Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 300

ARIELLA

I move fast, shower, dress, steady myself and head downstairs.

The moment I reach the last step, William appears as if summoned.

“Mrs Romano, good morning.”

“Good morning, William.”

“I hope you had an amazing night and Welcome. If you don’t mind, the dining room is this way.”

“Thank you,” I say, following him. “Leon is in his playroom?”

“Yes, madam.”

That eases me a little.

In the dining room, William serves breakfast promptly and then leaves. The room is quiet, too quiet. I suddenly wish I’d gone to find Leon first.

Still, I eat. Alone

When I’m done, I go searching for the playroom. I get lost on the first try, of course, but eventually I find it. Leon is on the floor, deeply focused, Lego pieces spread everywhere.

“Leon?”

“Yes, Mommy,” he says, giving me his attention. “Are we going to the pool?”

“Later,” I say. “How about a walk first? You said you wanted to go outside.”

“Yes! Yes!” He jumps up immediately and bolts ahead of me.

I follow him outside, the sunlight hitting my face and then William appears out of nowhere again.

“Madam,” he says politely. “Mrs Romano. Is there anything you would need?”

“No,” I say. “Leon and I are just going for a stroll.”

“Would you like me to give you a tour?” he asks.

“Outside?” I blink.

“Yes, madam,” he says with a small, respectful smile. “I want you to be familiar with everything. This is your home.”

I nod slowly. “Alright.”

Leon grabs my hand, tugging me forward. We step into the gardens, the fountains, the wide paths, the quiet guards stationed discreetly. A little farther away from the house, I notice another building and slow my steps.

“What’s that?” I ask.

William follows my gaze. “That’s the servants’ quarters. And behind it is the guards’ house.”

“Oh,” I say.

“Yes,” he continues calmly. “Mr Romano wanted privacy for himself and his family. That’s why there are no guards inside the main house, only stationed outside. Close enough for protection, but not so close that it overwhelms you,” he adds, glancing briefly at Leon and me.

I nod, smiling. Asher really thought of everything. Of me. Of Leon. Of us.

We continue walking, and somewhere along the way William starts talking more to Leon than to me, explaining things with a gentleness that surprises me. Behind the house, we come upon a wide, perfectly kept field.

“This is the sports field,” William tells Leon proudly. “It can also be used for football, basketball, tennis......whatever you want. Any sports you like, this place is yours.”

All I can think is wow.

So Asher joins us, sitting between us, pulling Leon and me close as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. We watch in silence for a few moments, and when Leon is fully absorbed, Asher leans down and kisses my forehead. Again.

“Are you okay?” he whispers.

“I’m okay now that you're here.”

“I’m sorry I had to rush out this morning. You were so tired. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him honestly.

“I did everything I could to get back to you,” he says softly. “I knew we should spend today together. I had to be here to welcome you home.”

I smile. “Well, William already gave us a full tour. Inside and outside.”

He pretends to look wounded. “That hurts.”

I laugh. “How about we just do something fun you loved doing here? Maybe dinner outside later. Just the three of us.”

“I’d love that,” he says easily. “For now, let’s just enjoy this time together.”

So we do.

I watch Asher and Leon together, watch Leon’s excitement as he asks questions, points things out, whispers did you see that? every few minutes.

And it’s in moments like this, quiet, ordinary, full, as I watch Leon and his father together, that I tell myself I didn’t make the wrong choice.

That I was supposed to be here.

That this…this is my life now.