CLMO 43🔐

Chapter 43

[ I know it’s hard to believe everything I’m saying right now. ]

Cian fidgeted, recalling Ian’s extreme rejection whenever she had tried to approach him before.

[ I was thinking about how I could make you believe me… and I came up with a few ideas… ]

[ Oh? ]

Ian asked encouragingly, noticing that Cian struggled to speak.

[ Well… you might be upset—no, it’s only natural if you are… angry. ]

[ I won’t be. Just tell me. ]

Ian’s tone had softened noticeably compared to before, giving Cian courage.

[ The test results from the hospital where I was previously admitted… where I was declared fully recovered… ]

[ Test results… and what else? ]

[ The results of a DNA kinship test using your hair and mine. ]

[ How did you get my hair… ah. ]

Ian immediately understood what she meant.

Her reaction was unexpectedly calm.

[ So it was Aaron. ]

Cian, feeling guilty, defended Aaron.

[ It wasn’t Aaron’s fault. I asked him to do it. He really had no choice. ]

But Ian didn’t seem interested in her defense at all.

[ So the test results? ]

At his curiosity, Cian’s face immediately brightened.

She hurriedly searched her skirt pockets but stopped abruptly.

[ Ah… ]

She had forgotten that she was in her cheerleader uniform.

The form-fitting outfit had no pockets. Naturally, she had neither her phone nor the documents on her.

[ I can’t show you right now because of what I’m wearing, but it’s real! ]

Cian racked her brain desperately. She couldn’t lose this chance with her brother.

Then, a miraculous idea came to her.

[ Do you remember when my old photo was released as a candidate for Homecoming royalty? Did you know about it? ]

Last Friday, Janice even reported Victoria…

Cian added the detail timidly, and Ian admitted that he knew.

He hadn’t known at the time because he wasn’t at school, nor had he cared. But after hearing Janice’s report, he had at least a rough idea of what happened.

[ When you see that photo, you’ll immediately know it’s me. A friend took it directly from my album. ]

Even though Ian hadn’t seen the photo Cian mentioned—or the documents she referred to—he now understood.

She really was his sister.

[ Cian. ]

Ian slightly raised his arm.

[ Come to me. ]

It was the words she had longed to hear.

Tears welled up in Cian’s eyes as she carefully went into her brother’s arms.

Though she wanted to hug him tightly, she remembered that Ian had been injured and brought here.

It had been a full ten years.

Tears kept pricking her eyes as she held her brother after such a long time.

[ When did you grow so big? ]

Cian rubbed her head against his chest, as if trying to release the sorrow of being ignored for so long.

[ You used to hold me until I fell asleep too. ]

[ I remember. ]

Recalling the past, Ian chuckled softly.

When they were at the orphanage together, Cian had been afraid of falling asleep alone. She would secretly visit the boys’ room at night.

Then Ian would hold her until she fell asleep and return her to her room before morning.

It was a secret only the two of them knew.

This confirmed, without a doubt, that this girl was indeed Cian.

[ Still scared of falling asleep? ]

Cian shook her head at his question.

[ Not anymore. My foster parents stayed with me until I fell asleep every night. ]

Ian felt mixed emotions. He was relieved to hear she had been well cared for, yet also somewhat sad.

He gently stroked her head, studying her face.

It was the face of a child who had been loved to the fullest.

No trace of past illness, no evidence of being separated from her only family—just a clear, unwrinkled face.

The devotion and love of her foster parents radiated from her expression.

Ian realized that he had never had that… which was partly why he had doubted she was his sister. She had changed so much from the image in his memory.

[ So now you believe me? ]

Cian tilted her head as she met his gaze.

Ian let out a heavy sigh.

[ I’m sorry for not believing you before. ]

He regretted tearing up her photo, telling her never to appear in front of him, and avoiding her. If he had believed her earlier, they wouldn’t have reunited in such a messy way.

Cian sniffled at his apology.

[ It’s okay. If you think about it, I wasn’t exactly easy to deal with either. ]

Ah, seeing her so kind confirmed she really was his sister.

Ian hugged her happily, then suddenly straightened his expression.

[ By the way, are you still friends with the girl who stole your photo? Stop that immediately. ]

[ Huh? But she apologized properly… ]

It seemed her friends had completely annoyed her brother. The joy of reunion was brief.

Cian broke out in nervous sweat as Ian continued scolding her, relentless as ever.

[ And what about Blay? Did you… fall for him too? ]

[ Uh… uh? ]

Cian stumbled over her words without realizing it. Ian’s gaze grew even sharper.

[ You’re not already dating him, right? I saw you two causing a scene before the match. ]

[ No! ]

Luckily, Blay hadn’t been close enough to kiss her—at least Ian hadn’t seen it. It had happened too quickly.

When Cian denied it quickly, Ian’s expression softened.

[ Good. He’s never allowed. ]

Oh my… Ian wasn’t just worried about her dating a friend—he was completely opposed.

[ Why are you saying that? Blay is your friend… ]

Cian muttered. Ian didn’t even flinch.

[ He might be a good friend, but he’s not a good boyfriend. ]

Ian had witnessed all of Blay’s past relationships closely, unintentionally observing how shallow he was. He had never seen him in a serious relationship. The switch from Victoria to Isabella was proof.

Blay Williams was definitely out.

Ian shook his head and suggested an alternative.

[ Go meet Aaron. He’s the right kind of guy. ]

[ Aaron’s just a friend. ]

Cian had never seen Aaron romantically. Aaron probably felt the same.

Ian nodded approvingly at her indifferent response.

[ Don’t date anyone else. Everyone here might look fine on the outside, but they’re all fools in reality. ]

Cian wanted to argue, but she didn’t. Being reunited with her brother was enough for her; there was no need to start a quarrel.

[ Listening to you scold me doesn’t feel good, but it’s not entirely bad either. ]

Cian smiled up at him after their hug.

[ Then can I start bragging to my friends that Ian is my brother? Can I have lunch with him at school? Study together at the library? Join the same club? I want to join the same club as you. ]

She rattled off all the things she wanted to do with him. Her eyes shone with hope. Ian, on the other hand, felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

[ That’s not allowed. ]

His expression, which had been smiling just moments ago, hardened. It was so cold it seemed like he was a different person.

[ Why? Why not? ]

[ You heard from Mei Zhang about what my foster parents are like. ]

They were the ones who had faked her death just to dominate Ian. If they discovered that she was suddenly here, attending the same school as him…

[ They’re crazy. They’d harm you, and even your foster parents. ]

[ But…! ]

[ I don’t want to hold another funeral for you. I can’t. I won’t endure it again. ]

[ But…! ]

[ No. ]

Every word Cian tried to say was blocked by Ian, and she clenched her fists.

‘How did it come to this?’

The mood, which had been fine just moments ago, turned instantly.

Still, Cian didn’t give up trying to talk.

[ Ian. I know it’s hard to trust me suddenly appearing after ten years. But there has to be another way. ]

When Cian looked him in the eyes and spoke firmly, Ian reluctantly met her gaze.

[ We haven’t seen each other or contacted each other for ten years. That’s much longer than the time we’ve spent together. ]

[ Everyone else lives like that too. ]

[ Ian. ]

[ Most of your day is spent with friends. When you become an adult, you spend time with coworkers and partners. Families are only seen during holidays. ]

[ I don’t want that. ]

Cian’s firm refusal left Ian speechless.

[ How did we reunite then? And you graduate next year. ]

Even as high school students, they had trouble seeing each other due to different schedules. Once Ian became a college student, it would be even harder. They’d only see each other briefly during vacations or holidays.

[ I won’t accept that I can’t be with you because of others. I’ll stay by your side no matter what. I’ll find a way. ]

Cian’s determined expression left no doubt about her resolve.

Ian understood her feelings. He felt the same. But he knew too well the cruelty of the Morgans to agree rashly.

So he had no choice but to push away his sister who had come to him.

[ A way? How, as a high schooler, are you going to stop the Morgans who even silence the media? ]

Cian couldn’t answer.

[ If you won’t listen, then go back. ]

[ Ian! ]

She had achieved the reunion she had dreamed of—but it wasn’t over. There were still problems with them to resolve.

Still, Cian wasn’t giving up.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Ian had no choice but to play his final card.

[ You have no idea what those crazy people did to me. ]

Cian’s black eyes slowly filled with sadness.