Callista felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. She and Castor had reached an agreement to give each other space for a while. Of course, she readily accepted. She didn't know how difficult it would be.

But she strengthened her resolve.

Everything was her fault for lying and hiding secrets. It was right that she would take the brunt of the consequences.

Callista rolled on her bed, yanking the sheets to her nose as sad songs permeated the air. Her mind kept ticking. A montage of disasters appeared before her eyes and her fingers itched to do something, something nefarious.

She didn't like pain. She hated pain.

But she knew. She fucking knew forgiveness and trust couldn't be forced out of someone.

The sun had finally risen without her getting an ounce of sleep. She walked to her bathroom and washed her face. Callista glared at her reflection. Puffy eyes and red nose greeted her along with a tiny pimple on her chin. Well, fuck. This was the consequence of eating two dozens doughnuts in one week.

God, when did everything go wrong?

Her self-pity was cut short when she heard Amanda's voice. Callista donned a robe and went out. The scene in the foyer turned her gobsmacked.

Amanda pleaded with his father who was tugging a suitcase. She ran down the stairs, heart against her throat.

"What's happening?" Her voice cracked at the end. "Dad?"

Caesar Genovese refused to look at her. He set his luggage to his side. "I'm sorry, Callista."

"You're leaving?" she asked, controlling the tremble in her voice. "You-You're leaving me?"

Her father stepped forward, caressing the side of her cheek. "You'll be okay. I set the wedding deal up so you would have someone to protect you."

"Protect me? Castor and Franco?" Caly yelled in fury. "Protecting me is your job! You're my father!"

"I'm sorry, darling," he muttered and took his bag. He turned his back and Callista clenched her fists. Her aunt Amanda was murmuring words of comfort but she couldn't hear anything.

She ran after her father, seeing him place his luggage on the back of the car.

"Dad!" she cried out. "Please don't do this." Callista grabbed her father's cuffs with both hands. "Please..."

"Caly." He shook his head and clutched her daughter's hands together. "You'll be fine."

"That's it?" Tears welled up in her eyes and dropped one by one. The skin under her eyes was tender and sore after crying for almost a week now. Callista had never felt this pathetic.

"D-dad... I know that you're—you're a busy dad. And that's okay... I understand. I'm not asking for much!" Callista exclaimed, uncaring of how desperate she sounded. "I know that we barely have dinners and that we barely see each other. B-but still... I need you! You're my dad. I will always need you!"

She couldn't breathe. Caly wept as her father rubbed her back. Her father had told her long ago that he would leave. And she had prepared herself. How come it still hurt this much?

Her father embraced her. "You'll be okay, Callista. You're strong. You are so much wiser and stronger than me."

She returned his hug and cried harder on his arms. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours but Callista's tears hadn't stopped. Her fingers gripped at her father's hands before she was forced to let go.

Callista fell on her knees as Amanda wrapped her arms around her. She watched as her father's car left the gates of their mansion.

✘✘

Callista Genovese had remained in musing as another week went by. She had fired their servants until Amanda and Thomas were the only ones left. Eula had wished to find another employer in case things would turn bad. She couldn't blame her.

Her father wasn't the governor anymore. It meant that the gangs of New York were free to turn to each other. Or worst-case scenario, exact their revenge on her. Unless of course, she would go through marriage and merge with the families who could enforce new rules and protect her.

Callista felt hopeless before she felt insulted. Why couldn't she just take her father's spot? Why did she need to have someone's protection?

Well, she didn't want to rule over anything either. Her dilemma remained and she tried to push it away as she checked her bank accounts.

Her father had left her a lot of money especially the shares he had on Starix. And even without that, Callista had several modeling contracts to answer to. She didn't have a problem in this area that she began to consider another solution to her problem.

What if she ran away and leave this behind?

Her father did the same. Their enemies would probably chase them but she doubted they would want to waste their time and limited resources. After all, there were only two families who have the power to find her or her dad.

It sounded music to her ears that Caly began searching for travel destinations. Paris, London, Tokyo, or maybe the Faroe Islands? Mancora in Peru? Her unending prospects excited her.

Callista continued mapping out her plan when her Auntie Amanda cleared her throat. "Caly, I'll go ahead. I fixed your dinner for you and stock your fridge."

She looked up from her laptop and smiled. "Thank you, Auntie. I appreciate everything."

The older woman placed a soothing hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want me to call Mallorie? She could stay with you."

Callista shook her head. She didn't think she could face Mal or Tori without breaking down. And she was tired of crying. She didn't have time to pity herself anymore. "It's okay, Auntie. I already told them I'm okay."

Caly occupied herself for the next hour when Thomas entered. "Miss Caly, you have a visitor."

Callista didn't look up as she answered. "Who?"

"The blond kid."

"Franco?" Callista stood up from the couch and marched to the door. She spotted the man and his car by the gate. "Okay, let him in."

She prepared some tea for them in the living room. Caly arranged the statement of accounts, bills, and travel brochures in a neat pile as Franco came in. He slipped off his jacket and revealed a black turtleneck and slim-fit jeans.

Franco immediately went for the tea that Caly raised an intriguing brow. She sat next to him and almost chuckled at her attire. Pink cat hoodie and grey cotton shorts. A blatant distinction to his outfit.

"What's wrong?" she began. Caly had been crying about Castor when he called. She hadn't been in the right mind to talk that she decided to invite him over. She also wanted to tell him about calling off the proposal.

"Well..." Franco swiveled his head to her, blue eyes gleaming with dread. "I have never told anyone this but..." He licked his lips, searching for the right words. "I'm..."

Caly grew frustrated. She crossed her arms. "Just spit it out."

"I'm adopted."

"Oh?" She frowned, not knowing how to react. "And...?"

Franco took another deep breath. He played with his fingers before he spoke again. "Apparently, my biological mother is Celeste Luciano."

"What?" Caly blinked a few times. "Are you joking?"

"I already confirmed my mother's story. I only need a DNA test to further confirm it." His words didn't waver as he took another sip from the tea.

"Uhm... what help do you need from me?" she asked instead. She sucked at comforting people. Caly often wondered how she had friends when her empathy was so limited.

"To marry me, of course," he declared, turning his body to hers. Franco rested a hand on her knee.

Callista swallowed, raising her head at him. "That won't be possible anymore."

"And why not?" Franco's voice had risen that she winced. He seized her wrist, blue eyes wide with desperation. "You promised me."

Caly grimaced at his tight grip. She pulled her hand back, shooting up from the couch. Wrath coursed on her veins. "You're not the only one with problems, Franco! You're not the only one with a shitty family!" She pacified herself without losing the venom on her words. "And don't forget that I have no obligation to help you!"

"What? You're the one who asked me to marry you!" he barked back and mirrored her actions.

"And? You said it yourself that you can't marry someone you love," Callista bellowed in defense. "It took me a long time but I share your sentiments now."

Franco let out a huff, running his fingers through his hair. His fists trembled as his jaw ticked in frustration. Caly frowned at the way he was losing his cool. She had never seen Franco so unhinged before.

Callista wanted to kick him out and proceed with her own plan. A plan for her benefit. Not Franco's. Not anyone else's.

But she didn't. All her life she had been doing things mainly for her interest. Damn. It was the reason why she was in this mess with Castor in the first place. Because she hadn't been honest. She hadn't taken his feelings into consideration. Because it was all about her.

"I'm sorry, Franco. But I'm not going to make another decision that will hurt others," she stated softly. "Ask me for another thing, I'll...try to help you."

"Others?" Franco scoffed. "Or him?"

Callista ignored his gibes and sat on the couch. She tucked the stray hair off her face. "Is bringing down your father that important? You just found out that half your life is a lie and taking revenge is the first thing you do?"

Franco occupied the space next to her. He rubbed a hand over his face, shoulders slumped. "Can you blame me for hating him? He used me to hurt the Lucianos." He let out another gaudy sigh. "But you're right. The truth is, I am relieved."

"Relieved?"

"Because there is a reason why my mother didn't love me. That... it wasn't my fault." Franco's sapphire eyes were glossy with unshed tears as he shifted to face her. "That something wasn't wrong with me."

Callista licked her lips, resting a hand over his arm. She didn't know what to say to him. She was glad that he wasn't focused on revenge anymore. But more than that, she couldn't help but think of Castor. Was there also a reason why his mom couldn't love him?

If the answer is no, then is there something wrong with him?

"What do you want to do?" Caly retracted her hand. "I promise I'll do my best to help."

"What do you think?" he asked, clasping his hands together. "Should I tell Castor about this?"

"Well, if you tell him, he might help you with your...other family."

"Do you think he'll accept the fact that we're brothers?" Franco's tone was curious and hopeful that Caly's lips twitched in a small smile.

She knew the answer, that Castor would be hurt. But she also wanted to give him a push. Franco had always been a lonely and aloof person in her eyes. If he was reaching out for a family, then she'd be glad to aid him.

"Cas is very understanding. He'll at least listen before yelling at you."

Franco nodded. He paused for a minute, rubbing at his chin with a pensive expression. "Can you tell him for me?"

"What?"

"Please!" he supplemented. "Just... so I can prepare a speech? I don't even know what to say to him."

Callista scratched at her temple. She appreciated Franco's attempt to ease the situation to her best friend but she doubted her presence could make the truth less distasteful.

Besides, it had only weeks since their fight. But she had given her word to help them, well, both of them.

"Okay. I'll talk to him."

✘✘

I hurt these characters way too much hahaha

thank you so much for the support in this story! Votes and comments are always appreciated.

xx, lucci