Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 218

ARIELLA

Maria was still looking at me, her eyes wide, her face filled with confusion. It was like she’d walked into a chemistry lab when she’d only ever studied art; she had no idea what was going on here.

“But… what did he say?” she finally asked.

“Well, practically, he blamed me for everything.”

“Blamed you for everything?”

“Ketchup, Maria, okay? Didn’t you see the news? Oh my god, why am I even telling you this?" I took a much-needed breath

"Anyway, Luca is mad because Asher left and came here, and after he found out about Leon, he got mad and left. Now, Luca doesn’t know where he is. He's not there...and not here either. Apparently, he was supposed to go back today, which I had no idea about. So, now Luca is blaming me for Asher going missing.”

“He’s missing?”

“Ah, Maria, could you just… I don’t know. Can you make me a coffee or something? Make yourself useful... ”

“Okay, just… fine...... Leon was talking about his dad today. He said his dad made him a promise, and he was really happy, and I just thought, you know…” She trailed off.

“He did?” I asked, my voice shifting, the reality setting in.

Leon had just met his dad. They had just talked. And I hadn’t been there. I hadn’t talked to him. I didn’t even know what I would have said. The thought hollowed me out.

“I’m a bad mother,” was all I could manage.

“No, you’re not,” Maria said, pulling me toward her.

But I had no more tears left. I’d cried too much already. I was supposed to find a way to tell him slowly, to ease into it.

“Don’t worry,” Maria murmured. “He was actually very happy to meet his dad. He was happy and excited today. And just… don’t blame yourself. You are a great mom, Ariella.”

I sniffled before pulling myself together. Maria said, “Okay, I’ll get you some coffee.”

“All right. I guess I’ll take a shower,” I replied.

I walked into the bathroom, opened the door, and caught my reflection in the mirror. I looked like absolute shit. Puffy eyes, red and raw, a face that mirrored exactly how I felt inside.

I stepped into the shower and let the water wash over me. When I came out, Maria had already placed a cup of coffee on the table. I sat down, cradled the warm mug in my hands, but I couldn’t stay in that bedroom any longer.

I stood, opened the door to leave, and froze. Because all I saw was him. Asher. The same look in his eyes that had haunted me since last night. That cold, sharp gaze that sent a shiver down my spine. I closed my eyes and quickly turned away, heading downstairs.

I could hear Maria in the kitchen and followed the sound, but stopped just at the threshold, looking at the place Asher and Leon occupied yesterday. There they were. Asher and Leon, sitting together for the very first time, sharing a midnight snack. Father and son. So happy, so content just being near each other.....

And then Asher glanced up at me. His eyes burned with something dark, something like hatred.

I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat.

From the hallway came Luca’s voice, cold and sharp.

"Ariella....!"

“In here!” Maria responded

Luca stepped into the living room, his gaze scanning both of us and then lingering on the untouched food beside us. A tight smile crept onto his face, more like a grimace.

“Luca,” Maria greeted him, a warm smile forming on her lips. “We were just about to have dinner. There’s more than enough.....you can join us.”

He shook his head, voice low and steady. “I didn’t come here to eat. I don’t have the appetite for it. I haven’t eaten all night.” His eyes locked onto me. “And you’re here, eating?”

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down. After a tense pause, he said,

“I need to talk to you.”

Maria excused herself quickly. “I’ll be in the kitchen,” she said, slipping out of the room, leaving just Luca and me alone.

We stared at each other, and in that silence, I could feel the storm brewing between us. Luca looked furious, but beneath it, I saw something else, a kind of bitter disappointment. I knew the truth. He was part of this mess, part of why I hadn’t told Asher about Leon sooner.

If I hadn’t listened to him, if I’d told Asher the truth from the start, maybe none of this would be happening. Maybe Leon wouldn’t have had to meet his father like this, like a secret uncovered too late.

The guilt settled like a stone in my chest.