My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

Chapter 369: Yup, that’s me.

Ashley had only one person she considered a friend.

A friend she once hoped to meet again.

Sadly, she did.

And that friend ended up belonging to a world—an organization—with beliefs completely opposed to her own.

It was why she eventually decided that the past should remain in the past.

Not only because she was now part of Dominion.

But because if she stopped touching those memories, if she stopped thinking about them, they could remain exactly as they were.

Untarnished.

Just like the moment she heard her friend speak for the first time.

*****

"Come on! Hurry!"

Young Ashley waved at the boy following behind her before weaving through the crowd.

"Faster!" she shouted.

As street children, they had learned how to survive on the streets. And because they constantly moved from one place to another, they had seen many things.

Festivals were one of them.

Ashley and several other children had happily joined the festivities, watching street performances and wandering through the crowded pathways.

Of course, they could only look at the delicious food from afar. Being chased away by merchants was normal.

But tonight’s main attraction was about to begin.

Which was why Ashley was in such a hurry.

A large crowd had gathered around the lakeside.

Ashley squeezed through people one after another, desperately trying to secure a good spot. The other children had already gone ahead.

She had stayed behind for her friend. Fortunately, they had promised to save them a place.

"Ah!"

As Ashley pushed through the crowd, someone bumped into her. She stumbled backward and landed on her bottom. Pain stung her palm as it scraped against the concrete.

Looking up, she saw a couple staring down at her.

"Tch." The man clicked his tongue in annoyance. He dusted off the side of his pants as if something dirty had touched him. "When would they stop these kids from coming in here?"

Without offering any help, he simply walked away with his partner.

Ashley puffed out her cheeks. Then she dusted herself off and got back to her feet.

"We’re—" She stopped.

Turning around, she realized she had lost sight of the boy.

All she could see were strangers moving toward the lakeside. Her eyes darted around frantically.

Nothing.

"Did he get lost?" she murmured. "I told him to stay close."

Worry instantly replaced her excitement.

To Ashley, her friend was younger than her. Someone she needed to look after. Someone she needed to protect.

That boy was always getting into fights like a wounded puppy baring his teeth.

Naturally, she assumed he was somewhere behind her, waiting to be found.

"I hope he isn’t crying..."

Ignoring the flow of the crowd, Ashley pushed her way backward.

People bumped into her from every direction. She was small, and the crowd was huge.

But none of that mattered.

She had promised they would stay together.

She had promised to take care of him.

And he had promised to behave for her; he promised to never lose her.

As she struggled against the crowd, someone suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Ah—!" Ashley flinched and spun around.

Then she froze.

For a second, she didn’t recognize him. Then relief flooded her face.

"You’re here!"

The boy looked as he always did: thin, pale, dark circles beneath his eyes.

His oversized clothes hung loosely from his frame, stained with dirt and wear. Without a word, he tugged on her arm.

"What?" Ashley blinked.

Then she shook her head.

"Right. The others—"

She turned toward the crowd, only to find an endless sea of people blocking her view.

The boy tugged her arm again.

Ashley looked back at him.

He tugged again, then he started dragging her away.

Ashley stared at him. His free arm shielded them from the crowd while his other hand held hers tightly.

"Excuse us!" Ashley shouted on his behalf.

The boy couldn’t speak.

So she naturally became his voice.

"Sorry! Excuse us! Please move a little!"

If he could talk, he probably wouldn’t have sounded nearly as polite. But Ashley had long since decided that was how he would sound.

Eventually, they broke free from the crowd.

Ashley blinked.

The area the boy had led her to was small and secluded. Most people were gathered around the lakeside.

This spot was darker — hidden. There was even a large tree blocking part of the view. No one bothered coming here.

The boy tugged her hand again.

Ashley looked at him.

He pointed ahead.

She followed his finger and noticed a fence. Beyond it lay private property.

Then she grinned. "Oh!"

The two children climbed over the fence.

Moments later, they landed on an overgrown lawn.

"Ah!" Ashley almost fell to her knees when she landed. Turning toward him, she tilted her head.

"So?" She looked around curiously. "What did you bring me here for?"

The boy stared at her in disbelief.

She still didn’t understand. Then again... Ashley could be a little slow sometimes.

Just as he opened his mouth—

BOOM!

A loud explosion echoed across the sky.

Both children flinched. Instinctively, they looked up.

Color burst across the darkness.

Then another.

And another.

Fireworks.

"Wow..." Ashley’s mouth fell open. Her eyes reflected the brilliant colors above. "They’re so pretty."

The boy stared at the fireworks too.

They really were beautiful.

But after a moment, his attention drifted elsewhere.

To her.

The fireworks reflected in her eyes.

Every explosion stretched her smile a little wider. Every burst of color made her look more amazed. As though she were witnessing something magical.

Something beyond this world.

The fireworks were impressive.

But somehow... the sight of her watching them was even more beautiful.

The boy’s lips parted. For the first time, his voice escaped his throat.

"Boo."

He thought she wouldn’t hear him. Not with the cheering crowd on the other side of the lake. Not with the fireworks exploding overhead.

Yet her entire expression froze.

Slowly, she turned toward him. Her eyes widened.

The darkness concealed most of his face. Only the flashes of fireworks illuminated him for brief moments.

Ashley’s smile slowly stretched wider until her eyes squinted. For some reason, hearing his voice moved her more than the fireworks ever could.

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Mhm." Her smile brightened. "That’s me."

She then reached out and patted the top of his head. "Good boy."