My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 150

Chapter 150: I... don’t do such foolish things.

[Flashback]

"Just why won’t you let me go?!" Ashley screamed hysterically in Lucian’s office, standing before him. She ground her teeth, grabbing his chest as she glared at him. "Why? Just what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Lucian held her arm tightly, his complexion paler than usual. Yet the cold look in his expression remained.

Tears brimmed in her eyes until the corners reddened, her chest heaving heavily as her emotions reached an all-time high.

"Lucian... why?" she breathed out, a stark contrast to her earlier yelling. Her desperation was clear. "Why? Do you really need something from the Di Carpios? Hah. Tell me. I’ll get it for you—"

She paused, then shouted once more, "I’ll even kill all of them for you if that’s the only way you’ll let me go! Tell me! What the fuck do you want?!"

Ashley shook him, screaming until her throat felt raw. Yet he simply stood there, holding her arm to stop her. She screamed and screamed until that anger turned into sobs.

"Why...?" she wondered through gritted teeth and sniffles.

She lowered her head until her forehead rested against his chest. "Just why... can’t you let me go?"

His eyes softened as he gazed down, seeing her frail shoulders trembling. His jaw tightened, and a lump formed in his throat, urging him to comfort her. However, he knew that trying to would only insult her.

She was like this because of him.

Because he wouldn’t let her go.

Ashley was losing her mind because he was forcing her into things she didn’t want—like getting a degree and attending social events. If he truly wanted to comfort her, he should just let her go.

But... he just couldn’t.

Suddenly, Ashley’s shoulders stopped trembling. Then, a short, dry laugh escaped her lips.

"Don’t tell me..." she trailed off, looking up at him. "Lucian, do you love me?"

His impenetrable eyes and inscrutable expression gave nothing away.

"No," his answer was cold and absolute.

"Hah," she scoffed. "You don’t?"

"No, I don’t," he repeated with finality. For the first time, his lips twitched into a faint, twisted smirk as a quiet chuckle escaped him.

"I... don’t do such foolish things. I can’t."

Ashley’s face twisted in helplessness as tears fell down her cheeks. "Then... why? WHY?!"

*****

[Present Time]

Bitterness mixed with her faint smile as Ashley voiced the question that had lingered in the back of her mind since the beginning, not just of this rebirth, but even in her previous life.

Lucian had been clear about one thing: he didn’t do love.

When she brought it up before, she knew he hadn’t been lying. He meant every word. It wasn’t love that made him keep her. And yet, he never gave her a clear answer as to why he held on to her as if his life depended on it.

"I lost count of how many times I stopped myself from asking... can you just love me?"

It would be easier to understand him if he did.

Silence stretched between them as Ashley carried a small smile, while Lucian stared at her with mild surprise.

"Our relationship is so abnormal," she muttered, looking away as her grip on the sheet loosened. "No matter how much I try to make it normal, it just isn’t. We’re a married couple, but only on paper. You care enough for me, but not enough to love me."

She puffed her cheeks, realizing she was rambling. "It would be easier—more understandable—if you just loved me, you know? Even though I know you don’t, pretending is fine. At least I wouldn’t keep wondering why you’re so nice to me."

Each word that left her lips tightened around his heart as if trying to stop it from beating. His eyes slowly widened as he held his breath.

Ashley sat right beside him, close enough that he didn’t even need to stretch out his arm to reach her. Yet his hand rose... and stopped midway.

"Hmm?" Her brows lifted as she turned to him, catching his hand mid-reach.

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