The life of the underworld was something Ashley had dreamed of escaping all her life. Born as a bastard from an affair between an underworld kingpin and a prostitute, Ashley was meant to die even before she was born. The only reason she survived was that her father thought she was a boy.

From a young age, she understood that if she wanted to survive in this world of violence—on top of her father’s wife and daughter’s schemes—she had to be useful.

So, she made herself a promise: one day, she would escape this world.

Ashley almost succeeded… until her father found her again and thrust her into a marriage of convenience with his rival, Dominion, in his beloved daughter’s place.

Everyone in the underworld knew Dominion.

They were cruel, organized, and simply spawns of evil. And the man who stood above that power, Luciano, was said to be downright diabolical. Just their name alone could make anyone tremble.

And this organization was where Ashley now had to survive.

To make matters worse, the marriage also came with a child — Luciano’s mute heir.

Forced to become the wife of one of the most violent and powerful underworld organizations, and the mother of its future leader, Ashley made a vow.

“No matter what, I’ll escape this place!”

But she would soon realize it wouldn’t be as simple as that. Not when the feared members of Dominion clung to her feet, begging,

“Madam, don’t go!”

And when the mute stepson finally spoke, “Mommy, if you’re leaving, please take me with you.”

Finally, her diabolical, obsessive, and utterly territorial husband said,

“I’ve packed our things. Where should we go?”

***
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Ashley paced back and forth in her room, unable to sleep. When she finally sat on the bed, she gazed down, thoughts swirling in her mind.


"The next big thing that will happen is… another escape attempt I would make with Isabella and June's help," she muttered to herself, drawing a deep breath as she recalled what originally happened.


Even though Isabella was someone Ashley loathed, she was the only person she thought could help. Besides, Ashley knew Isabella would surely help her for one reason: she wanted the title of matriarch of Dominion.


Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing Isabella wanted.


What Isabella truly wanted was for Ashley to die—to completely disappear from the picture—so she could swoop in and seduce Lucian.


"I could just refuse her help, but that's dumb… not when Lucian and everyone here still don't trust me," she muttered, turning her gaze toward the window.


Chapter 66 - Hope for him… for her… and for Primo.