My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 48: It’s Okay, Primo.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Betty and Primo stood. Their eyes were fixed on the pavilion where Ashley and her sister, Isabella, sat. The sisters were seated very close to each other, their hands tangled over the table.

From afar, they truly appeared to have a good relationship.

"So, that’s her sister," Betty blurted under her breath. "She’s pretty... and a little different."

It wasn’t Isabella’s first time in Dominion’s territory, but it was Betty’s first time finally catching a glimpse of her. She had never seen Isabella before, as she was always buried in chores.

And since Ashley and Isabella were sisters, one couldn’t help but compare them physically.

Like how the sisters’ hair and eye colors differed—Isabella had a beautiful pair of olive eyes, while Ashley’s were russet. Isabella was slightly blonde, whereas Ashley had naturally dark auburn hair.

Betty could still remember when the madam arrived in Dominion.

Ashley had come in a wedding dress, but her demeanor hadn’t suited it at all. From then on, Ashley seemed to be in a different season of herself—until recently, when she started dressing up again. But unlike Isabella, who was dressed in luxury from head to toe, Ashley’s style was much more youthful to the eye.

Or perhaps it was just because Ashley always wore that big, mischievous smile whenever she opened her mouth.

Isabella, on the other hand, didn’t seem like someone who would associate herself with a maid like Betty.

"Well," Betty shrugged, not wanting to dwell on it, "I guess they’re still sisters and get along."

She then turned to Primo, who was simply staring at the pavilion expressionlessly. Betty rested her hands on her knees, smiling.

"Young Master, should we go back to the plantation? The Madam seems alright," she said, thinking they were only here because Primo had felt restless. So, she had asked if he wanted to check on Ashley.

Primo’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and his breathing seemed heavier than usual. Betty’s brows rose, assuming the boy’s cheeks were pink from the heat.

"Young Master, are you alright?" Betty asked, reaching for his forehead, only for his small hand to slap hers away.

Primo backed away slightly and turned without a word, walking off just like that.

"Young Master..." Betty straightened, watching the boy’s small retreating figure. She frowned a little, but his behavior did not surprise her.

The young master was a moody child, after all. He didn’t like being touched much or engaging with others. But lately, since Primo had been more active than ever, Betty had almost forgotten about his ever-changing moods.

"I wonder why he seems upset?" she hummed, tilting her head to the side.

She glanced back at the pavilion once more, confused, but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, Betty shook her head and hurried after Primo, since Ashley had told her to look after him until her guest left.

*****

In the pavilion, Ashley’s brows rose ever so slightly as she stared at the pair of determined eyes before her.

"Leave this place, Ash. I’ll make it happen."

Ashley blinked. "How?" she asked, even though she already knew how Isabella planned to "help" her.

"Dad and Lucian will meet again tomorrow," Isabella said. "And even with this marriage, the tension between the Di Carpios and Dominion is still there. So, everyone’s attention will be focused on their meeting."

She nodded. "It’s the perfect chance to escape. June will meet you and take you away. I’ve already made preparations, so it won’t be like before when he helped you. This time, he’s ready to take you away from all of this."

"June is a good man," she added with a deep sigh. "You might not know this, but he’s been blaming himself for failing to help you the first time. I know you used to have feelings for him, but even after rejecting you, he still sees you as a good friend. He asked me to help you as well, though he didn’t need to. I already wanted to help my sister."

Isabella went on and on, pouring out her sisterly concern. She mentioned June repeatedly, knowing it would encourage Ashley.

As for Ashley, she listened quietly, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

June... hah. I don’t even like him anymore. And yet, back then, I still believed all of this because I thought he meant well.

This had happened a week earlier. And yet, everything she said was exactly the same.

The only difference in this timeline is that I met Isabella earlier. Back then, we talked about this in my room, when I had locked myself inside.

But everything else?

Exactly the same. Just a week earlier.

She smiled to herself. Screw it. I’m already prepared to wager my life on this.

"But Isabella, wouldn’t Dad get in trouble?" Ashley asked, feigning worry. "If I leave while he’s meeting Lucian, it won’t be good for the Di Carpios, right?"

"Don’t worry about that," Isabella smiled. "Dominion won’t touch the Di Carpios over something like this. Besides, once you’re married, you’re no longer a Di Carpio—you’re a De Luca. They can’t fully blame our family for it."

She gave her a reassuring nod. "And don’t worry about Dad. He won’t get angry. I’ll handle him."

For a moment, silence settled between them as they stared at each other. Then, the corners of Ashley’s lips curled into a small smile.

"Sure," she nodded, squeezing Isabella’s hand. "Isabella, thank you. Really. Thank you. Because of you... I’ll finally get some freedom."

Isabella smiled in satisfaction, clearly pleased. "Don’t thank me yet," she quipped. "Thank me once you’re out of here, okay?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Ashley pursed her lips before nodding repeatedly.

*****

Isabella didn’t linger long and told Ashley not to send her off. Ashley didn’t insist, not wanting to bother.

After that, Ashley returned to the garden to check on things. The workers were still busy, moving nonstop. So, she headed to the plantation, where she had said she would meet Primo.

As soon as she arrived, she spotted the little boy in a corner, quietly working on a pot. She smiled and quickened her steps.

"Heya~!" she chirped, only for her smile to instantly fade when Primo looked up at her.

Her expression tightened as she studied his face. Without hesitation, she crouched down and pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Primo," she whispered, meeting his eyes. "You’re... hot. Are you sick?"

Primo, who had been fighting it the entire time, could barely meet her gaze. His breathing grew heavier, his dizziness worsening. Just as he shook his head, Ashley reached out and caught him before he could fall.

"Hey!" she shouted, pulling him close.

Primo forced his eyes open and looked up at her, thinking she was angry at him. But then he realized she wasn’t shouting at him.

"I need help here — MAKE IT FAST!" she roared. But when she looked back down at him, her voice softened. "It’s okay, Primo. It’s okay."

He stared at the sincerity in her eyes, listening to the softness in her voice, before nodding weakly. He intuitively clutched her sleeve, hearing her heart racing against his ear, her hands holding him steady.

Feeling safe, Primo finally let himself rest against her. But not without thinking,

Why is her heart beating so fast?