Clara forced a bitter smile, "Catherine, do you think I'm an ungrateful person? Fields are kind enough to take me in, and I like my own brother. It's betrayal, isn't it?"

Catherine shook her head, "You can't control feelings. If you could, they wouldn't be genuine. Sometimes, you like someone for no reason."

​​

It could take a look, a warm smile, or even a back and a word to make one care.

"If only I didn't know about my past. So I can face it calmly, and I won't be heartbroken."Clara said. She overheard the conversation between Leydon's parents the other afternoon when she was a kid, which she regretted a million times. That was how she found out the truth about her.

Sometimes, Clara wondered if she would be the best if she didn't like Leydon. So she would be the same carefree Fields princess. She didn't have to work so hard for the gratitude of the upbringing she received.

"They are so nice to me. Not one time they speak to me harshly nor ask me to do something. They want me to be me and do whatever I like."Clara said.

Catherine said gently, "You have a warm family and concerning parents. You are lucky."

Clara heard about Catherine's family. Her dad passed away a couple of years back. She was spoiled by her uncle, who had an ulterior motive and almost went astray.

"So you think I should cherish what I have and shouldn't ask for what doesn't belong to me, right?" asked Clara.

"If he likes you, there won't be a problem," Catherine said.

"That would be the best." Clara dreamt about it. But there was always a huge gap between dreams and reality. What she wanted was what Leydon couldn't wait to get away from.

No wonder Catherine always felt the stiffness between Leydon and Clara. The word was he loved her as his kid. But when they grew up, they grew apart.

"Clara, does he know?" asked Catherine.

"Yeah. I told him."

Catherine was surprised that Clara could muster up the courage.

"You think I'm brave, right?" asked Clara, "Actually, I've been struggling to tell him about it. I'm worried if I did, we couldn't get back to what we have. He'll look down on me."Her eyes got watery. She assumed that Leydon must find it gross.

"When did you tell him?" asked Catherine.

"When I turned 18," Clara answered.

"How did he take it?"

Clara smiled. She would never forget how he responded. She just turned 18 that year and found her feelings for Leydon out of control. She got overwhelmingly flustered. Thinking about it for days, Catherine decided to tell Leydon how she felt.

It was during summer vacation. Jocelyn was taking her nap, and Leydon's parents were out. So Clara and Leydon were alone in the house.

Clara knocked on his door, feeling antsy and uneasy. Leydon was playing video games, which was his latest favorite activity. Seeing Clara come in, he looked up, glanced at her, and kept playing.

"Leydon, I have to talk to you," Clara said.

"I have to finish this round."

Clara waited for minutes, and he put the handle away, saying, "What is it?"

Clara didn't know since when they grew more and more distant. It could be they both grew up. But anyway, Leydon started it.

"Leydon." Clara has been struggling to come up with the right words. But seeing his indifferent face, what she was about to say choked on her throat.

Leydon frowned, "What's going on?"

"I..."

"If you don't want to say it, leave me alone."

Seeing Leydon picking up the handle for another round, Clara suddenly got the courage, "Leydon, I like you. It's how a girl likes a boy."

Leydon stood up and threw the handle on the floor. He said harshly, "Do you know what you're talking about?"

"Of course I do."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"I know I'm not your biological sister. I can like you."

Leydon also knew Clara wasn't his biological sister. His parents never kept it a secret. But he saw her as his sister.

"How do you know?"

"I heard what mom and dad said."

Leydon kept quiet for a while and said, "You're their daughter and my sister. Get rid of other thoughts!"

Leydon already realized Clara's feelings for him got different. Her look turned hot and passionate. So he started avoiding her and stopped caring for her. He hoped to kill any fantasy she might have and became more indifferent.

Leydon wouldn't say it out loud. He thought everything would be alright once Clara got over it. But instead of regretting it, she told him how she felt!

"Leydon, we can be an item."

"Stop! I don't want to hear it."

Even if Clara was prepared for what was coming for her, she was hurt by his cold voice and stern look.

"I thought you would never say it out loud. I've been giving you a chance to figure it out. But you won't!"Leydon snapped.

Clara said, "You knew?"

"You're always my sister. That's a fact."

Leydon's words were harsh, depriving her of any chance.

Clara said to Catherine, "I'm his sister. That's all I will be."

Catherine held Clara and said, "Have a good cry. You'll get better."

Clara said with a choking tone, "So I make myself busy. I work hard and accept shows shot far away from here. I want to give up, but I can't."She almost had a breakdown when she saw Leydon exchanging rings with Emma.

"What if I don't like him? Then nothing would happen. I won't be heartbroken."Clara said.

Catherine kept her company and listened to everything she said. It was a good way of venting. Then she talked her into eating something when she was tired.

"Get some sleep. Don't think too much. You have me."Catherine said.

"Thanks, Catherine."

"We're friends."

"I'm glad you're my friend."

"Me too."

Clara left early the next morning for the airport. She couldn't miss the scene. She looked like the same gentle girl, but there was a wound in her heart that could never be healed.