Chapter 25: Blood That Cannot Be Denied

2My mind turned completely white, like a blank sheet of paper.

At the same time, my insides churned in utter confusion.

My father.

Was that cold and terrifying man truly the father who had abandoned me?

“D-Don’t lie. I’m not… someone like that….”

As I staggered backward, the man rose from his seat and approached me.

He grabbed my chin and examined my face from every angle.

“Well, you may not resemble me, but blood cannot be deceived.”

“Let go of me!”

“Your blood type is Rh-negative O, isn’t it?”

“So what if it is…!”

“Because I’m Rh-negative. And so is your younger sibling.”

What on earth was this man saying?

Was he really… truly my father?

“That kind of thing… could just be a coincidence!”

“Of course. Except for the fact that it’s extremely rare, and that you had my button. Ah, and that you’re the spitting image of that woman.”

From the circumstances, “that woman” must have meant my biological mother.

But still….

“What does it matter now? You threw me away to live or die…!”

When I glared at him, the man let out a small sigh, as if regretful.

He shook his head.

“No. No. I never abandoned you.”

“W-What?”

“That woman ran off on her own with my button and the child. Though I never imagined she’d dump you in such a shabby circus troupe.”

The man clicked his tongue briefly.

But I knew now.

Even if that were true, he would never have searched for me.

So there must be a reason he was claiming to be my father now.

I slapped his hand away and asked,

“What does that have to do with anything? Just tell me what you want. You didn’t come here just to reminisce.”

Grinding my trembling teeth together, I demanded an answer.

The man took a step back and returned to his seat.

“You’re sharp. Good. Why don’t you sit down first? It’s not a bad proposal for you either.”

At his words, I walked to the seat opposite him and dropped down heavily.

“As I said, our blood type is very rare. I didn’t expect even that woman to share it.”

When I stared silently at him, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and continued explaining.

“You have a younger sibling… ah, that would make the two of you half-siblings. The child is frail and often needs blood. Unfortunately, the child shares our blood type, so transfusions aren’t easy.”

“Then just give your own blood.”

Remaining cautious, I asked.

He let out a faint scoff, as though I had said something absurd.

Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, he blew the smoke toward me and replied,

“The more blood we can secure, the better. For us, it’s fortunate that you appeared. They say coincidence repeated becomes fate. Blood ties are quite fascinating, aren’t they? It was only one night, after all.”

The acrid smoke nearly made me cough, but I endured it and glared at him.

Without the slightest hint of apology, he said,

“Ah, pardon me. Anyway, what I mean to say is… though it’s late, I’d like to register you as my daughter. What do you think?”

“What?”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

Yet the man remained shameless.

“A father who lost his daughter has finally found her. Is it so strange that he would take her back into the family?”

Of course it was strange.

Even after finding my family, I felt no joy—only humiliation.

I had never held great expectations about meeting them, but the father who appeared before me far exceeded anything I could have imagined.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

I clenched my teeth and moved to stand, but he casually tossed out a remark.

To me, it felt like a heavy thorn lodged deep.

“This isn’t the time to cling to pride.”

At his words, my whole body stiffened.

“Seeing you sell your blood, it seems your situation isn’t very good… Or is there some romance in living in this shabby circus?”

My heart sank at his sneering tone.

My misfortune was nothing more than amusement to him.

“Watch your words.”

“If not, then there’s no reason for you not to come with me.”

With every word he spoke, my eyes burned red.

Seeing my flushed face, he seemed to think he had gained the upper hand.

“If you come with me, at least you won’t have to sell your blood for such pitiful prices.”

I couldn’t refute him.

His proposal was cruel for something a father said to his daughter.

Yet for someone cornered at the edge of a cliff, it was undeniably tempting.

I had to think rationally.

“Innocence is a sin.”

Gyesa’s voice echoed in my ears.

Along with the abyss-like black eyes he had when he chose death to let me go.

Anger, misery, injustice.

All those emotions swirled inside me.

“Then I have a condition.”

After taking a deep breath, I spoke.

The man tilted his head, signaling me to continue.

“I’ll give as much blood as needed… but take Gyesa with us.”

“Gyesa?”

He frowned, as if unable to recall.

“The person who was with me last time. Please pay off Gyesa’s debt to the ringmaster.”

“Ah, that….”

Recognition dawned on him, and he nodded.

Then he asked,

“Are you telling me to buy that man?”

“No. Pay off his debt so no one can bind him with money. You mustn’t buy him either. If not, I will never sell my blood again. Even if it means being tied to this circus for life.”

Meeting his gaze with fierce eyes, I spoke firmly.

He let out a low snort.

His deliberation was brief—perhaps only long enough to wet his throat.

“Fine. That trifling sum. For my daughter, why wouldn’t I pay it?”

Shamelessly, he called me his daughter.

But he accepted my proposal.

Ridiculously, that alone made me feel like crying.

“However, he cannot come with us.”

“Why?”

He gave a faint laugh, as though I had asked something obvious.

“I loathe taking in mongrels without blood ties. Who knows whether he’d be useful or not? I’m no philanthropist.”

Dizziness washed over me at his answer.

Yet I had no choice.

Yes.

Perhaps not going with that dreadful man to his mansion… might be the better way to grant Gyesa true freedom.

“Until when is this possible?”

Holding back tears, I asked.

“What’s the point in delaying? I’ll pay right away. You there!”

At his shout, the ringmaster poked his head in and hurried over with sly steps.

“Yes, yes. Sir. You called?”

“That… what was his name?”

“Gyesa.”

“Yes, Gyesa. What’s his debt?”

“G-Gyesa? Why would you—”

The ringmaster faltered, but under the man’s cold stare, he quickly answered.

“I-It’s one thousand five hundred won.”

“I’ll pay it.”

“Excuse me?!”

The ringmaster’s eyes widened.

“W-Why would you… buy that bastard?”

“Must I explain everything to you?”

At the man’s icy words, the ringmaster shook his head frantically.

“N-No! I understand!”

“I’ll have the money delivered later. Release him immediately.”

“Y-Yes, of course!”

Ignoring the ringmaster’s obsequiousness, the man looked straight at me.

“There. Satisfied? Is there any need to stay here longer?”

“Not exactly… but give me a little time. I need to finish things.”

He nodded.

“Fine. A day should be enough to tidy up. Is there anything worth taking from this place?”

Even without finishing the sentence, I knew what he meant.

“Stop with the insults. I’ll keep my promise.”

“As you wish. I’ll come to fetch you tomorrow at noon.”

He rose from his seat.

Then, as if recalling something, he turned back.

“Make sure you settle things cleanly with that Gyesa fellow. I don’t want any troublesome leeches tagging along.”

He left the tent without hesitation.

As soon as he disappeared, the ringmaster rushed toward me.

“What did you talk about with that gentleman? Why would he come to take you?”

Though he questioned me excitedly, I had no reason to answer.

When I ignored him and stood up, he grabbed my arm roughly.

“Let go.”

At my cold voice, he twisted his face and spat out a curse.

“Have you lost your mind?!”

“I’m no longer part of this circus. Don’t touch me as you please. I owe nothing here, and I have no intention of staying.”

“W-What…?!”

“And don’t meddle with Gyesa anymore. You promised earlier, didn’t you? Try laying a hand on him. I won’t stay silent anymore.”

“Y-You wench…!”

I might be easy to bully, but that man frightened him.

The ringmaster was a coward.

And perhaps I was no different, hiding behind that man’s authority.

Still, what did it matter?

I stepped out of the ringmaster’s tent, trying to steady my cold, sinking emotions.

Feeling cowardly like him made my mood wretched.

But I had done what I could.

I decided to believe that.

At last, the end of my life in the circus was approaching, just as I had once wished.

Yet I did not know whether this was truly right.

“Don’t look back.”

I had already made countless choices and regretted many.

I had learned that imagining “what if” was useless.

There was only responsibility for the path I chose.

And at the end of that responsibility stood Gyesa.

“…Gyesa.”

I called him in a low, heavy voice.

He sat blankly before the vanity mirror.

Unfamiliar stubble shadowed his chin.

Dark circles lay beneath his blackened eyes as he looked at me, and a heavy darkness settled in his gaze.

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