Caleb eyed the woman from head to toe. Still on guard.
Did she really not care about the news? Or… was she just seeing this as an opportunity? Clout-chasing?
But when she touched his hand—it felt different. Warm. No pressure. No shady intent he could pick up on.
"I'm Lucy," the woman said as she poured coffee into an old pastel-colored cup. "You probably don't remember… but when you were little, I used to carry you around all the time."
Caleb rolled his eyes internally. Classic aunty talk.
"Of course you wouldn't remember. You were only two. Never sat still, always tugging at the flowers in your mom's garden."
Lucy let out a soft sigh. "You're starting to look more and more like your mother, Caleb…"
Caleb raised an eyebrow. "More like my mom?"
Lucy gave a gentle smile. "Very much so. Especially after she divorced your dad. She became more guarded. Harder to trust people. But deep down… she never stopped being full of love."
Those words made Caleb tense up a little. His eyes narrowed.
"If you were that close… why didn't you come to the funeral? Two years ago?" he asked, voice cold and full of suspicion.
Lucy paused, then let out a light chuckle.
"Don't be like that, Caleb. I cared deeply about your mom. We were… really close. But I had an important meeting at the time."
"A meeting," Caleb repeated flatly.
Lucy nodded. "Yeah. I may look like just a simple flower shop owner, but I'm actually a seasoned businesswoman. An investor, too. This shop? Just my escape from the chaos."
Caleb said nothing.
"And one thing I'll always remember… your mom loved flowers."
"Flowers?" Caleb asked. "Which kind?"
Lucy smiled faintly, eyes drifting a bit.
"She loved… Astaria Bloom. A rare flower. Only blooms five days a year. Bluish-purple. Smells like peace itself."
Caleb froze.
Astaria Bloom.
He remembered seeing that flower on his mom's table. Years ago. Back when the house was still whole. Back when they were still whole.
"…So you're not just pretending," he muttered quietly.
Lucy looked at him.
"Of course not. You're not some project. You're the child of my best friend. And you don't have to worry!"
"Worry? What do you mean?" Caleb asked, now even more suspicious.
Lucy chuckled, crossed her arms, and looked at him with a soft expression.
"I'm not one of those trashy influencers who whore themselves out on other people's misery for attention and a few bucks from social media."
Caleb stayed quiet. That soft, motherly face had just dropped a line so sharp—and he honestly loved hearing it.
Lucy took a slow breath, then smiled again.
"Alright, go ahead and eat. You look hungry."
Caleb stared at her for a moment, then finally nodded. He grabbed the sandwich already laid out and took a slow bite.
It tasted… good.
But his mouth still felt bitter.
In his head, the questions wouldn't stop spinning.
Was this all a trap? Did she have some hidden agenda?
Suddenly—
Bzzzzzz…
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Caleb stopped chewing instantly, his hand moving slowly to pull it out. The cracked screen lit up. A name appeared.
[Luna]
Lucy, who was clearing away the cups, turned her head.
"A friend of yours?"
"Luna," Caleb said shortly.
Lucy's face shifted. That gentle smile vanished, replaced by a… slightly annoyed expression.
Caleb noticed the change. His brows furrowed.
"What? You look kinda pissed."
Lucy looked at him for a second, then glanced away.
"It's nothing."
Silence. Then, in a sharper tone:
"That crybaby… now she's playing the mature lady role, huh? She was always clingy with your mom back then."
"…What?" Caleb blinked, confused.
Lucy didn't elaborate.
She just stood up, straightened her apron, and walked over to the flower display.
"Go ahead, take the call," she said casually.
"I'll just tidy up the shop a bit."
Caleb pressed the green button and brought the phone to his ear.
"Caleb?" Luna's voice was soft, just like always. "Are you okay?"
He paused for a moment, then replied quietly,
"Still alive. That's enough, right?" he joked.
Luna let out a light chuckle, relieved.
"I rented a small house on the outskirts. It's kinda far, but it's quiet. Away from downtown Torkside… I think you'll like it."
Caleb looked up for a second.
The flower shop was silent, only the sound of dry leaves rustling in the wind outside.
"Isn't that… too much trouble?" he asked, voice a bit hesitant.
"Not at all," Luna answered quickly.
"Your mom… she used to help me a lot. Now it's my turn. And I want to."
Caleb went quiet. Her words… hit something inside him.
Mom again. Still making my life easier… even when she's gone.
His hand tightened around the phone.
"Caleb?" Luna called again, her voice gentle. "Where are you right now?"
Caleb glanced toward the back room, where Lucy was still rearranging flower pots.
"I'm with… someone who says she used to be close with my mom. An old friend."
"Oh yeah?" Luna sounded curious. "What's her name?"
Caleb let out a slow breath.
"…Lucy."
Silence.
A few seconds.
"…What?" Luna's tone shifted.
The warmth? Gone.