Caleb let go of his head and slumped back on the couch.
Why…?
The question replayed in his mind as he went over the moment he hijacked Lucy.
He'd asked about a secret only she and his mom were supposed to know.
But Lucy's answer never touched on the ugly thing that had happened to his mom.
That could only mean one thing—
From the start, that secret wasn't just theirs.
So… who else knew?
His thoughts drifted back through the years, recalling the older woman who had always been there, lingering at the edges of his life.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Luna.
The name stabbed into his nerves like a needle of ice.
Caleb let out a long breath.
This world… is filthy.
The more he learned, the clearer it became—rot didn't just live in one person, it clung to every corner he'd ever touched.
Out of nowhere, Mona crossed his mind.
The influencer he'd felt sorry for earlier.
The way she fought to keep her dignity, the way she held herself up in life—it reminded him of his mom.
She wasn't guilty of anything. She was just playing by the system, just trying to live better. She wasn't evil… he thought.
But a cold whisper slithered through his heart.
So did my mom.
Caleb's jaw tightened.
Then why am I doubting? My mom never did anything wrong either. She was good, but… if even my mom, who was good, could be dragged through the mud… Then what chance does Mona have if she crosses me?
His thoughts started turning more logically.
If Lucy ever actually gave Mona a job and she still talking shit about me or my mother, he thought, leaning forward a little and clasping his hands together, breath growing heavier… "Maybe I could punish that mouth of hers and enjoy it at the same time…"
A twisted reaction crept in—Caleb was overcome by a cocktail of vengeance and shameful lust.
"Shit…" he muttered, his smile stretching wider.
"With this system… I can literally ruin people's lives whenever I want." His grin deepened.
"No time to mope," he said, grabbing his cap and mask. "I've got to pick…"
He pulled his cap on and readied his mask.
"Be a victim… or…" He slipped the mask over his face and stood, walking toward the door. "No… I just need to be my picky self. That's enough."
He opened the door and stepped outside.
Lucy was still sitting in the chair near the flower shop's cashier.
Her hands twisted together, fingers clenching. Her gaze was fixed on the untouched black-and-purple bouquet in front of her.
Outside, the glow from the streetlamps shimmered on dry autumn leaves tumbling along with the night breeze.
She knew Caleb might be shaken by what he'd just heard.
But… it would be worse if this secret stayed buried.
"I'm sorry, sweetie," she murmured. "I know it hurts… but you need to know."
Caleb turned, eyes narrowing behind his mask. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Well, well… since when did the sarcastic aunt turn all soft? Like a cute little bunny," he teased.
Lucy blinked. "You…?"
Caleb took a long breath. "Yeah, I'm pissed. But what's the point of sulking? Better to think about how to get even."
Lucy stiffened. "Caleb… that's dangerous."
He chuckled. "It's fine. Might not even happen anytime soon. I don't even know where they live."
Lucy lowered her head—a small movement, but enough for Caleb to catch it.
She was hiding something.
His eyes narrowed further.
So… Aunt Lucy does know where those bastards live.
In his mind, Caleb was already calculating the distance.
All it would take was one hijack… and every door would be wide open.
But before he could follow that thought, the little bell above the door chimed.
The shop suddenly filled with customers—some picking out black roses and purple carnations for tomorrow's Halloween, others carrying small pumpkin decorations or wearing orange-and-black accessories.
"Tomorrow's Halloween," a man said, pointing at the black roses. "Gotta get the perfect bouquet to be a classy vampire."
"Hey, hey… you heard the latest gossip about ButtManiac?" his friend cut in, speaking in a low but excited tone. "Apparently his neighbor's doing a live interview tonight…"
Caleb slowly turned his head toward the voice, a thin smile curling beneath his mask.
Oh, you'll see something interesting during that live interview, buddy, he thought—already picturing his revenge on old Joe, the man bold enough to spread nasty rumors about his mother… and about him.
Turns out, the flower shop never stopped being busy.
All day, people kept coming in—some buying bouquets for costume parties, others just grabbing a single black rose for style.
Caleb pitched in—wrapping flowers, cutting ribbons, arranging vases on the shelves.
Time seemed to fly in the middle of the constant chime of the doorbell and the laughter of customers.
Eventually, the late afternoon light began to turn golden, bouncing off the dry leaves outside.
Lucy set the flower shears down on the counter, smiling faintly.
"Good work, Caleb," she said with a chuckle. "Do you actually like working like this?"
Caleb raised an eyebrow, a small smile hidden behind his mask. "Well… it's enough to take the edge off my stress."
The bell above the door chimed again. Tring…
Lucy glanced over, mumbling, "One more."
But as her eyes focused on the doorway, her smile faded.
Caleb turned to look as well.
Standing in the doorway was a woman—long, straight black hair, a fitted coat that hugged her figure, a beautiful face with a sharp gaze. She wasn't as old as Lucy, but her mature aura was undeniable.
Luna.
Even with Caleb wearing a mask and a cap, Luna spotted him instantly.
The moment their eyes met, she gave a faint smile… and walked quickly toward him, her steps just barely trembling, her gaze never leaving his masked face.