My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 58: What Have You Done?

Lucian rarely raised his voice at anyone, but Ashley could draw that out of him. And this time, it was different. He gripped her wrist and pressed her shoulder down, his mind running wild. His heart beat loud and fast—so hard it hurt.

He stared down at her, his vision starting to turn red.

When she escaped for the first time, June had also been the one who helped her. Lucian let that man off because he thought killing him would only damage this marriage further. But six months later, she was still going back to him.

And this time, she went so far as to deceive him, making him believe she had changed. That she was finally letting him into her life. That he could hope.

Tonight, she shattered all of that mercilessly.

"Him..." he breathed out through his clenched teeth, looking deep into her eyes, on the brink of being consumed by madness. "Ashley, just what did he do... for you to keep seeking him?"

He tightened his grip on her shoulder, hearing a short whimper from her. "I’m not letting him off this time," he said through gritted teeth. "That man... that lover you keep running back to—he’ll lose his head tonight. And I’ll make sure you see it for yourself."

Ashley’s breath hitched.

It was a small reaction, but even that felt like a stab to his heart.

Was she really that afraid to watch that man die?

He hissed at the thought. Bitterness filled his chest as he stared at the conflicted look on her face. But the longer he looked, the more it felt like he might break.

"Perhaps Marshal is right," he muttered under his breath. "Nothing gets through to you except pain."

Ashley’s pupils dilated, his words echoing in her ears. Never in her previous life had Lucian mentioned Marshal or the Di Carpios to her. She hadn’t even realized it until now—until those words slipped from his lips.

"Lu—"

"Enough," he cut her off sharply. "No more."

With that, Lucian pulled away from her and sat on the edge of the bed. He rested his arms on his legs, his hands trembling with anger. But he knew exactly where to direct it—where to pour everything.

June.

"That plantation... don’t even think about it," he warned. "If you want to do business, do it from here. You’re not stepping out of this place."

After saying that, he pushed himself off the bed and began to walk away. Staying would only make things worse; he might do something he would regret.

But just as he reached the door, Ashley’s shaky voice stopped him.

"What... kind... of relationship do you even want from me?"

Her eyes stung, even though she had expected this from him. Ashley pushed herself up, staring at his back, taking a few steady breaths.

"Is this what you really want?" she asked. "Why... do you never hear me out?"

Because if he did, he knew he would believe her—even when he knew she was lying. Just like how he believed she was trying to change. That she was letting him into her heart. That she wanted to stay with him.

But he didn’t say any of that.

"I didn’t try to leave," she sniffled, wiping the tears streaming down her face. "You... stupid jerk. What’s the point of trying when you’re like this?"

Lucian felt his throat tighten as her voice broke. But before he could turn back, he stopped himself. He swallowed the tension and recomposed himself, then walked away without another word.

Even when the door shut, Ashley’s tears didn’t stop.

She wasn’t trying to cry, but she couldn’t help it.

"Damn it," she muttered through her sniffles. "Why won’t it stop?"

She had expected this. So why wouldn’t the tears stop? Why were they even falling?

It wasn’t like he hurt her.

Sure, he was rougher than usual. Sure, he was angrier than she expected. But compared to the pain and punishment she had endured in the Di Carpios, this was nothing.

Then it hit her.

Just like how she never listened to him in the past, he never truly communicated with her. It was like they simply expected the worst from each other every damn time.

And realizing just how twisted their dynamic was... was suffocating.

"Damn..." she whimpered, collapsing onto her back, her arm covering her eyes.

*****

Meanwhile, the moment Lucian stepped out of the room, a deep exhale escaped him. His head throbbed painfully, but he quickly forced himself to regain composure.

He glanced at the men stationed outside.

"Don’t let her out," he ordered coldly. "Even if she starts shouting, let her be—even if her throat starts bleeding."

The guards nodded, satisfied. This was their boss. And they were glad he wasn’t going soft on her this time.

"Yes, sir."

With that, Lucian continued walking.

He had sent men not only to drag Ashley back tonight, but also June, who had been openly and boldly challenging him, as if consequences didn’t exist.

Since Lucian had finally accepted that no matter what he did, she would never choose him... he began to believe that hatred was the only thing she would ever feel for him.

So tonight, he would become the person she hated the most.

But as he walked back toward his office, his steps slowed when he spotted Nolan rushing toward him.

Lucian frowned and stopped as the head butler approached.

"Master!" Nolan panted, as if he had run a mile. His face was pale as he looked at Lucian—and at the direction he had come from. "The madam—"

"She’s alright," Lucian replied coldly, studying Nolan’s expression and assuming it was fear of falling for her tricks again. "Don’t worry. I don’t blame you. Go back to your quarters."

With that, Lucian tapped his shoulder and walked past him.

Nolan’s breath hitched, his eyes widening as he clutched the paper bag from the reseller.

"Master—"

"Enough, Nolan," Lucian cut him off again without turning back. "Do not make me repeat myself—"

"But Master, how can I do that when I know you’re making a huge mistake?!"

A mistake?

Lucian’s brows twitched as he turned back, surprised to see Nolan raise his voice—something the head butler had never done before.

"What are you saying?"

"Master, the madam wasn’t trying to escape..." Nolan trailed off as he noticed Gustav approaching from the side.

Lucian glanced at Gustav, who lowered his head in greeting.

"Master, I received a report from the team I sent to retrieve him," Gustav said, confusion evident on his face. "They found him somewhere else, though, and not at the location where she and Nolan were."

A deep crease formed between Lucian’s brows.

"That’s because you got it all wrong!" Nolan raised his voice again, lifting the paper bag in his hand.

His mouth trembled as he looked at Lucian, then briefly at Gustav. "She’s not trying to leave!"

"Master..." he said, his voice shaking as he met Lucian’s gaze. "What... have you done?"