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Chapter 16
Inside the Blanchel house, Harvey couldn’t stop hovering around Cersei
“Come on, you finally came back home. Won’t you let me take you out somewhere fun? he persisted.
Cersei sighed wearily.
She and Harvey hadn’t actually spent much time together. Because of his adoption, his identity had been kept secret,
Add to that different schools, and their shared memories were limited to childhood.
She couldn’t understand why Harvey was so interested in her, especially since they were siblings.
She turned and pushed him away.
“Harvey, I know you’re running most of the family business now. You must be crazy busy. You didn’t need to come all the way back. I’ve already figured things out.”
Unfazed by her rejection, he casually pulled out a chair.
“The company stuff is all managed by assistants. It’s no big deal. Now that you’re back, I just want to spend more time with you. I know you can’t accept me right now, but can you stop treating me like just your little brother?”
Harvey’s earnest tone made Cersei uncomfortable. She sat down as he suggested, but couldn’t help asking.
“Harvey, what exactly do you like about me? We haven’t seen each other in forever.”
After learning about her divorce, he’d rushed over before their parents had even commented.
She’d assumed their relationship was purely familial, but Harvey’s sudden confession of feelings. The same adopted relationship, the same sibling dynamic–initially made her recoil.
But his persistence had piqued her curiosity.
Harvey reminisced, a smile forming on his lips.
“Remember when I was first adopted into the Blanchel family? Everyone looked down on me. Everyone except you. You patiently taught me all those etiquette rules–how to use the right fork, how to handle adults‘ judgmental stares.”
“Later, when they sent me away, the family basically left me to fend for myself. Only you genuinely cared about me.”
These memories slowly surfaced from the depths of her mind.
Cersei had never imagined her simple kindness would leave such a lasting impression.
“But I only feel brotherly love for you… Even though we’re not blood–related, you’re handling the family business now. We can’t be together.”
Harvey smiled and sat beside her, his voice deepening.
“The Blanchel fortune means nothing compared to you. If you’re willing to take a chance, I’ll give up everything.”
“I know you can’t accept me right now, so let’s just take it slow, okay? If you really don’t feel the same, I won’t keep pestering you like Louis Moore.” “I’ll be mature about it. I’ll disappear, keep running the company and make tons of money for you as compensation. Please, sis, just give me a shot.”
His voice softened, suddenly reminiscent of the little boy in her memories. She couldn’t help but smile.
“If Louis Moore can be with his sister, then why can’t I try with my own brother?”
A
Chapter 16
For reasons she couldn’t quite name, Cersei agreed. Harvey’s eyes flashed with joy before he quickly composed himself, though his excitement remained obvious.
“Sis, I’m not joking. Come with me, and I’ll show you. I hope you’re considering this seriously too.”
He led her upstairs, stopping in front of a door to a room she’d never seen operied before.
Harvey gestured for her to open it, his gaze gentle. Somehow Cersei knew opening that door would change everything, yet her hand moved of its own accord.
What she saw inside nearly took her breath away.
Photos of her. Everywhere.
From her childhood to now, and each one marked with what she was doing at that time.
Eight–year–old Cersei teaching Harvey how to use knife and fork.
Ten–year–old Cersei happily riding on young Harvey’s back, arms around his neck.
Twelve–year–old Cersei with tear–reddened eyes when they were separated.
After that, there were no more photos of him in her life, but he had clearly kept an eye on her.
These childhood memories were like old photographs uncovering a dusty past.
Before she met Louis, she and Harvey had been this close.
The man was no longer the awkward boy she remembered. He stepped beside her and spoke softly.
“Sis, I’ve been watching you all these years. Thank God I waited long enough for you to come back. Will you give me a chance?”
After spending these days together, Harvey’s kindness was undeniable, and she couldn’t ignore the way her heart responded.
But it all seemed too dreamlike. They were siblings. Being together might come at an enormous cost.
She wondered if this was another trap. She was a coward–afraid to gamble with the rest of her life.
But Harvey’s gaze was so honest, so burning with intensity that it scorched her heartbeat.
After a long moment, she gave a slight nod.
“Okay.”
Just one word, and Harvey’s eyes lit up like stars.
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