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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Unlike the usual scene in Lucian and Ashley's room, neither of them was in bed yet. Normally, Lucian would already be lying down with his laptop. But tonight, he stood near the bed while Ashley stepped out of the adjoining walk-in closet.


"I'm going to check on Betty," she said. She had already been planning to tell him to go to bed first, but he beat her to it. "I'm a bit worried about her. Don't wait for me. Be back real quick!"


Lucian maintained an unreadable expression, only lifting his arm to check his watch. "At this hour?"


"Mhm." She nodded. "Betty just lives five somersaults away from the main residence."


There shouldn't be a problem with that.


But Lucian looked at her sternly. "It's the dead of night."


"And…?" she tilted her head, only to hear him say,


"It's not proper… for a married woman."


Chapter 79 - It's Not Proper, For A Married Woman