My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

As everyone settled into their new homes, the family of three sat down at the small dining table.

"Primo, how do you like this place?"

Primo formed a small smile and signed, [Not bad.]

Their setup was almost the same as before. The only difference was that everything felt smaller — even this table — compared to what they had back home. But somehow, that made them feel closer.

"Right?" Ashley laughed. "Let’s eat. We still have a week to familiarize ourselves with everything here."

As she spoke, she filled Primo’s plate with the dishes the chefs had prepared earlier. Primo simply watched her, then glanced at his father, who was also watching her.

"Dig in!" she chirped, turning to Lucian and about to serve him as well. But before she could, he reached out and filled her plate first.

"Wait —" she stopped as Lucian continued, and then placed it in front of her.

"Eat," he said, as he served himself.

Ashley pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling, but failed. She only turned to Primo, winking at him as they started eating with her, focusing on him, and Lucian focusing on her.

Not much was said as they enjoyed dinner, but the atmosphere felt warmer.

Perhaps this, too, was a first for them.

A simple dinner with just the three of them. No maids or butlers standing by, no one serving them. And even though they had to serve themselves, it didn’t feel inconvenient at all.

*****

Days later...

Primo had a week left before school started.

Initially, he was supposed to move into the boarding school early to adjust. But with Ashley’s meddling, he found himself adjusting in their little home instead. And surprisingly, he didn’t mind at all. Neither did Ashley.

Ashley was already used to it, having lived in a smaller apartment before she was married off.

Just like them, everyone in the neighborhood had settled in, adjusting to the new location, the new setup, and their new identities.

Before they knew it, Primo’s first day of school arrived.

Standing outside the house with an apron still hanging around her neck, Ashley glanced between Primo and Lucian. The two stood beside a car that had been modified to look old.

"You guys are so cute," she chuckled, pulling her phone from her apron pocket and snapping a photo. "Smile~!"

Neither of them did, but that didn’t stop her from taking several shots. When she finished, she looked up at them, amused.

"Look at you two," she mused, feeling like a loving wife seeing off her husband and son. "Primo, don’t forget the snacks I packed for you, okay? You can share them with your classmates if you want."

Primo tried to smile and nearly failed, thinking,

But I don’t want to share the snacks you made with anyone else.

Ashley gently smoothed his hair, careful not to mess it up. Just as she stepped back, she noticed the activity on the street.

People were already moving about as if heading to work. Nolan, dressed casually, swept the street like an old man minding his routine. Some children were also on their way to school.

From the outside, it truly looked like a normal neighborhood. No one would even think this was a ghost town not long ago. After all, those with families in Dominion had been given space here, along with new identities. Some posed as families, while others—like Red and his crew—were assigned as roommates.

Ashley smiled in satisfaction before turning back to Primo.

"Primo," she said, bending slightly with her hands on her knees, "be nice and make lots of friends at school, okay?"

He nodded, which made Nolan smile faintly as he eavesdropped while sweeping an already clean street.

"But," Ashley added, and suddenly, those passing by slowed down.

"If someone bullies you, make sure to beat them to a pulp. Don’t let anyone push you around, okay? If they can’t keep their hands to themselves, teach them how. Better yet, tell me—I’ll teach them a lesson."

The entire street seemed to freeze. People turned to her in disbelief. Even Nolan nearly dropped his broom, his expression blank.

Primo, however, nodded in understanding. While Lucian seemed satisfied with that sound advice.

"It’s almost time," Lucian said calmly, stepping in. "Let’s go."

"Okay, bye-bye!" Ashley waved enthusiastically. "Take care, Primo! Good luck!"

Primo and Lucian walked toward the car, glancing back at her as if committing the moment to memory. Lucian helped Primo into the passenger seat before taking the driver’s seat himself.

He honked lightly once before driving off, but Ashley remained where she was, watching until the car disappeared from sight.

"Primo, take care! And Lucian, don’t get in trouble!" she called out, earning a few judgmental glances from nearby residents.

The big boss never gets in trouble; she does!

Still, Ashley let out a deep breath, smiling brightly.

"I hope things are better this time," she whispered, hopeful. "Of course they will be."

"Hahaha." Nolan approached her, laughing lightly. "Good morning, Madam."

"Good morning, Nolan!" she replied. "Why are you sweeping the street so early?"

He chuckled. "It’s in the memo. It reminds me of my hometown. We used to have slow mornings like this."

Nolan continued talking, and the longer he went on, the higher Ashley’s brows rose.

I didn’t know Nolan could be this talkative. I don’t remember adding that to his memo.

"Oh, I ended up rambling," Nolan said sheepishly. "Apologies, Madam."

"Nolan, I didn’t expect you to get into character this seriously," she nodded. "You remind me of a neighbor I once had."

That neighbor would never stop once he started telling stories. Little did she know, Nolan was exactly the same. He just never had the time before.

This new setup felt like home. It felt like... less Dominion... less violence, less danger.

"By the way, Madam," Nolan added curiously, "why are you wearing an apron? Didn’t the chefs prepare breakfast?"

Ashley smiled. "The good wives I’ve seen in anime always wear aprons when sending their husbands and children off. I thought it would be a nice touch."

"...Ah." Nolan nodded awkwardly. "Anime?"

At the same time, both of them turned toward the house across the street, where Red stepped out wearing oversized clothes and messy hair. Nothing like his usual polished look with his suit and tie, and brushed hair.

Red paused the moment he saw Nolan... and Ashley, who looked every bit like a cheerful housewife. He deadpanned, muttering,

"It’s too early for this."

With a bright smile, she waved at him.

"Hello, my bum neighbor," she greeted. "How was your job interview yesterday?"