The Long Way Home

Chapter 6

When Cecilia woke in the hospital, Ethan sat by her bedside.

A flicker of worry crossed his eyes before being replaced by anger. His brow furrowed tightly.

"You're finally awake! Do you have any idea how close you came to dying? Thankfully, Serena called an ambulance in time…"

Cecilia's voice was hoarse. "Alina pushed me."

"And now you're turning it around on her?" Ethan's face went ashen instantly.

"She did push me!" Cecilia struggled to sit up.

"Shut up!" Ethan leaned forward, rage nearly boiling over. "They've already explained everything. You tried to hurt Alina, and Serena stopped you! Serena called the emergency services and saved you!"

"We can check the surveillance…"

"Check the surveillance?" Ethan cut her off, voice thick with disappointment and fury. "I've raised Alina since she was a child. Don't you think I know what kind of person she is? Serena is gentle and kind. But you—you've always resented Alina, and now you're trying to harm her! Cecilia, when did you become so petty and vicious?"

Each word struck like an icy dagger through Cecilia's heart.

She looked at the man who had once vowed to protect her forever. Now he hurled cruel accusations, unwilling to hear a single word of defense, unwilling to grant even the smallest shred of trust.

Cecilia closed her eyes briefly before pressing the call button. "I'm calling the police."

"Are you insane? This doesn't warrant calling the police!"

Before the nurse arrived, Ethan intercepted her. "The patient just woke up and is confused. She pressed the button accidentally."

Returning to the room, his face was stony. "If you won't rest, we're going home."

Without discussion, he forcibly took Cecilia back to the villa.

The villa was deathly quiet at night.

When Alina spotted Cecilia in the living room, she cowered behind Serena, trembling. "Ethan! She's trying to kill me! She wanted to push me into the river!"

Ethan softened his voice. "It's okay. I'll keep an eye on her. She won't come near you."

He moved to take Cecilia upstairs to a guest room.

But Alina clutched his sleeve desperately. "No! She'll come for me at night!"

Serena looked troubled. "Ethan, Alina's condition is fragile. Any more stress could—"

Ethan hesitated. Finally: "Then we'll lock her in the basement."

"You can't lock me up!"

Cecilia was dragged into the freezing basement.

In the darkness, she leaned against the wall, waiting for dizziness to pass. Then she remembered a servant once mentioning that an outdoor well pipe connected to the basement.

Feeling her way, Cecilia found the pipe and climbed out.

She crawled inch by inch through the darkness until she escaped.

The police arrived quickly.

Ethan put on a helpless look. "Officers, I apologize. My wife hasn't been mentally well lately, which is why she called the police unnecessarily."

Cecilia grabbed the officer's arm. "I'm not sick! He locked me in the basement—"

Before she could finish, Ethan interrupted.

His voice dripped with concern. "Something happened at home recently, and she's been paranoid, convinced I'm trying to harm her. I was just about to take her to a psychiatrist."

Seeing it as a domestic dispute, with Ethan appearing earnest and lacking evidence, the police simply advised better communication and left.

Once they were gone, Ethan's anger boiled over. "Cecilia, haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Alina, eyes red, sobbed. "Ethan! Cecilia will definitely sneak out to hurt me! If she dares call the police, what won't she do?"

Serena stepped closer. "Ethan, she knows this house too well. If she has any strength left, she'll find a way out eventually. And then Alina…"

"I didn't!" Cecilia snapped, trembling but defiant. "I never wanted to harm Alina. It's the two of them colluding to frame me!"

Ethan, seeing her unrepentant demeanor, barked at his subordinates: "Drag her back to the basement!"

Inside stood a waist-high wooden barrel filled with ice water.

The freezing water rose past Cecilia's chest, making her whole body tremble.

Ethan hesitated, opening his mouth to speak.

But Serena moved closer. "Ethan, Alina just had a nightmare, crying and saying she's afraid Cecilia will hurt her…"

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed before he coldly ordered the servant: "Begin!"

"Speak! Did you try to push Ms. Jones into the river?"

Cecilia shuddered but shook her head.

The servant pressed down on the back of her neck, forcing her under.

The freezing water covered her mouth and nose. Panic made her thrash until her vision went dark. Only then was she pulled back up.

"Cough… cough…"

Cecilia collapsed against the barrel, gasping, tears streaming.

Ethan dug his nails into his palms. "Enough…"

"Ethan!"

Serena's voice was sharp. "If Alina doesn't get closure, she'll never get past this. What if her depression worsens and she does something desperate?"

Ethan closed his eyes, turning away.

With a nod, the servant shoved Cecilia back into the water.

Her damp hair clung to her pale face; limbs were limp, barely able to struggle.

"Are you going to admit it or not?"

The servant's voice sawed at her nerves.

After several cycles, Cecilia couldn't endure anymore. With her last strength, she cried, "I admit it…"

Ethan turned, eyes red-rimmed. "You could have spared yourself this if you'd confessed sooner."

He stepped forward to lift her from the tub.

Cecilia flinched away like a startled cat.

Ethan's hand hung suspended before he coldly ordered: "Pull her out. Lock her in for the night. Let her think about what she did."

He turned and left, failing to notice Serena's significant look to the servant.