Alexander turned to leave, but hesitated, memories flooding his mind.
"Emily," he whispered, his niece's smile haunting him.
Alexander's thoughts swirled, guilt and anger warring within. He had sought vengeance, believing Amelia responsible for Emily's tragic fate.
Now, amidst the carnage, Alexander realized his grave mistake. Amelia's pleas of innocence still echoed in his mind.
With a heavy heart, Alexander knew he had to face Emily's memory, and the truth.
As he exited the cellar, Alexander's phone rang, shrill in the silence. "Alexander, it's Detective James. We've found evidence linking you to Amelia's disappearance."
Detective James, confident in his solo investigation, approached Alexander's location. But Alexander, fueled by desperation, tackled the detective and overwhelmed him.
In a fatal moment, Alexander's rage took Detective James' life.
Back to Emily
Alexander returned home, his blood-stained shirt a haunting testament to his crime.
As he entered, Emily, his niece, innocently played in the living room. Her eyes widened, noticing the crimson stains.
"Uncle Alexander, what happened?" Emily asked, concern etched on her face.
Alexander's instincts screamed to conceal the truth. "An accident, sweetie. Don't worry."
Emily's eyes blazed with a mix of fear and determination as she confronted Alexander. "You killed someone, didn't you? Amelia, the one involved in Father's death."
Alexander's hesitant nod sparked Emily's next question. "You shot her, didn't you?"
Alexander's reluctant affirmation hung in the air. But Emily's next words shook him to his core.
"I called Uncle Ethan when I couldn't reach you. He said you were busy taking away a woman's ,'dignity'. Don't lie, Uncle Alexander. You raped Amelia, didn't you?"
Alexander's face paled, his voice barely audible. "Keep it down, Emily. Yes, I did."
Emily's tears streamed down, her voice firm. "Swear to me you'll never do this again. If you do, I'll either be killed or I'll kill myself."
Alexander's eyes pleaded for forgiveness. "I swear on you, Emily. I'll never harm anyone like that again."
But Emily's expression shifted, her voice cold. "You weren't wrong, Uncle Alexander. Amelia was guilty. She killed Father."
Alexander's eyes widened, stunned. "What?"
Emily's words dripped with venom. "Amelia confessed to me before she disappeared. She boasted about manipulating you, using you for her revenge."
Alexander's world crumbled. His rage, his torture, his every action – all justified?
"Now, Uncle Alexander," Emily's voice hardened, "will you seek redemption or revenge?"
Alexander's eyes searched for validation, but Emily's words offered a nuanced truth.
"I did right," Alexander said, seeking affirmation.
Emily's expression mixed empathy with firmness. "But in the wrong way, Uncle Alexander. You need improvement in your personality."
Alexander's face fell, his defenses crumbling. "What do you mean?"
Emily's words cut deep, but with love. "Your thirst for revenge consumed you. You lost sight of justice, of compassion. You became the evil you sought to destroy."
