My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 51: Are You Going To Leave Me Too?

The trick Ashley taught Primo was simple: hold your breath while swallowing, then take a candy right after. As if she had already prepared for this, Ashley took out a candy straight from her pocket and cheered Primo on as he drank his medicine.

"Go, Primo~!"

"You can do it, Mo~!"

"Swallow now, Momo~!"

While her cheers echoed, everyone else remained frozen in place.

Except for Lucian, who had taken a seat beside the bed—with Nolan and the doctor standing nearby—everyone else stayed rooted where they were.

Their eyes were wide, mouths slightly open, all focused on Primo, who had chugged the medicine while pinching his nose.

Once he swallowed, everyone gasped as his throat bobbed.

Then Ashley quickly said,

"Open your mouth!"

Primo obeyed, and she popped a candy inside. As soon as he closed his mouth, he finally breathed out. His brows lifted in surprise when all he could taste was sweetness instead of the bitterness of the medicine.

"See?" Ashley grinned. "It works, doesn’t it?"

He nodded.

"Good job," she said, gently ruffling his hair before flashing a bright smile at Lucian.

Lucian’s stiff shoulders relaxed, a quiet breath escaping him as he watched Ashley turn her attention back to the sick child. Meanwhile, everyone else remained stunned into silence.

No one could believe what they had just witnessed.

Even Nolan, who had served Dominion the longest, couldn’t help but stare in shock. For as long as he could remember, making Primo take his medicine had always been the hardest task. Lucian wouldn’t have gone as far as hiring an entire child care team if it weren’t.

Back then, Nolan thought it was simply because Primo was young that forcing medicine on him was difficult. But as the young master grew older, the problem didn’t fade. If anything, it only worsened.

Even Lucian had to negotiate with his son just to make him drink medicine.

And yet, the little master had just chugged it like that?

No negotiations. No tantrums. Just cheerful encouragement?

How was that even possible?

When Nolan finally blinked and processed everything, he turned to Lucian. The master was simply watching Ashley and Primo with this rare softness in his eyes, saying nothing.

"I’ll take my leave first, Master," Nolan cleared his throat, though a trace of shock lingered in his voice. He shot the doctor a look, then glanced at everyone else. "You’re all dismissed."

His command snapped everyone out of their daze, making them flinch slightly. Then, as ordered, they quietly filed out of the room.

Soon, only the family of three remained, along with Nolan and the doctor.

"Master, if you need anything, there are maids—"

"Nolan, don’t worry!" Ashley chirped as she tucked Primo into bed. "I’ll look after Primo for the night."

Nolan hesitated, glancing at her, only to notice Primo’s small hand clutching her sleeve. He pressed his lips together before looking at Lucian.

"She’ll take care of him," Lucian said, waving dismissively.

"Yes, Master." Nolan lowered his head, but before he and the doctor could leave, Ashley spoke again.

"His medicine... how many hours until the next dose?"

The doctor turned to her and opened his mouth, only to falter for a second. He cleared his throat, as if too much air had suddenly caught in it.

"Since the young master’s fever was quite high, he’ll need another dose in four hours..." he explained, keeping his instructions simple.

As he spoke, Ashley’s eyes remained fixed on him, listening intently. Even the doctor found himself slightly distracted by her attentiveness. Nolan and Lucian could only watch her as well.

"Okay. Next dose in four hours, and wipe him down with lukewarm water..." she repeated, counting on her fingers. "Got it!"

For a moment, Nolan and the doctor stared at her before bowing slightly and taking their leave.

Ashley watched them go before turning her attention back to Lucian. She offered him a brief smile before shifting her focus to Primo.

"Primo, did you hear the doctor?" she asked as she slipped beside him. Propping her head on her hand, she lay next to him. "You need to take your medicine in four hours. And you need plenty of rest and lots of water so you don’t get dehydrated." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Primo simply stared at her, his hand gripping the blanket, his gaze fixed on her face.

"Sleep for now, okay?" she hummed. "Don’t worry. I’ll be here to give you your medicine."

His eyes searched hers for any hint of deceit, but found none. Then again, she was already lying beside him so naturally.

"Should I move to the couch? Are you uncomfortable? I can go over there if you want," she offered, but he shook his head.

Primo weakly reached and pinched her sleeve, holding onto it to make his intention clear. He didn’t want her to leave. Having her beside him was alright.

She smiled. "Alright then. It’s a slumber party for both of us."

Her gaze softened as she watched him. The fierceness in his expression had faded, leaving only the flush of his fever. Slowly, he began to relax while she gently patted the blanket.

Meanwhile, Lucian remained where he was, silently observing everything.

He watched her speak to Primo, lie beside him so naturally, and lull him to sleep. It was a beautiful sight—too beautiful—that he wished he could preserve it forever.

It felt like a dream... and he feared that if he looked away, he might wake up from it.

Everything felt surreal.

Warmth filled his chest as he watched them, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

And so, he didn’t look away. He didn’t dare to.

*****

A few hours later, Primo stirred and slowly opened his eyes. The room was dimly lit, just enough to see without hurting his eyes. His thoughts were hazy, but one thing became clear.

Ashley.

He turned his head in panic, and there she was.

Ashley was still beside him, asleep.

Seeing her there made his body relax, and he let out a faint sigh. But at the small movement, her brows knit together before her eyes slowly opened.

"Primo?" she murmured sleepily, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. "Oh... it’s almost time for your meds."

They were just several minutes early.

"Just five minutes," she mumbled, settling back down beside him. She smiled faintly, her eyes half-lidded. "Five minutes..."

Primo kept his gaze on her. He felt a little better now, though his body still burned faintly with heat.

As he watched her drift back to sleep, the memory of Ashley and Isabella in the pavilion surfaced in his mind.

Even from that distance, Primo had seen Isabella’s lips moving. He had tried to read them—and if he was right, Isabella had been telling Ashley to leave because Lucian was hurting her.

That was why he had been upset. Why he refused the medicine.

It was his quiet rebellion.

Still... it made him wonder. Because he hadn’t stayed long enough to hear Ashley’s answer.

Are you... going to leave me too?