ethan, did Cecilia complain to you again? That's all she's good for—whining with her tears," Alina said petulantly. "Don't you dare side with her!" Serena said softly, "Alina, honestly… Cecilia has worked hard taking care of you these past two years." "She deserves it!" Alina snapped. "If she hadn't clung to Ethan and stopped him from picking me up from school, how could I have been kidn*pped and tortured by those enemies?" Cecilia's nails dug into her palms. Ethan Jones frowned, conflicted, but remained silent, letting Alina's words stand unchallenged. "Ethan," Alina pivoted sharply, "when are you going to tell her about the divorce and kick her out?" Ethan replied quietly, "Alina, she literally has nowhere to go. Besides…" Alina interrupted, her tone razor-sharp, "Don't tell me you're having second thoughts? Look at Serena. She's beautiful, capable, far better than that woman!" "Alina," Ethan's quiet voice carried steel, "don't tip her off yet. I have other plans." Alina sneered, eyes glittering with malice. "If she stays, even better. I still have plenty of ways to mess with her." "Don't go too far," Ethan said lightly, though it sounded like tacit approval. Cecilia staggered back, tears streaming. Not only had she been divorced without her knowledge, but she was also the last to find out. Stepping out of the building, she watched the traffic flow past, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. This two-year farce was finally ending. If she was destined to be an outsider, she would make her own exit. Two years ago, for Ethan, she had severed all family ties, even swearing she'd rather die than accept the arranged marriage her grandfather had set in her childhood. Now that marriage was over, it worked out perfectly. It was time to return and finally enter the marriage she should have long ago.