Riley narrowed her eyes, her attention shifting to Sasha, who was excitedly displaying her paper flowers to Kirine. “Oh, right. Aunt brought a gift for Sasha,” she said, changing the subject.
Sasha’s face erupted into a joyous smile at the mention of a gift, and she eagerly ran towards Riley. With a tender look at Sasha, Riley requested, “Yes, but I accidentally left it by the door. Could you bring it for me instead?”
“I’ll get it!” Sasha declared with determination, her small body propelling her forward with surprising speed. As the sound of her footsteps faded, Riley turned to Kirine and Ares, a question already forming on her lips.
“By the way, what about Sasha’s birthday present?” she asked, her voice casual.
Kirine and Ares exchanged perplexed glances, their minds racing to fill in the missing information.
‘Was it Sasha’s birthday?’
‘What should I do if you’re asking me? I don’t even know.’
The two exchanged subtle glances, gauging Riley’s reaction. Fortunately, she appeared merely puzzled. “I was actually trying to decide what to get her,” she admitted.
Ares, visibly relieved, adopted a concerned expression. His performance was remarkably convincing, almost fooling even himself. However, Riley’s expression darkened inexplicably.
Kirine, quick to pick up on the change in atmosphere, echoed Ares’s sentiments. “I want to give her something better than the last birthday gift, but I’m not sure what to get,” she said, her voice filled with feigned uncertainty.
“What did you give her for her last birthday?” Riley inquired, her voice steady.
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Kirine sought assistance from Ares. Desperate for a response, Ares concocted an absurd excuse, even he could sense its absurdity. “Right. What did we give her? It’s been a year, so I can’t remember…” he stammered.
Their once convincing acting now appeared clumsy and forced. The deception was evident to anyone observing their behavior.
However, Riley’s reaction was surprising. “Well, I suppose it’s possible that you don’t remember,” she said, nodding in acknowledgment. But her statement was incomplete. “However, it’s a bit strange. I thought it was just my younger brother who was acting odd, but now it seems my sister-in-law is a bit peculiar too,” she added, her tone turning inquisitive.
Before Kirine could formulate a response, Riley delivered the final blow. “Sasha’s birthday has already passed. It was three months ago,” she stated matter-of-factly.
The revelation struck Kirine and Ares like a bolt of lightning, leaving them paralyzed with shock.
***
“You’ve lost your memory?” Riley asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Unable to find any further excuses, Ares confessed the truth to Riley. After listening patiently, Riley let out a frustrated sigh. “So that’s why you’ve been acting so strangely. It was also why our sister-in-law was speaking formally to me,” she explained.
Kirine’s face revealed a newfound understanding, accompanied by an awkward smile as she avoided eye contact. Riley clicked her tongue in disapproval, her attention shifting to Kirine. “You don’t remember Sasha either?” she inquired, her voice laced with doubt.
Silence enveloped the room as Kirine and Ares remained silent. Riley sighed, her patience waning. But her demeanor changed abruptly as she snapped her fingers, causing documents to materialize in the air. “Here’s the information about you based on my memory. And this is the document regarding Sasha. To avoid getting caught again like this time, it was crucial to accurately understand who you are at present,” she explained.
“Thanks, sis,” Ares replied gratefully.
“Aren’t you being a bit careless?” Riley retorted.
As Ares expressed his gratitude, Kirine’s gaze shifted cautiously to Riley. Her voice hesitant, she began, “I have a question…” The uncharacteristic uncertainty in her tone was palpable. Sensing Kirine’s discomfort, Riley offered a reassuring smile, “Feel free to ask.”
“Do you know where I’ve kept my money? If so, do you know how much is there?” Kirine inquired directly.
“I told you to speak informally,” Riley replied, a playful tone in her voice.
“Where’s my money?” Kirine repeated, her tone serious.
For a brief moment, Riley entertained the notion that Kirine might have entrusted her with funds. However, Kirine’s earnest expression dispelled that thought. “How would I know where your money is? You handle all your finances yourself,” Riley clarified.
“I’ve heard that I also made donations,” Kirine revealed.
“Yes, you did. You’ve been doing so ever since Sasha was born,” Riley confirmed. The fact that Kirine, a woman known for her frugal nature, had initiated such generous acts after Sasha’s birth was indeed surprising.
A growing headache prompted Riley to stand up. “Anyway, if you need help with anything in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me,” she said, her voice tinged with weariness. The situation was increasingly perplexing, and an unsettling unease crept into her mind.