Chapter 2
There was no way Sian could sneak into the Rockefeller Building, where the 12th graders had their classes. She had no choice but to give up on that plan.
But that didn’t mean she was giving up on reuniting with her brother entirely.
Even though classes were separated by grade, everyone shared the same cafeteria.
So, Sian waited anxiously for lunch, and the moment her class ended, she rushed to the cafeteria.
“Where is he?”
The cafeteria was packed with students, chattering away at every table. Amid the noise, Sian looked around like a meerkat, standing on tiptoe and scanning the room.
“I don’t see him anywhere…”
She had assumed her brother would stand out in a place like Wharton School, where white students made up the majority and Asian students were rare. But no such luck.
She had to switch tactics.
If she couldn’t find him herself, she’d find someone who could.
Her big eyes rolled around the room, searching—until they locked onto a target. Her face lit up.
“Aaron!”
Aaron was a boy in her grade and homeroom. Luckily, he was sitting alone—perfect for striking up a conversation.
“Can I sit here?”
When Sian called out his name, Aaron didn’t exactly look thrilled to see her. He set down the book he’d been reading and glanced around.
Even though it was the first day of school, most students were already settled into groups. That’s how it was at Wharton—kids had been moving up together from the affiliated kindergarten all the way through high school.
Though there were always exceptions.
Aaron stared at Sian in silence. As a new transfer student, she stuck out like a sore thumb—totally unlike anyone else at Wharton.
“Let’s see how long she lasts.”
Sure, she might’ve gotten in on a scholarship, but the school’s high academic standards and competitive, cliquish atmosphere drove at least one student to transfer out every year.
“She won’t last long.”
When Aaron gave her a reluctant nod, Sian pulled out the chair like she’d been waiting for his signal all along and sat down.
He figured that was the end of it.
But he was wrong.
“What are you reading?”
Aaron frowned slightly at the question. He tilted the book in his hand just enough to show her.
The Iliad.
Sian raised her brows at the title.
Truthfully, she wasn’t all that curious. It was just a way to start talking.
Unbothered by Aaron’s silent return to reading, Sian continued cheerfully, “Did we already get homework on the first day?”
Who in their right mind would read something as dry and ancient as The Iliad for fun?
Her tone was casual, almost teasing, and Aaron looked at her like she was hopeless.
Then, without a word, he pointedly ignored her.
‘He’s actually kinda fun to mess with.’
Sian considered saying something even sillier just to see his reaction—but stopped herself.
If she annoyed him too much and he stormed off, she’d lose her chance.
“Hey, Aaron.”
Her tone shifted. She had a favor to ask.
With a heavy sigh, Aaron finally set his book on the table and looked properly irritated.
“What do I have to do to shut you up?”
So blunt. Still, at least he was finally engaging.
Sian smiled as if she’d been waiting for that exact question.
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Let’s hear it first.”
He crossed his arms and gave her a slight nod, as if to say, go ahead and talk.
He might actually agree to help. She had a good feeling.
“Do you know someone named Ian Morgan?”
“Who doesn’t?”
Of course. Ian had been a genius even when they were kids. It looked like he was still famous now.
Sian sat up a little straighter, proud by association.
“I want to meet him.”
Aaron’s expression twisted.
‘So she’s just another girl chasing after guys like Blay Williams…’
He shouldn’t have expected anything.
She was just some girl he’d met today—no big deal. No reason to feel let down.
And yet… he was disappointed. Just a little.
Maybe because she was the first girl today to talk to him without being forced to.
“Forget it. Upperclassmen don’t waste time on kids like us.”
He picked up his book again—but froze when he heard the next thing she said.
“Ian Morgan is my brother. We were separated when he got adopted and moved to the U.S.”
Aaron’s hand hovered above the book.
His eyes narrowed as he looked her over—black hair, black eyes.
And Ian Morgan being adopted wasn’t exactly a secret.
The possibility was there.
But that didn’t mean he was convinced.
“Got any proof?”
“Of course! Just wait a sec.”
Sian pulled a photo from the pocket of her school jacket. It was the last picture they’d taken together at the orphanage, before Ian had been adopted.
“This skeleton is supposed to be you?”
Aaron wrinkled his nose, comparing the sickly little girl in the photo to the vibrant girl in front of him.
He couldn’t be blamed for doubting her. Even Sian barely recognized herself.
She’d even been bald back then.
“I was really sick. I had leukemia. But I got better.”
“…Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Sian smiled brightly, like it was no big deal. But Aaron still looked uncomfortable. He had, in effect, just mocked a former cancer patient.
With a sigh, he got up from his seat.
“Come on.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll take you to Ian Morgan.”
Sian’s eyes widened in shock as she scrambled to follow him.
She didn’t even glance back at her untouched lunch tray.
‘I’m going to see my brother!’
Everything seemed to be going her way. She could barely keep herself from humming with joy.
She looked at Aaron’s back as they walked.
‘He’s actually kind of sweet.’
Maybe they could be good friends.
But then he started leading her toward a more secluded part of campus, and she slowed down.
“Wait a second.”
She stopped in front of a suspicious-looking door, catching Aaron just as he raised his hand to knock.
He yanked his arm away from her grasp with a frown.
“Sorry for touching you, but… where are we?”
The building was isolated and quiet. Not a soul in sight.
An uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
What if Aaron was lying?
“This is the Pi Memorization Club room.”
Aaron glanced down at the spot where she had touched him, looking vaguely annoyed.
“Ian Morgan’s the club president. He’s always here during lunch.”
Pi memorization? That sounded exactly like something her brother would do.
Sian’s face lit up again.
“But how do you know so much about my brother? Are you guys close?”
Aaron gave a curt nod.
“We’ve known each other since middle school. We were in the same math Olympiad.”
“What?”
Sian’s eyes widened again—then narrowed suspiciously.
“You planning to join this club? Don’t tell me you’re memorizing The Iliad too.”
If there was a club for memorizing Pi, surely there was one for memorizing The Iliad.
Aaron gave her a look like she was hopeless and knocked on the door.
“Wait! I’m not ready yet—”
“Quit stalling. Just go in.”
He pushed her through the door and followed her inside, closing it behind them.
Despite the grand name, the room looked pretty ordinary.
Except for one wall, where digits of Pi stretched endlessly.
Across from that wall was a long, cushy sofa.
And on that sofa sat the boy she had missed so desperately.
Sian swallowed hard.
It was him. Her brother.
The brother she had only seen in dreams was now close enough to touch.
He had grown up so much, become so handsome.
If she hadn’t specifically asked Aaron to find Ian Morgan, she might’ve walked right past him without knowing.
There were so many things she wanted to say.
But the moment she saw him, emotion choked her, and not a single word came out.
“Who is she?”
Ian asked coldly, eyes on Sian—but the question was directed at Aaron.
“She says she’s your sister.”
“…Sister?”
His voice turned frigid.
Aaron, who had expected a tearful sibling reunion, flinched.
‘Don’t tell me she lied…’
Was it all a lie? That she was his sister? That she had leukemia?
Before Aaron could ask, Sian stepped forward herself.
“Oppa, it’s me. Sian.”
Her words came out in Korean.
Ian frowned at the sound.
His expression grew darker and darker, but Sian didn’t waver.
She had nearly failed to recognize him, so it was okay if he didn’t recognize her right away.
“I’m all grown up now. That’s why I brought this—remember our last picture together?”
She handed him the photo.
He took it silently.
He’d look at it, remember, and smile. He’d welcome her back with open arms.
But Sian’s hopes shattered.
Because Ian tore the photo into pieces without even looking at it.
“My sister is dead.”
The photo scraps fluttered to the floor like falling pieces of her heart.
Sian clutched her chest instinctively.
No.
There was no way.
Her one and only brother couldn’t fail to recognize her.
He couldn’t break her heart like this.
She shook her head, hard, as if to cast off the thought.
“What are you talking about? I’m right here! That’s not funny—not even as a joke.”
“I don’t know where you heard about my sister, but quit pretending to be her. Unless you want to have a really awful time here.”
It was practically a threat.
Keep claiming to be my sister, and I’ll make your life hell.
Ian’s icy gaze shifted to Aaron.
“You should learn to think before you act.”
“…Yeah.”
Since Ian had spoken entirely in English, Aaron had picked up most of what was going on.
With his eyes lowered to the floor, he received the final blow.
“Now both of you—get out.”
