My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Do Not Forget How You Won Today

Lucian loosened his tie as he breathed out heavily.

For some reason, he felt nauseous and suffocated. He gulped as the corners of his eyes reddened from the tightness in his chest. Struggling to remain composed, he reached for the teapot, opened the lid, and finished the remaining tea in one breath.

He leaned back and drew a deep breath, his eyes closed until his breathing stabilized.

The three men remained sprawled where they had fallen. As for the man seated across from him—Hector—his body had already slumped to the side. Blood had splattered across the corner, mixing with the trail crawling from Hector’s temple and stretching across the floor.

When Lucian opened his eyes, he remembered Hector’s last words before finally surrendering to his fate.

"Luciano, I am not the only one who has grown impatient," Hector had said, his shoulders sagging as he chuckled with his eyes lowered.

But when he lifted his gaze, he smirked even in defeat. "Leave my daughter out of this, and I’ll tell you one important thing."

A moment of silence fell between them as both men stared at each other.

"Some people have already gotten wind of your health problems, and they’ve been betting on that," Hector said with a quiet, dry laugh. "They were hoping you’d simply drop dead without anyone lifting a finger. But... we heard that you’ve been doing better than you were supposed to."

He laughed and shook his head. "Perhaps that’s the reason I made such foolish decisions so hastily. The fear that you might recover and live a longer life... and that I would never get the chance to avenge the late Madam."

"Luciano, you might’ve won today, but do not forget how you won," he added like a curse. "Family. That woman and that son of yours... it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself sitting in the same spot I am in right now."

He laughed as he drew a deep breath, resigning himself to his fate as though this final reflection had become a confession of his true feelings.

"I know it was a mistake to cherish them, but it was hard not to." For the first time, he smiled with peace and affection, nothing like the vengeful and prideful man he had been moments ago.

He blinked at Lucian and studied him carefully. "But I regret them, especially now. Not because I wish I didn’t have a weakness, but because they deserved a better man. My wife deserved a better husband, and my daughter deserved a better father."

"That..." he trailed off. "... is my regret — that greed."

With that, Hector picked up the pistol within his reach and, without hesitation, placed it against his temple and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

The echoes of the gunshot lingered, but the silence that followed was far more deafening. Lucian watched without flinching, and for several minutes, he remained there.

And so, here he was, recalling Hector’s final moments.

"Weakness," he whispered, piecing together Hector’s words. Then, he thought of Ashley and Primo. "I don’t need to stand at death’s door to know... they deserve better."

Lucian closed his eyes once more and drew a deep breath, sitting motionless with his thoughts in the deafening silence.

These things were not new to him, nor to anyone living within the treacherous world they walked through.

One had to use everything to win each battle.

Meanwhile, outside the temple, Gustav and Lukas waited for Lucian to come out. They hadn’t stayed inside because they understood Lucian would want some privacy.

When Lukas slid his eyes toward Gustav, who stood stiffly nearby, he smirked. "Still questioning where my loyalty lies, Gustav?"

Slowly, Gustav’s brows rose as he shifted his gaze toward Lukas. His expression didn’t change, nor did he answer.

"My loyalty is to the man I answer to," Lukas stressed, referring to the conversation they had been interrupted from days ago. "Don’t you ever question that again."

Gustav simply drew a deep breath, only turning his head when he caught sight of Lucian exiting the temple. He straightened immediately and waited until Lucian reached them.

Lucian paused, looking to his left and right where both men stood. Then he reached out and patted Lukas on the shoulder.

"Good work," he said neutrally, though it was enough to make Lukas smile with pride.

Then he turned to Gustav. "Clean up the mess and make a donation to the temple to express our gratitude."

"Yes, Master," Gustav lowered his head before asking, "Are you headed home now, Master?"

"Not yet," Lucian darted his eyes between the two men. "Let’s make a quick detour before I go home."

Gustav and Lukas exchanged glances, their brows knitting together before they returned their attention to their boss. By then, Lucian had already started walking away as he said:

"I called a meeting in the High Chamber."