Host, Please Be Honest! What Exactly Are You? - Chapter 623: Do You Believe?

A camera panned over the imposing facade of an asylum, its barred windows and towering walls casting long shadows in the early morning light. The reporter, a young woman with sharp eyes and a steady voice, stood in front of the gates, microphone in hand.

“Good morning, I’m Harah Fallins reporting live from Mayta’s Asylum,” she began, her voice cutting through the ambient noise of the bustling street. “In a shocking turn of events, local resident Liana xxx has been arrested and committed to this facility following a dramatic incident at her home.”

The screen shifted to footage of Liana being led away by police, her face a mask of anguish as she screamed, “That’s not my baby!” Her cries echoed hauntingly even through the television speakers, leaving viewers with an unsettling chill.

This was a pretty small town. Many people who knew her placed their hands on their mouths, gasping in disbelief.

How did this happen? How did it get this bad?

(o0o)

“Neighbors reported hearing disturbing sounds from the Shi residence several nights ago,” Sarah continued. “Authorities finally found and captured Liana in Glockville city, several miles from here. And after capturing her, all she could say in a state of hysteria was that her newborn child had been replaced by an imposter.”

The broadcast returned to Sarah, who maintained her professional demeanor despite the gravity of the story. “Mrs. Liana’s husband, Clem, has declined to comment at this time. He remains at home caring for their child while his wife undergoes psychiatric evaluation.”

“…”

The news said it all.

The world concluded that this young woman was crazy. Who tried to kill their newborn over and over again, if not a crazy person?

People who knew Liana well, just couldn’t believe she would do such a thing.

They knew she has been having troubles since her birthing. But they never knew it was this bad.

Poor Clem Shi… Many people who knew Clem Shi, felt bad for him. He must be in deep agony, knowing that his wife was trying to kill his child. AHHHHHHH~

The echo of Liana’s screams reverberated through the cold, sterile corridors of the asylum. But no one could hear her cries.

The walls seemed to absorb her cries, amplifying the desperation in her voice. “I shouldn’t be here! I should be looking for my son! That’s not my baby!” she shrieked, her voice cracking with a mix of terror and defiance. Her eyes, wide and frantic, darted around the room as if searching for an escape from this nightmare.

Dr. Collins, a seasoned psychiatrist with graying hair and a weary expression, stood at a distance, observing her with a mixture of pity and professional detachment. He had seen many cases of postpartum psychosis, but there was something different about this one. Something unsettling. According to the reports, she should be very healthy. Taking a deep breath, he soon stepped into her enclosed space.

“Please, Mrs. Liana,” he said gently, attempting to calm her. “Your husband is taking care of the child. Everything will be alright.”

Alright?

Huh.

Liana only laughed—a hollow, chilling sound that sent shivers down his spine. “You don’t understand doctor,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper as if sharing a dark secret. “No one does…”

“Doc, I’ve said it once, and I’ll keep saying it again. That thing is NOT-MY-CHILD.”

**********************

The world had never seen such a bizarre case like this. However, time seemed to have flown by in a flash. Already, 14 days have gone by since Liana’s capture.

Clem Shi sat in their dimly lit living room, cradling the infant in his arms. The baby looked up at him with large, unblinking eyes that seemed far too knowing for its age. Suddenly Clem Shi felt a strange unease settle over him as he rocked the child gently.

He had been hopeful when they brought their newborn home—a perfect little family. But now, with his wife locked away and his own health inexplicably deteriorating, hope felt like a distant memory.

(Cough, cough)

Clem Shi coughed into his handkerchief, noticing the alarming amount of blood staining the fabric. What was going on with him?

His strength was waning, and he could feel it slipping away with each passing day. Yet every time he thought of leaving the child alone, an inexplicable fear gripped him—a fear that something terrible would happen if he turned his back.

Wahhhh~

The baby cooed softly, its small hands reaching up to touch Clem Shi’s face. But there was something so… so unnatural about its gaze.

Terrible!

A chill ran down his spine at the touch—icy and unnatural. He tried to shake off the feeling, telling himself it was just exhaustion playing tricks on his mind.

But the house itself seemed to change in the presence of the child. Shadows stretched longer than they should have; whispers echoed in empty rooms. ‘My f***king mind must be messing with me again.’ Clem Shi concluded, while redying himself for bed.

Everynight, he has felt his strength weakening. And in the morning, he would wake up, feeling his bones so fragile and painful.

This night was no different.

Clem Shi tried to wake up, but still found it impossible, just like his other attempts in the past.

Clem Shi didn’t know if it was luck or what, but this night, he finally succeeded in prying his eyes open. Of course, he didn’t just open them wide like a doll, but first keep them closed, and only slightly opened them to take several peeks of his surroundings.

What?

Clem Shi’s breathing instantly became shallow, when seeing the horrifying scene before him.

There in the crib, his son was standing and staring at him with glowing green eyes. But this wasn’t all. His lips stretched unnaturally, from ear to ear in a way no human’s can.

Clem Shi had no tears but wanted to cry.

The air around him felt heavy with an unspoken dread that seeped into every corner of his life.

Liana… He regretted it. This was definitely not his SON!