The life of the underworld was something Ashley had dreamed of escaping all her life. Born as a bastard from an affair between an underworld kingpin and a prostitute, Ashley was meant to die even before she was born. The only reason she survived was that her father thought she was a boy.

From a young age, she understood that if she wanted to survive in this world of violence—on top of her father’s wife and daughter’s schemes—she had to be useful.

So, she made herself a promise: one day, she would escape this world.

Ashley almost succeeded… until her father found her again and thrust her into a marriage of convenience with his rival, Dominion, in his beloved daughter’s place.

Everyone in the underworld knew Dominion.

They were cruel, organized, and simply spawns of evil. And the man who stood above that power, Luciano, was said to be downright diabolical. Just their name alone could make anyone tremble.

And this organization was where Ashley now had to survive.

To make matters worse, the marriage also came with a child — Luciano’s mute heir.

Forced to become the wife of one of the most violent and powerful underworld organizations, and the mother of its future leader, Ashley made a vow.

“No matter what, I’ll escape this place!”

But she would soon realize it wouldn’t be as simple as that. Not when the feared members of Dominion clung to her feet, begging,

“Madam, don’t go!”

And when the mute stepson finally spoke, “Mommy, if you’re leaving, please take me with you.”

Finally, her diabolical, obsessive, and utterly territorial husband said,

“I’ve packed our things. Where should we go?”

***
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Ashley closed the door behind her with a smile on her face. Looking back, a shallow chuckle escaped her.


I guess that's enough bothering him for now, she thought, figuring she had just unleashed chaos in Primo's room, especially since he had looked a little down again.


But as she turned, she paused the moment she caught sight of Lucian's figure. He was heading down the other hallway, his back turned in her direction.


"Is he just coming back now?" she wondered. "That took longer than I thought."


Dealing with Patrick wasn't the reason Lucian was just coming back now; it was something else.


Ashley hummed and narrowed her eyes, muttering, "Strike while the iron is hot."


And with those words leaving her mouth, Ashley grinned and skipped forward to catch up to Lucian. During their last days on the trip, he had been too busy — and so had she. It was better to make sure she was still in his good graces… or whether Gustav had already poisoned his mind.


Chapter 36 - Designated Smoking Area