Life in the Cellar

The bodyguard dropped me off at the villa and took off.

I noticed him entering the code while he was unlocking the door. It wasn't the old password anymore—it was Joanna's birthday.

I limped inside and glanced around. It looked the same as it did three years ago, but it felt totally different.

A pair of men's and women's slippers sat by the entrance. They must have been Henry's and Joanna's.

Henry's bedroom had two pillows on the bed. His clothes were neatly arranged on the left side of the closet, while Joanna's occupied the right.

In the bathroom, I saw two toothbrushes and two rinsing cups next to a bunch of women's lotions and creams. It was obvious that Henry and Joanna had been sharing a bed for quite some time.

I shut the door behind me and stepped out of the room that was no longer mine. Then, I saw two people locked in a deep, breathless kiss under the dim moonlight.

I switched on the living room light.

Joanna's cheeks were flushed, and she looked shocked. Henry instinctively shoved her away.

"When'd you get back?" he asked, rubbing his temple. "I drank way too much tonight. If Joanna hadn't brought me home, I don't know how I would've escaped those drunks."

Then, he frowned at me and muttered, "Brina, this was supposed to be your job. If you hadn't acted like a maniac back then, I wouldn't have had to struggle so much these past few years."

I stood there, letting him go on with his complaints.

Joanna came out of the kitchen holding a cup of water. "Here, drink this to soothe your throat."

Her gentleness made her seem like a caring, considerate wife, especially compared to how scruffy I looked now.

Henry's irritation grew, and he let out a deep sigh. He chugged the water she handed him.

"Joan's on the hunt for a place, but until she finds one, she'll be staying with us," he said.

"I know. Your bedroom's already cluttered with her things," I said quietly.

His expression stiffened, and the cup slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor. He must've thought I'd continue staying quiet.

"You were in my bedroom?" Henry asked.

His deep, solemn voice and the sound of glass shattering instantly brought me back to the time I was stuck in that dark, moldy cellar.

My mind went blank, and I blurted out, "I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"

Henry was taken aback. After a beat, he stepped closer, looking puzzled. "Brina, what's wrong? I was just asking a simple question."

I didn't answer him.

Instead, Joanna let out a quiet sigh. "Sabrina, you really don't need to act this way. I had no idea you still hated me so much. It's been three years, and you haven't changed. You're not trying to fool Henry now that you're out, are you?"

Suddenly, something seemed to click in Henry's mind. "Is that it, Sabrina? How many times do I have to tell you? I was out that night on business, and Joan was with me. Why can't you trust me? Do you realize you almost killed her?

"You called her a murderer, and her career's ruined because of it! She can't even step outside without being pointed at and judged! Do you know how much she's suffered because of you? How can you be so awful?

"Y-You have no idea that Joanna nearly threw herself off a building because of you!"