My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Mama

Since the parent-teacher meeting and the minor parking incident, Lucian’s plans for the day had been pushed aside. Instead, they went home to rest and share a family dinner — it had been a while since they’d eaten together.

"Eat well, Madam," Nolan said as he set the last dish on the table, giving Ashley a knowing look.

Ashley smiled, her cheeks going pink. "Nolan, don’t tease me."

"Haha," he laughed. "Shall I head back to my place once they come down?"

"Hmm..." Ashley thought about it for a second, then nodded.

Nolan glanced toward the kitchen to make sure everything was in order. She had helped him set up while Primo and Lucian went to change.

"I’ll be next door if you need me," he said, as always, before heading out.

Ashley watched Nolan’s petite figure until her smile softened.

"Nolan," she called. He stopped and looked back. "Thank you. These past few days... thank you."

There was so much she wanted to thank him for, but the list would have been too long. Even so, she was grateful for everything he had done. He may not have been the first person to show her they cared — there had been someone among the Di Carpio household — but he was the first whose care hadn’t gotten them killed.

His smile softened. "You don’t have to, Madam," he said with an encouraging nod. "I’m just glad everything is fine now."

With that, Nolan bid her an early good night and slipped out through the side door.

Ashley’s smile stretched wider. "Me too," she whispered.

Just then, she heard footsteps on the stairs. She turned to find Lucian and Primo coming down to join her at the table.

It had barely been a week, but all three of them quietly knew they had missed this.

Just the three of them, sharing a meal, talking about nothing in particular, and watching Ashley get worked up over the smallest things. Tonight, it was the van owner.

As they ate, Lucian paused.

He glanced at Ashley, who was still going on about the absurdity of the man with the van, and then shifted his gaze to Primo, who was listening to her with complete attention.

And in that moment, he realized something.

He and Primo could no longer live without her. He had tried to convince himself otherwise this past week, but it was simply impossible.

As the realization settled over him, his hand reached for hers.

"That little shi—" she caught herself just in time. She paused and turned to Lucian. "Huh?"

Primo blinked and looked at Lucian too, curious.

"..." Lucian held her gaze and squeezed her hand. "Sorry."

Both Ashley and Primo blinked.

"I mean it," he said quietly. "I... made a huge mistake." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Primo kept his observant eyes on Lucian, reading the sincerity there. There wasn’t a trace of reluctance in Lucian’s expression. Just a quiet, steady accountability.

The first time he had heard Lucian apologize, it had been stiff and forced — back when Ashley had gone after him to stop him from leaving.

This was nothing like that.

Sorry... Primo thought, turning the word over in his mind. One he was still learning to use himself.

"You already said sorry," Ashley mumbled, leaning back slightly. "Why do you keep apologizing?"

Then she noticed Primo watching. She straightened, lifted her chin, and cleared her throat.

"Good!" she declared. "Apologize when you should!"

She turned to Primo. "Right? When you’re in the wrong, you say sorry! That’s how it is!"

Primo nodded firmly, keeping a note of that.

"Hehe," she laughed, pleased with herself, before looking back at Lucian. She clicked her tongue softly and leaned toward him. "Forgiven, but not forgotten. Don’t do it again, okay?"

He nodded. "Never again."

She smiled in satisfaction. "Now let’s eat."

With that, the three of them returned to their meal, the last of the tension gone. There were still things Ashley wanted to discuss with Lucian, but they both understood those conversations could wait.

Not in front of Primo.

And so the evening passed quietly, the three of them idled at home until, before they knew it, it was nearly bedtime.

[Earlier at the meeting, you said Dad... and Mom.]

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