Chapter 59: Playing the victim

“Then… then my arm hurt so bad… and then, then Mom rushed in… I really don’t know how any of this happened, I really don’t…”

She wept torrents, every word ringing true—even her gaze so steadfast, so clear—as if the murder attempt truly hadn’t been her doing.

The other four children gawked at her masterful performance, eyes darting from one to the next in stunned silence.

What an actress!

Damn, this girl’s a pro.

Duoluosa marveled at her shameless gall; Asteris and Delucia gaped at the skill rivaling their own; Iluci stood frozen in the scene’s shock, limbs lost on where to land.

Liang Lai reeled a touch too.

She hadn’t processed yet—in healing Therilens’s crystallized arm, her mind looped on Duoluosa’s “Therilens tried to kill me.”

The floor-dropped knife, the wall-stuck blade, Therilens midnight in Duoluosa’s room… All pointed clear: Duoluosa told no lies—Therilens had come to kill.

But…

Liang Lai eyed Therilens’s wretched sobs, recalling the girl’s obedient days past—no killer vibe…

Still, if picking faith… Duoluosa, after four-plus months—her character, known.

“Therilens—tell me straight: you really blank on it all?”

Liang Lai stroked Duoluosa’s head soothing her eldest, while frowning at Therilens—eyes doubtful, but hungry more for truth and cleared name.

Meeting Liang Lai’s look, Therilens knew: stick to the script, play lost—steer her to “sleepwalking,” and turnaround loomed.

“I really didn’t know what I was doing then, really, Mom…” Therilens sniffled ragged, pawing her face-tears wild—oh so pitiable.

She fixed them all with earnest eyes—not just Liang Lai; sweeping the rest too—like deep in fog.

“I remember lying in bed asleep… No clue when I got up, left the room, grabbed a knife… This is so scary… Did someone frame me? I don’t remember grabbing the knife…”

The show left all dazed; Liang Lai sank into thought.

Duoluosa watched Liang Lai soften, panic spiking.

“Liang Lai, her eyes were open—how could she not know? She snuck the door quiet, shut it too! No way unconscious for that!”

Duoluosa’s every word rang fact, tone dead-certain—finger jabbing Therilens.

“I’d bet on it! She’s lying! Folks unconscious, asleep, sleepwalking—eyes shut, right?”

Liang Lai, who’d toyed sleepwalk in her head, swayed again—squinting wary at Therilens.

“You don’t… sleep with eyes open, do you?”

Some did, sure—but this? Coincidence stretch. Open-eyed wandering? Creepy as hell.

Therilens choked—but played natural, dabbing tears on.

“Dunno… No one’s told me. Can’t tell if my eyes stay open or shut… Mom, if you doubt… th-then watch me sleep tonight? See for yourself…”

She dodged yes or no—knowing no sleeper clocks their own lids; needed telling.

“This girl’s sly overload.” Asteris breathed to Delucia’s ear.

Delucia nodded buy-in.

“Sly, and lies without a flinch—really just sixteen?”

The twins’ stares glued to the doll-like golden girl.

Therilens stayed unruffled—no guilt flicker.

Liang Lai figured the watch workable.

“Some folks sleepwalk bad; some sleep eyes-open. Boot Therilens if walking… I’d wrong a good kid.” She thought.

“And she’s meshed smooth with the others these days—no spats, yields every time… No grudge—why snap-murder?”

So… take her up on it.

Liang Lai wavering spiked Duoluosa’s alarm—but mouth parted—when a “thump” sounded behind.

All eyes whipped.

Therilens’d dropped to knees, gazing Liang Lai with raw despair and fear.

“Mom… you ditching me? Mom! Therilens isn’t bad… Therilens doesn’t know what happened, really!”

She bawled hoarse-throated.

“If… if Mom keeps doubting… th-then tie me for sleep! I really blank after lights-out… why I’m in another’s room… If… if that’s not enough for Mom and sisters’ peace… th-then…!”

Therilens raised her hand high.

“Slap!”

She cracked her own cheek vicious—harder than Duoluosa’s earlier, even chipping inner-lip on tooth—blood flecking out.

Therilens’s lip oozed red—but inside, she crowed.

Perfect!

Only pathetic enough softens hearts.

“This… this ease Mom and sisters’ anger? Even… even if I blanked… b-but if this calms Mom and sisters…”

Her hands clasped prayer-tight at her chest.