Riley feigned disappointment, her shoulders slumping, leaving Kirine momentarily speechless. The realization struck Kirine that she must have been close enough to Riley to speak informally, yet she had no recollection of the past eight years to confirm this.
Fortunately, Riley’s expression softened as she gently cupped Kirine’s cheeks. The unexpected touch startled Kirine, but Riley’s actions felt so natural, as if they had been performed countless times before, that Kirine managed to conceal her surprise.
Riley stroked Kirine’s cheeks and spoke tenderly, “Let’s do away with these unnecessary formalities between us.”
“Yes,” Kirine replied.
“Yes?” Riley questioned.
“I mean, sure,” Kirine clarified.
“Now that’s more like my sister-in-law,” Riley said, a pleased smile spreading across her face. However, the smile was short-lived.
Ares approached quietly and motioned with his chin, indicating that he needed to speak with Riley privately. She attempted to ignore him, feigning obliviousness, but Ares’s persistence compelled her to follow him reluctantly.
***
Even as Riley and Ares settled into their conversation, her gaze was drawn repeatedly to Kirine and Sasha. Sasha was seated at the table, demonstrating the art of paper flower folding to Kirine. The tiny girl’s clumsy yet endearing attempts to manipulate the paper captivated Riley’s attention completely.
Sensing someone seated across from her, Riley asked without looking up, “You were in the same accident, so why are you the only one who seems unaffected?”
“I’m not unaffected,” Ares replied.
“Oh, really? What’s troubling you, then?” Riley pressed.
“Well…” Ares began, his voice trailing off. Riley prompted him to continue, her curiosity piqued.
Ares hesitated, on the verge of revealing his eight-year memory loss. While he yearned to confide in Riley, he also wished to avoid causing her unnecessary distress before the culprit was apprehended.
“I’m fine,” he finally said, his tone firm. “Can’t you tell?”
“I suppose so,” Riley responded, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “What a fuss over nothing.”
With a dismissive click of her tongue, Riley returned her attention to Kirine and Sasha.
“Sister, about Mother…” Ares began, his voice low.
“What about her?” Riley replied, her gaze still fixed on Kirine and Sasha.
“She… passed away, didn’t she?” Ares asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Riley finally turned her attention to him. “Why bring that up now?”
“Did I hold her hand as she passed?” Ares persisted.
A long silence followed as Riley contemplated his question. Finally, she responded with a casual indifference, “You did hold her hand. Don’t you remember?”
“Huh? Oh, of course, I remember. How could I forget?” Ares replied, his voice laced with feigned surprise.
Riley’s brow furrowed slightly as she observed Ares’s overly relaxed demeanor. Something about his behavior felt off. “You’re acting strangely today,” she noted.
“What? I’m not,” Ares protested, his gaze avoiding hers. His denial only deepened her suspicions.
Instead of pressing the matter further, Riley simply nodded towards Ares’s hands, which were covered by white gloves.
“Come to think of it, I thought you’d gotten over your germophobia,” Riley remarked.
“Huh?” Ares replied, confusion evident in his voice.
“You’re wearing gloves,” Riley clarified, pointing at his hands.
Ares glanced down at his gloved hands, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. “I’m cured?” he questioned, a hint of hope in his voice.
Ares had always been plagued by a debilitating fear of physical contact. It wasn’t merely discomfort; it was a profound revulsion. The slightest touch, whether a casual shoulder tap or the accidental brushing of fingertips, sent shivers down his spine as if his skin were being invaded by countless insects.
Is that why it didn’t feel disgusting? Ares mused, a flicker of realization in his eyes. The memory of his hand touching Kirine’s surfaced, a stark contrast to his usual reactions. Instead of the anticipated horror, he had experienced a strange sense of…pleasantness.
What am I thinking? That’s crazy. Ares dismissed his thoughts, his voice laced with skepticism. Despite his attempts to rationalize, a glimmer of hope ignited within him. If this was indeed a sign of improvement, it was a positive development.
As Ares repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist, Riley regarded him with a faint smile. “Come to think of it, our sister-in-law has been quite a benefactor for us,” she remarked.
“She has?” Ares replied, his voice laced with confusion.
A moment of silence passed as Riley scrutinized Ares, a sense of unease growing within her. “You’re acting very strangely today. Are you hiding something from me?” she inquired, her tone firm.
It wasn’t just her imagination; something was definitely amiss. Riley’s gaze intensified, demanding an explanation. Ares, however, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “No? There’s nothing,” he insisted.
“It would be best if you were honest with me while we’re still on good terms,” Riley warned.
“I told you, there’s nothing,” Ares reiterated, shaking his head emphatically.