My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 358

Chapter 358: Don’t sit with the pain. Outshout it.

[Flashback]

Five-year-old Ashley looked around the glamorous room, her mouth slightly open in awe.

In the center were several couches surrounding a coffee table.

Marshal sat on one of them, engaged in a discussion with another man. Ashley couldn’t understand what they were talking about. She was too busy admiring the room.

It was the first time Marshal had taken her somewhere with him. Like a father-daughter outing. Because of that, she had been secretly hoping they would get ice cream afterward.

But those innocent thoughts came to an abrupt halt when Scott suddenly stepped forward.

Standing beside her moments ago, he now walked toward the two men.

His footsteps barely made a sound.

Then—

BANG!

Ashley jolted. Her eyes widened in horror.

Scott had approached the men, pulled out a pistol, and shot the other man in the back of the head without hesitation.

The deafening gunshot echoed through the room. A sharp ringing filled her ears.

The man who had been speaking moments ago suddenly went limp. His body slumped onto the couch before rolling onto the floor.

THUD!

The sound pierced through the ringing.

Ashley couldn’t blink. She stared at the motionless body with wide eyes. The color drained from her face as blood slowly spread across the floor.

"This damn fool. Always giving me a headache."

Marshal clicked his tongue and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood that had splattered onto his slacks.

He looked completely unfazed. Annoyed, if anything. Rising to his feet, he gazed down at the corpse. Then he spat on it.

"That’s what happens when people forget their place."

His eyes shifted toward Ashley.

The moment they met hers, she instinctively fell onto her backside.

There was no concern in his gaze. No affection. No instinct to comfort a frightened child.

Nothing.

"That’s what happens to people who get greedy after a small success." He held her blank stare. "If you don’t want to end up like him, learn how to be useful."

Ashley couldn’t even breathe.

Marshal clicked his tongue and looked away. "Scott."

"Sir."

"Take her with you." He adjusted his cuffs. "Teach her how things work around here."

His gaze never returned to Ashley. "She’s becoming an eyesore at home."

With that, Marshal walked toward the exit. He didn’t look back, not even once.

Ashley sat frozen on the floor. Her lips trembled. Her body shook uncontrollably. Her legs felt like jelly. She couldn’t even stand.

Deep down, she hoped he would return.

Just once.

If that was too much to ask, then maybe — maybe he would at least look back. Maybe he would show a little concern. Anything.

But Marshal didn’t.

The door slammed shut behind him.

And he was gone.

Ashley continued staring at the door.

"Papa—"

"Young Miss." Scott’s voice cut her off.

She looked up.

He stood a few feet away, one hand extended toward her. No emotion showed on his face.

"Let’s go."

Her trembling lips opened and closed. One small hand clutched her chest.

Scott watched her quietly.

"You know your father." His voice remained flat. "He wants you to learn the work."

Ashley lowered her gaze.

Behind Scott, she could still see the dead man through the gap between his legs.

Her stomach twisted.

"If you don’t learn," Scott continued, "you’ll end up like him."

Ashley swallowed.

Then Scott slowly raised his pistol and pointed it at her.

"If you still don’t understand..." His finger rested against the trigger. "I’ll put you down myself."

Tears instantly filled her eyes. Young Ashley broke down sobbing.

As she did, Scott continued.

"Don’t cry," he said coldly. "Get angry. Laugh too much. Feel anything and everything whenever you feel like crying, breaking down, or drowning in your own thoughts. The worse they are, the louder you should be."

He paused.

"It’s easier that way to stay sane." He nodded to himself. "Sometimes, you have to be a little insane to stay sane."

His gaze lingered on her. "You’ll understand that."

A moment later, Scott picked her up and carried her away.

[Present]

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