Chapter 26 My Mother

Leonardo Sebastian Franco's POV

My mother comes downstairs as I exit the dining room after breakfast. She’s wearing a camel-colored Dior coat, a Hermes scarf, and a Louis Vuitton handbag over her arm. Since we made our money, my father has turned her into a walking luxury brand. It’s an overkill. He’s trying to make up for those days none of us can forget but will never mention. He loves my mother.

“Morning,” I say, the nagging guilt and questions from yesterday still burrowing like splinters under my skin.

She pulls on a pair of gloves and stops at the bottom of the staircase with a soft smile. Her words are equally soft, as if she’s scared to speak up, scared she’ll be heard. “Good morning.”

I stop in front of her. “Where are you going?” It’s early. My father is still sleeping.

“To the store. We’re out of rice. I’ll get some oranges while I’m there. I know how much you like those ones from Thailand’s jasmine rice. They’re sweeter than the local varieties. Has Venus left?”

“Five minu