"Liar"
The word was sharp. Precise.
I didn't react.
Didn't look away.
Because if I did—
everything would collapse.
You're many things, Shu Lin," he continued, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous. "But you're not that."
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
"You seem very sure."
"I am."
His grip tightened slightly. "Because I've seen you."
My breath faltered—just for a second.
"One year," he went on, eyes never leaving mine. "I watched you. Every habit. Every weakness. Every lie."
A pause.
"And this?" His thumb pressed harder against my jaw. "This isn't a lie you know how to tell."
My chest tightened.
Damn him.
"Believe whatever you want," I said, forcing indifference into my tone. "It doesn't change the truth."
"Then prove it."
My brows furrowed.
"What?"
"If you killed her," he said, his voice almost calm now, "tell me how."
My heartbeat stumbled.
But I didn't hesitate.
"I pushed her."
The lie came out clean.
Too clean.
Wrong.
Cheng Mo's expression darkened instantly.
"No, you didn't."
"I did."
"She hit her head on the edge of the table," he cut in sharply. "Not the floor."
My breath caught.
I said nothing.
His eyes narrowed.
"You hesitated," he said. "Just now."
Silence.
Dead silence.
"Again," he demanded. "Tell me how you killed her."
My throat tightened.
I could feel it—
the truth clawing its way up.
The memory—
my mother's trembling hands—
her panicked breathing—
the push—
"No," I said suddenly, pulling back slightly. "I already told you what you wanted to hear."
That's not what I want," he snapped.
"Then what do you want from me?!" I shot back, something finally cracking through my control.
His voice dropped—
cold.
"Your honesty."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
"You don't want that."
"Try me."
I stared at him.
At the man who had destroyed everything I had.
At the man who once—
for a brief, stupid moment—
felt like everything.
And I realized—
this was the moment.
The line.
If I crossed it—
there was no going back.
"…I killed her," I repeated.
Softer this time.
Not convincing.
Not even to myself.
Cheng Mo stared at me for a long second.
Then—
he let go.
Completely.
The sudden absence of his grip made me feel… off balance.
Exposed.
You're protecting someone," he said.