Chapter 541: Not To Be The Biggest Idiot

Days later...

Ashley crouched to Primo’s eye level.

"Have fun at school, okay?" She held his little hand while her other hand stroked his hair.

Primo smiled and nodded.

"See you later?" she hummed. "Mommy’s gonna pick you up today. Once the school bell rings, I’ll be right here."

His smile broadened as he watched Ashley straighten.

With that, Primo jogged toward the school gates while Ashley watched him. She waved and smiled when he glanced back at her.

"Gosh. He’s so adorable," she mumbled to herself, her eyes softening.

Despite everything brewing behind the scenes, Primo’s life had remained normal.

Or at least, that was what she wanted to believe.

She straightened, her smile fading slightly.

"He’s gonna be okay," she whispered to herself. "We managed to get through everything without affecting our boy. We’ll be okay."

Ashley drew a deep breath and forced herself to smile.

Perhaps the biggest consolation after everything that had happened was knowing she could go home and see that her son was doing well. Despite all the deaths and violence she and Lucian had gotten themselves into, they could still return to a peaceful home where their child was safe.

With that, Ashley turned on her heel and headed toward where her bike was parked.

As she walked away, she pulled out her phone and saw a missed call from Emma—Primo’s biological mother.

"Right," she whispered to herself. "I haven’t checked in on her."

It had been a crazy month, and even though Emma could now communicate with Primo directly, she still liked to keep in touch with Ashley. Their relationship wasn’t what Ashley would call close, but they were doing their best for Primo’s sake.

Just as Ashley was about to call her back, a light honk came from her side.

Turning her head, she spotted Raka’s van.

Raka stepped out, his eyes immediately landing on her. Unlike usual, he only briefly saw his son, Sammy, off before turning his attention back to Ashley.

The two held each other’s gaze for a moment before he finally approached her.

*

*

*

After everything that happened during Marshal’s downfall, Lucian had sent Raka home with bodyguards to make sure he and his son remained safe.

Raka being taken hostage was something Lucian and Ashley couldn’t afford to dismiss. They believed he had been abducted and dragged into their mess because of his connection to Lucian.

Aside from the fact that they both considered Raka a friend, he was also the doctor in charge of Lucian’s treatment.

Although, technically, Lucian’s treatment was nearing its end now that his latest lab results had come back clear.

Now seated across from each other in a nearby café, Ashley quietly studied him.

"How have you been?" she asked. "It’s been a crazy month, so I didn’t get the chance to check in on you."

She knew Lucian had kept in touch with him, though.

"Fine." Raka reached for his tea and took a sip. His face immediately scrunched up. "This tastes horrible."

He glared at the cup as if it had personally offended him.

He had grown accustomed to drinking the tea Ashley had given him at home.

She chuckled. "Do you still have some left? I can send you another batch if you want."

"It’s fine. I still have a ton of it." He waved her off. "Anyway, I haven’t seen either of you in a while, and your husband hasn’t come to my office since his last lab work."

"He’s busy," was all Ashley could tell him. "But he always thinks of you."

"Why would he think of me? Am I his mistress?" Raka clicked his tongue.

Ashley could only let out a light chuckle before silence settled between them.

She used to dislike the guy, but after Lucian took a liking to him, she had been forced to reconsider her initial impression.

Sure, it was difficult to see the good in Raka with the way he presented himself. But once she saw past his abrasive exterior, it became equally difficult to dislike him.

"Hey." Ashley rested her arms against the edge of the table. "About what happened... I’m sorry."

Raka raised his brows. "Why would you apologize?"

She didn’t answer. She simply smiled.

Raka had seemingly believed Lucian’s sorry excuse that they had gone there solely to save him. No reasonable person would believe that story, but apparently, Raka did.

It was ridiculous, considering the man was supposed to be smart.

Still, Ashley had never corrected him or offered an explanation.

"I just felt like I should." She shrugged. "Anyway, I have other things to do today. It was nice seeing you again—and seeing that you’re doing well."

With a smile, Ashley pushed herself to her feet.

She offered him one last nod before turning to leave.

She had only taken a few steps when Raka scratched the back of his head.

"Do you honestly think I believe you guys went there just to save me?"

Ashley stopped dead in her tracks.

Slowly, she looked back at him.

Raka sighed heavily before jerking his chin toward the empty chair across from him.

"You should sit down."

The sudden solemnity in his expression made her brows furrow.

Ashley walked back to the table and sat down, her eyes studying him carefully.

"I’m not stupid," Raka said the moment she settled into her seat. "I didn’t sacrifice countless nights to get my PhD just to become the biggest idiot in the world."

Ashley leaned back, arching a brow. "Then... what exactly do you know?"

Raka gulped, noticing the air around her had changed.

Even the shape of her eyes seemed sharper now. Her expression remained calm, but the shift in her presence was palpable enough for Raka to understand just how dangerous the woman sitting across from him could be.

"Actually, I don’t know much." Raka shrugged. "All I know is that you guys are dangerous and that I should probably believe whatever you tell me if I want to stay alive."

The smile completely disappeared from Ashley’s face.

Her thoughts raced as she considered how to deal with him.

Of course, they weren’t going to kill Raka simply because he had figured out that their operation wasn’t exactly legal. But at the same time, if being afraid of them was enough to keep his mouth shut, then perhaps it was better to let him remain afraid.

"If that’s what you think, then why are you telling me this now?" she asked, her voice cold and emotionless. "Should I consider it you throwing away your life?"

Raka sighed, frowning.

"Because whether I play dumb or not, my life is already compromised. And not just mine." His expression darkened. "My son’s life too."

"My husband stationed men around you to make sure what happened before never happens again." She paused. "And make sure you keep quiet."

"If those men are so reliable, then why do I keep receiving information I don’t want?" he shot back almost immediately. "You know what? I don’t care about what you guys do, all right? I can look past it. You’re funding my research, and my facility is still up and running because of you."

He clicked his tongue.

"But my son’s safety is more important to me than my research." His eyes remained fixed on hers. "You’re a parent. You understand that, right?"

Ashley’s cold countenance finally cracked. Confusion crossed her face.

"What information are you talking about?"