Death sucks.

Castor was sure that nobody would argue with him in that aspect. He clasped Callista's hand tighter as two coffins were lowered in the ground.

A week ago, Franco Castellano lost both of his parents.

"Why is there even death?" she muttered.

He shook his head. "That's life. Sometimes, it sucks. Sometimes, it doesn't."

Castor saw Franco turn away and began thanking their guests. He didn't know most of them but Franco remained civil, shaking hands and squeezing shoulders. He learned etiquette quite well.

He felt pity for his brother. They all knew that his father's death wouldn't be easy to accept. But his mother's death came out of nowhere.

Castor had blamed himself. He had set-up a barricade along with the shooters he posted around the venue. He could have prevented the woman's demise.

But even Franco had accepted that it was inevitable.

"Will he be okay?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied. "He knows we're here for him."

"I feel guilty, Cas." She looked up to him, her blue-gray eyes tearing up. "It's like I destroyed his life. If I didn't—if I didn't push his father—if I kept quiet and handled things carefully..."

"Shh. Don't say that." He pulled her into an embrace. "I would've never known about my brother if you stayed quiet. And you know..." He pulled back and wiped the tears off her cheek. "Despite all this, Franco and I are thankful for all your interference."

"You mean that I was nosy?" she sniffed and took a deep breath.

"Yes," Castor replied. "I can't say everything is alright with my mother and me. But I understand her much better now. Don't just count the bad things, your majesty."

She forced a smile. "I hope he'll feel better soon."

"Yeah. We'll get him into dates, get laid and then he'll be all better."

Caly snorted. "No. Don't ever do that to him."

"Drinking then?

"Stop it."

They waited until the people went home to approach the distraught man. He shot them a dry smile as they yanked the empty chairs and sat in front of him.

"Stupid question... but are you okay?" Callista started, seeing the weary lines on his handsome face.

"I think so," he forced a smile. "It's a shock."

"You wanna drink?" Castor said that Caly glared at him. "Or cry? Whatever is it you want."

Franco let out a chuckle. "No. I'm okay. But I think you should know that I will let Mr. Yusuf take care of the whole... family business thing. Is that okay?"

"Hey, it's your choice," Castor commented.

"How about the hotels and your winery?"

"I'll keep it," Franco answered with a genuine smile. "It's gonna be hard without Father's connections but... I want to try. I wanna go further without lies and betrayal and stepping on people. I know it won't be an easy transition so I'll probably need your help."

His blue eyes hardened. "In exchange, I promise our children will only inherit the good things in life."

"That depends on you Franco." He leaned forward. "I won't give up the power that lets me protect the people I love unless you show me how good the alternative is."

He caught Callista's surprise. But he hoped she would understand where he was coming from. All these deaths had open up his eyes to what he truly wanted.

"That doesn't mean I'm not rooting for you. I'll support you." Castor ruffled his brother's hair. "I'm your older brother after all."

Franco swatted his hand away. "I'm older than you!"

Caly grinned at them as the somber mood improved.

"And Caly?" Franco asked.

"I don't know yet." She shook her head. "I wanted a normal life..."

Castor felt his chest ache.

"But if that's what you want Franco, I'll give you all the support you need," she added with a wide smile.

✘✘

Franco had found himself walking around the city with no aim. He talked big with Caly and Castor but his mind was still a big mess.

One thing was clear though. He would have a different path than his father.

And his mother...

Her decision was painful.

It shocked him. He didn't want to care. He didn't want to cry. He didn't want to shed tears for an unfeeling mother.

But fuck it.

There was a gaping hole in her heart.

Did it mean that in the end... she did love him?

That question would never have an answer.

But he was starting to realize that no matter how much he denied it, he had cared for Althea Castellano. She had been his mother for almost twenty years.

Dandelions floated before his eyes.

"Hi! Want to buy flowers?"

Franco arched an eyebrow at the girl who's holding a bouquet of yellow dandelions. She beamed at him and he raised his eyes to see that he stood before a flower shop.

"What does it mean?" he asked.

The girl blinked in confusion before she smiled. "Ah, it means 'overcoming hardship'. It's the flower of healing. You know you need this! That frown in your face... dandelions will make you feel better!"

He laughed. Her biological mother had believed in that and yet, she hurt Castor for years.

If flowers healed everything, his life would be so much better.

"Why are you laughing, mister? Flowers heal, you know." She declared, eyes burning with a challenge.

Franco cleared his throat. "Sorry. I wasn't insulting you. How much is it?"

"You're gonna buy? Oh my god! You're my first customer!"

Franco chuckled. Her sunny disposition was contagious. "Hey, what's your name?"

She looked back from her task. Her brown hair shining against the sun as another smile lit up her face. "I'm Ivy."

✘✘