My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 52: Sign

The next day rolled in like any other.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Primo’s temperature had considerably gone down. Unlike the day before, he was eating more without a problem and even taking his medicine... as long as Ashley was the one giving it to him.

As for the rest? They could only watch this miracle unfold or whisper about it.

"This is good," the doctor smiled in satisfaction, checking Primo’s temperature. "If this continues, the young master will be much better tomorrow. Though if his fever spikes again, that’s also very normal. Viral infections are usually like that."

Hearing that, Ashley, who was seated right beside the bed with her arms resting on the edge, smiled in satisfaction.

"Up top!" she raised a hand, and Primo gave her a light high five.

The doctor chuckled at the sight.

For all the years I’ve worked for Dominion as the in-house doctor, this is the only time we didn’t have that many problems with the young master, he thought.

Nolan, on the other hand, smiled in quiet satisfaction. Even without the thermometer or anything else, just looking at Primo told him everything he needed to know. Besides, Primo was eating everything served to him and even taking his medicine on time.

Surely, Ashley was giving him plenty of attention, especially since she had stayed here overnight.

"Still, Young Master, you need to get plenty of rest," the doctor continued. "Even if you’re feeling a lot better today, you must rest until you’ve fully recovered."

Primo looked up at him and nodded.

"Good," the doctor’s smile softened. "Anyway, I’ll be back to check on you later."

Then, he shifted his attention to Ashley. Unlike the previous day, the doctor bowed even deeper before excusing himself.

As for Nolan, he smiled at Ashley and said, "I’ll walk the doctor out."

"Mhm." Ashley didn’t pay them much attention as she turned to Primo. "Primo, you heard that? Sleep plenty today or just rest, okay? Or do you want anything? I’ll get it for you."

Those were the words Nolan and the doctor heard as they walked out and closed the door behind them.

As soon as they were outside the room, the doctor and Nolan looked at each other. A second later, a light chuckle escaped them.

"Nolan, if this continues, then we won’t have to worry about the young master," said the doctor. "I didn’t think Madam would stay by his side overnight. But I believe he’s getting better because of her."

Not just the medicine, but the care Ashley was giving Primo.

Primo had often been sick growing up, which should have been manageable with a doctor always within reach. However, even a simple fever would last longer because of Primo’s attitude toward such matters.

Nolan’s subtle smile remained as he nodded. He let out a shallow breath, looking at the door.

"You are right," he whispered. "I was a little worried Madam wouldn’t be happy nursing the young master back to health, but..."

He trailed off, thinking of Primo’s change in attitude when it came to Ashley. Before her, the young master was more like a child than an old soul trapped in a boy’s body.

Perhaps... he craves a mother’s love too, he thought.

Conflict flickered across Nolan’s eyes as he considered it. All of Primo’s life, he had never known his mother. As a matter of fact, no one in Dominion knew anything about her, and the subject was a silent taboo.

Hence, no one talked about it.

All the people in Dominion who had been there for years only knew this: out of the blue, Lucian returned after being away for almost a year, with an infant. That was it.

"Nolan." Nolan’s thoughts halted at the doctor’s voice. "Do you think Madam has truly changed and now cares for the young master?"

Slowly, Nolan looked back at him.

Both of them held each other’s gaze, forced to face the question they had been avoiding for weeks now.

Nolan opened his mouth, only to close it again. After a moment, he finally found his voice and let out a faint sigh.

"I hope," was all he could say.

In the world they lived in, a change in a person’s heart was almost impossible—especially one that was so quick and sudden.

Before all of this, Ashley had attempted to escape after leaking important information to Dominion’s enemies. Then, out of nowhere, the very next day, she had changed. Their initial assumption was that this was a new tactic she had come up with.

A dangerous game she had started, where the stakes were higher, and the pain could be far more devastating than simply leaking information. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Before this, Ashley’s intentions were clear: she didn’t want to be here, she didn’t want Lucian, she didn’t care about Primo, and the entire Dominion could burn to the ground and she wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over it.

In other words, she was easier to anticipate, and no one would be disappointed if she hurt Dominion with her actions or showed no care for Primo—because that was already expected of her.

But now, not only was she slowly playing along with Lucian, but Primo had also begun holding on to her.

If this were all just a game, then Nolan might truly despise her.

"Me too, Nolan," the doctor offered him a subtle smile and a nod. "I also hope this isn’t part of some plan."

Otherwise, Ashley would have proven herself to be the worst of the worst—to drag and hurt an innocent child who had no choice but to be born as a De Luca.

*****

Meanwhile, Ashley idled with Primo. Since the boy was feeling much better than yesterday, he wasn’t as sleepy or weak. Even so, he stayed on the bed while watching a show with her.

"Primo, are you sure you don’t want anything today?" she asked, looking at him curiously.

She was seated on the chair beside the bed, lazily slumped over the edge, while cupping her cheek. Primo looked back at her, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Don’t go, was what he wanted to say.

Right now, that was all he needed. But then again, now that he was more clear-headed, he also understood if she wanted to leave. He didn’t want her to stay if Lucian was secretly hurting her.

I don’t want her to go, he thought. But...

Primo couldn’t be selfish.

He studied the curious look on her face, deciding right then and there to help her escape. Back then, he didn’t care and simply thought she was foolish for trying to escape. However, now that he understood the "reason," he wanted to help her.

Without thinking much, Primo began signing with his hands. He only realized a moment later that she might not understand.

Much to his surprise, she answered.

"Where would I get that?" she asked, tilting her head.

Primo blinked several times. [You can understand sign language?]

"Heh." She smirked smugly. "Did I impress you?"

Definitely.

But Primo stopped himself from dwelling on it and continued communicating with her through his fingers. Meanwhile, Ashley’s brows lifted before slowly drawing together.

"Outside...?" she trailed off, tilting her head. "Do you really want it that badly?"

He nodded, giving her the perfect excuse to go out. With this, he was certain she could find a way to escape once she stepped outside this cage.

[Can you get it? I’ll let you play the game with me if you do.]

Ashley studied the determination in the boy’s eyes, taking it as his unbending desire for the game he wanted. Then, her lips stretched into a wide grin until her eyes squinted.

"Alright—you said it! I’ll get it for you!"

As she beamed with high spirits, Primo’s eyes softened, a quiet prayer forming in his heart.

If you run away... please don’t get caught this time.

Little did he know, Ashley had other plans in mind—ones that involved the exact opposite of what he was praying for.