Feigning Innocence Novels & Stories

The silence stretched, almost as brittle as glass. “I. . . I asked for this audience because I have no other way to prove my innocence,” I began. “I have not seen the map, and I have also not seen the locket. I have no one to vouch for me. And I know what that looks like, what it means.” Even you. . . He circled me like a predator assessing prey. “It means you’re a liar, it means you are not to be trusted.” “I’m not.” “Then you’re incompetent. Which is worse.”

Perfect, intricate and all mine. “I didn’t do this,” I whispered as the accusations tightened around my neck. “I don’t even understand half of these words.” Sarah just lifted one of her brows, titling her head to the side. “Oh really?” "I’m innocent!" I cried, the effort causing another fit of coughing. I leaned over, blood spattering onto the metal table. "I’m sick, Sarah. Look at me! I'm not even disposed to take care of myself talk more of being capable of pulling such a high level fraud like that!”

Trust me, I used to feel happy too—until that night. I realized that when a man calls a woman innocent, he means she’s easy to fool. It’s not a compliment. Being a good girl is such a harsh scam. It’s often used for women who get taken advantage of, and my heart ached for them—and for myself. I’d rather be known as a cunning bitch now than be called innocent and sweet. “Lavender, you’re starting to make me angry,” he hissed, and I stopped walking. “Easton! Fuck off,” I bent down to the level of his window and yelled right in his face.

To survive as long as necessary in order to find that escape path. To…to make my enemies trust me enough to drop their guard. To convince them that I’m not a threat. Even if in my heart I want to rip every single one of their hearts from their bodies and set them all ablaze. Well. Maybe not Pippa’s. But my horrible mate’s – his for sure. Slowly I inhale, knowing precisely what Faiza would tell me to do. Play dead, Cream Puff, she’d say, giving me that patented wink, her feet propped up on her desk. Let think you’re as stupid and vapid as they want you to be. And then when the time comes?

Oscar was flabbergasted. “My name is Fay Willmer, perhaps you should be reminded,” Fay added. Oscar tried to look understanding. She cleared her throat briefly before returning to persuasion. “Well, until it is proven that you are Alice Barney, I will call you Miss Willmer.” “There’s nothing to prove, Mr. Finch. You’d better get out of here. Although I don’t know what tricks are really in your head, I know that people like you cannot be trusted.” Oscar silently clenched his hands into fists, until his knuckles turned white. He didn’t think it would be difficult to convince such a stupid-looking girl. Usually, money would make people ignore everything else. Even the truth, just close your eye

"That's why we're here." Feign looked at him properly then. Silas knew what he was seeing — an older man. Sixty-something, silver at his temples, a face that had been weathered by more years and more winters than Feign could probably imagine. Nothing about him screamed dangerous. Nothing about him said be careful. That was also intentional. Silas had spent decades perfecting the art of looking like the least threatening person in any room. "You said on the phone that you could help me," Feign said, keeping his voice low. "With Addison."

Hayden pinched his palm and inhaled deeply to feign calmness. Hayden knew Zenos didn't keep tabs on him, so there’s no way they’re thinking the same thing! Zenos' hand itched to spank the innocent-feigning boy. Still, daring to continue feigning in Zenos’ presence? "Craving to get smacked? Still, daring to feign innocence? You think you weren't speaking your thoughts out?" Zenos scowled in anger. Hayden broke into a sweat. However, he tilted his head and continued feigning innocence, even though he was beginning to sweat miles. "Eh, speak what? What thoughts? Playing a mind reader..."

He then leans in and whispers, “You're not getting away with that little snicker.” With an innocent gaze, I assure him, “I haven't done anything wrong.” Neo leans in close, his voice barely a whisper as he teasingly remarks, “Don't even try to fool us with that innocent look, sweetheart. We all see through it, knowing very well that you're far from innocent. If you're hoping for some dick tonight, I suggest you show some proper behavior.” With a mischievous smirk, he slowly retreats, leaving me with a lingering sense of anticipation, causing a soft whimper to escape my lips.

Fedora had hated every second of backing her up, but Cynthia was her best friend. The locker sabotage. Junior year, Cynthia had slipped a cheating note into a classmate’s locker, framing her for stealing test answers. When the girl was caught, Cynthia feigned shock, gasping that she had seen the girl "acting suspicious." Fedora had known the truth but had kept quiet, biting her tongue as Cynthia played the innocent bystander.

I felt his hand gently grab my arm, stopping me just before I reached the stairs. His tone was soft, tentative, like he was afraid I might shatter if he said the wrong thing. I turned to him, my chest heaving. "He shot me, right?" Mark said, looking me dead in the eyes. "And I’m still here, right? Just forgive him. I don’t think he meant it." The words didn’t make sense in my head. I wanted to scream, to shake him, to tell him it wasn’t that simple. That trust wasn’t something you could just stitch back together after it had been ripped apart like this.