The life of the underworld was something Ashley had dreamed of escaping all her life. Born as a bastard from an affair between an underworld kingpin and a prostitute, Ashley was meant to die even before she was born. The only reason she survived was that her father thought she was a boy.

From a young age, she understood that if she wanted to survive in this world of violence—on top of her father’s wife and daughter’s schemes—she had to be useful.

So, she made herself a promise: one day, she would escape this world.

Ashley almost succeeded… until her father found her again and thrust her into a marriage of convenience with his rival, Dominion, in his beloved daughter’s place.

Everyone in the underworld knew Dominion.

They were cruel, organized, and simply spawns of evil. And the man who stood above that power, Luciano, was said to be downright diabolical. Just their name alone could make anyone tremble.

And this organization was where Ashley now had to survive.

To make matters worse, the marriage also came with a child — Luciano’s mute heir.

Forced to become the wife of one of the most violent and powerful underworld organizations, and the mother of its future leader, Ashley made a vow.

“No matter what, I’ll escape this place!”

But she would soon realize it wouldn’t be as simple as that. Not when the feared members of Dominion clung to her feet, begging,

“Madam, don’t go!”

And when the mute stepson finally spoke, “Mommy, if you’re leaving, please take me with you.”

Finally, her diabolical, obsessive, and utterly territorial husband said,

“I’ve packed our things. Where should we go?”

***
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"Huh? That's strange." Ashley blinked as she picked up Lucian's blazer, which he appeared to have left behind in the bedroom.


Lucian was meticulous about these things — organized, like Primo. He was not the type to leave his clothes lying around. If anything, Ashley had been the one learning that habit from him.


Not thinking much of it, she picked it up and headed toward the laundry room. It was Lucian's turn to put Primo to sleep, after all.


But just as she reached the small laundry room on the first floor, she stopped. Her brows drew together as she noticed something poking out of one of the pockets. She reached in and pulled out a handkerchief.


The lines on her face deepened as she stared at the stain. "Is this… blood?"


Meanwhile, in Primo's room, Lucian sat in the chair beside the bed. The boy's eyes were already closed, his breathing slow and even. Even so, Lucian remained, keeping quiet company with the silence.


Chapter 267 - It's All In Your Head