Even if Ashley cried and put on that pitiful look, there was no way Lucian would agree. He had no plans to take her home; she should recover in the hospital.

But if she put it that way, how could he refuse — especially when Lucian, of all people, deeply understood her reasoning?

It was not about him or her, but rather the world and life Lucian had been painstakingly building for Primo and Ashley — a life they could truly live in. Now she wanted the same goal, not for herself but for Primo.

"Let’s... let’s just go home to Primo."

Silence settled between them as they stared at each other longer than they should have. After a beat, Lucian let out a shallow breath and walked toward her bed.

Lucian sat on the edge, draping an arm across her lap while planting his other hand beside her. He leaned forward slightly, looking her in the eye and studying every gleam in them.

"Is that really what you want?" he asked, his voice low.

Ashley pursed her lips and nodded. "That’s what I want."

"Lucian," she added with a deep breath, taking her time as she gathered her thoughts.

As she did, she studied his expression. She could not read him, but she knew he wasn’t angry — not even close.

She wanted to tell him she was already used to tending to her own wounds. That this was nothing, that she could endure it. But deep in her heart, she knew saying so would only make things worse.

"I... want to get rid of the Di Carpio mentality," she continued under her breath, holding his gaze. "And by that, I mean I want to protect what is actually worth protecting. I’ve done a lot of things for the Di Carpios — things that have reserved me a spot in hell." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

And no amount of prayers, repentance, or justification could ever erase what had already been done.

"And if I’m already going to hell, I might as well go there a legend," she added, reaching for his shirt and clutching it tighter. "Make it worth my while."

Another silence fell over them until Lucian sighed heavily.

No — that was the answer he wanted to give her. Because his plans were the same as hers for Primo. But the determination in her eyes told him one thing: whatever realization she had during the incident, there was no turning back.

Again, Lucian wondered: what had he done?

"Don’t you trust me?" Her question snapped him out of his thoughts, making his brows lift. "Am I being too greedy by asking you... that I no longer want this empty title?"

"It was never empty —"

"I know," she cut him off. "That’s why I’m telling all of this to you. Because... I am your wife, the madam of Dominion."

Ashley drew a deep breath, wincing a little at the dull ache in her back. "And as your wife, I want to go home."

"..." Lucian pressed his lips into a thin line, noting that she had been speaking with unusual seriousness — no trace of her usual playfulness or nonsense.

Was he really being greedy? He wondered as he nodded mildly.

Was he being too idealistic to believe he could create a place — a world, or even just a temporary illusion — where he could save her from this world of violence? Had he deluded himself into thinking Ashley could put down her weapon, wash the blood from her hands, and live the life she had always dreamed of?

Was marrying her a mistake?

He had never thought of it before, but now he could not help but wonder.

Was he protecting her... or destroying her? He could no longer tell.

"How I wish I could read you," she mumbled while studying the look on his face, watching his gaze refocus on her. "At the same time, I’m glad I can’t. Something tells me whatever is going on in your mind would upset me."

He let out a dry laugh. "It will."

"Tsk." She flicked his chest and clicked her tongue. "At least, deny it."

Well, she didn’t deny it the first time, did she? (ref. Ch 3)

"Alright," Lucian nodded. "Let’s go home."

Ashley smiled as her eyes lit up. "Thanks!"

His answer was merely a slight raise of his brows. Ashley blinked innocently, taking his mild reaction as something else.

In his mind, he was simply surprised that she had suddenly returned to her usual self. But in her mind...

Ashley reached for his tie and tugged it slightly, tilting her head as she leaned forward. Seizing his lips for a soft peck, she pursed them as she pulled away.

She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling, almost giggling as she said, "Thanks."

"..." His lips parted slightly as he licked his bottom lip, his eyes drifting to the bandage peeking out from her gown.

For one second, Ashley caught the flicker of disbelief in his eyes as he gazed at her shoulder.

"Did that turn you on?" she blurted out, making his brows lift. She rubbed her chin as she continued talking to herself. "Right, we can’t do that yet. My back still hurts, and it’s not like you’re that gentle."

"..."

"Is there a way we can do it without me dying?" she wondered aloud again, leaving him staring at her plainly. "But the problem isn’t the position — it’s the fact that you’re never satisfied with just one round."

Lucian blinked, and after a moment, he raised his hand and gently covered her lips.

"Stop talking," he said coolly.

Her brows rose. She pulled his hand down and tilted her head to the side. "But I want it."

"Hmm?"

"Hehe." She grinned and leaned forward again. "Lucian, you’d better wish I won’t recover fast. You’ll be in trouble."

"???"

Before Lucian could ask what she meant, a knock came from the door. Both he and Ashley turned toward it, watching it slide open.

As soon as the doctor and Gustav stepped inside, they — along with the people behind them — paused. Their eyes landed on the bed where Ashley sat, Lucian’s hand draped across her lap, the couple seated far too close to each other.

"Ahem," the doctor cleared his throat, thinking it was probably the wrong time.

But Gustav remained unfazed, already used to Ashley’s shameless attempts to seduce Lucian. Even in this situation, that woman was still trying to seduce his poor boss.

"Master, we couldn’t find her phone, but we got her laptop," he announced.

"Sweet!" Ashley grinned from ear to ear before turning to Lucian.

Seeing her reaction, Lucian tilted his head. "Why do you need it?"

"Because!" she intoned as she leaned forward and planted a kiss on the tip of his nose, making Gustav’s face twitch. "No one messes with Dominion and leaves unscathed!"