My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Our Kid

Today, listening to Lucian, Ashley finally managed to find the words that had eluded her from the beginning.

All those things he had made her do and acquire — like getting a diploma — were unnecessary for Dominion. Other conclusions had crossed her mind, like perhaps Lucian was ashamed that his wife and the madam of Dominion was illiterate.

That was why he had been pushing her so hard.

In this lifetime, it was the same... although he hadn’t forced her yet. But she knew he would, eventually.

Now, that question that had always lingered at the back of her mind resurfaced. Finally, she could put the right words to it.

I thought it was just who he is, Ashley thought. That he fixes things before they become a problem.

However, it was becoming clear to her that it wasn’t as simple as that anymore. If anything, it didn’t look like a mere habit.

I might be wrong, she told herself. But he does... sound desperate.

If one just paid close attention.

"Lucian, why are you trying so hard to fix problems that haven’t happened yet?"

Silence stretched between them as they held each other’s gaze. A brief look of surprise surfaced on his face, as if he hadn’t expected such a question.

Ashley tilted her head to the side, moving closer to him. "Why?"

"..." His lips parted as he caught the deep curiosity in her eyes.

It made his heart race, panic settling beneath his skin. With her eyes gleaming with curiosity, it felt as though if she stared long enough, she would find out. That she would read him like an open book.

And for the first time, Lucian felt... fear.

Not of her finding out, but of what would come after.

"Lucian?" she called once more, snapping him out of his thoughts. She blinked innocently. "You look a little pale. Are you okay?"

Instead of answering, he blurted out quietly, "I can’t answer that," Referring to her first question.

She frowned. "Huh? Why?"

"Because..." he breathed out, choosing his words carefully. His eyes assessed her expression, and then Nolan’s reminders rang in his head on repeat.

He knew that open communication was important. Nolan had said so, and the enormous, messy misunderstanding had proven it. But it was too soon.

Too soon for this.

"I need... time," he whispered, watching her brows rise. "If I answer now, it’ll be a lie."

And he didn’t want to lie.

If she found out now, her reaction was the least of his concerns. It was the things she would probably do for him. The worry, the mental load he didn’t want her to carry. There was a lot at stake, and he... would never forgive himself if he put her through all of that.

Ashley blinked slowly and drew back a little, her eyes never leaving his face before she finally nodded in understanding.

"Okay," she breathed out and smiled softly. "Don’t lie. Take your time."

Lucian almost sighed in relief — and yet he couldn’t. If anything, it felt as though he had just lodged a thorn in his throat that would stay there for a long time.

Ashley leaned comfortably against the headboard. Shooting him a sideways glance, the corner of her mouth hooked into a playful smile.

"Lucian, you’re making it sound like a scary thing," she joked, bumping her shoulder against his. "Why? Are you dying or something?"

He turned to look at her, making her bite her tongue.

"Heh." An awkward chuckle escaped her. "Sorry. I said I was going to give you time. I’ll wait until you’re ready."

"I’m sorry," he said, waiting for her to look back at him. "I said I would be truthful and maintain open communication."

She chuckled. "It’s kind of hard, isn’t it?"

"Hmm?"

Deep down, he was relieved she was so understanding. But at the same time, it piqued his curiosity. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

I don’t like thinking about the Lucian I knew... or the person I used to be.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify