Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 435

ASHER

My mother continued staring at me in confusion, so I kept going.

"I was hoping you would let me explain what happened eight years ago," I said quietly. "So I could explain why I did what I did...."

She opened her mouth, and I already knew she was about to stop me. Probably tell me she didn't care. Probably tell me it didn't matter. So I rushed ahead.

"I left because I was pregnant."

Her mouth closed.

And just like that, I had her attention.

"You knew I was pregnant when I ran away."

She nodded slowly.

"And you also knew it wasn't Don Romano's child."

Silence.

"The child was Asher's."

She didn't interrupt; she already knew this. She was probably wondering where I was going with this.

"I knew that if Domenico Romano found out, just like he told me years ago, he was going to kill me. Kill all of us.... And I know what you're thinking, but I would have never married that man...."

My voice shook slightly.

"I didn't just run away for myself or for my child. I knew I couldn't put Dad in danger. I couldn't put you in danger."

I swallowed.

"And that's why I ran away. That's why I caused the fire. Because I wanted you to survive. I wanted you safe."

For the first time since I had arrived, my mother looked completely stunned.

"So that child..." she whispered.

There was something new in her voice. Something that resembled Interest, Hope.

"You have a grandson," I said.

Her hand flew to her mouth. Then she suddenly sat down heavily. And honestly? I wasn't expecting that reaction.

Tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them away quickly.

"I never even thought..." she whispered. "I never even stopped to think that if you ran away, you might come back with a child.... I was so angry at you and what you did....."

More tears slipped down her cheeks.

"You had a son."

"Yes." I smiled softly. "I have a son."

She wiped her face again and stared somewhere far away.

"I always wanted a son." She whispered.

"I know."

Feeling like it was safer now, that she wasn't still angry at me, I moved closer and sat down beside her where Luca had been.

"I know. You always wished I had been a boy." I said, trying not to let resentment into my words.

Her eyes shifted toward me.

"Dad always said you wanted more children."

A sad smile touched her lips.

"No." She shook her head. "That's not it." Her voice sounded distant.

"He blamed himself. He used to say he couldn't give you and two children the life you wanted," I said softly.

She looked away, her face numb, and I realised she didn't want to talk about that. So I didn't push.

Instinctively, I reached for her hand. She pulled it away immediately, but it didn't sting as much this time. Not when she immediately asked,

"So this grandson of mine... where is he?"

I couldn't stop my smile.

"He's at home."

Her entire face softened.

"I used to tell him stories about you and Dad. And I'm sure he would love to meet you, if you want."

"What does he like to eat? What's his favourite food?"

I laughed. And from that point on, we only talked about Leon. She wanted to know everything. His favourite colour, His favorite food, what games he played, and how school was going.

What he liked.

What he hated.

Whether he looked like me even a tiny bit.

Whether he got into trouble.

Whether he liked animals.

Whether he liked gardening.

She got completely invested...... And for the first time since I had walked through that door... My mother smiled. Really smiled.

Then the living room door opened as Asher and Luca walked back in. Asher was the first one through the door. Immediately, I saw it the minute he walked in. The caution, the suspicion and the concern.

His eyes moved from me... To my mother...To the fact that we were sitting on the same couch, talking and smiling. His eyebrows slowly pulled together.

He looked suspicious as hell, and honestly? It was kind of funny.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about," Luca said, motioning toward my mother and me. Then he looked at Asher.

Asher gave him an evil look before his gaze came questioning toward me, and I smiled to let him know that we were fine. Everything was good.

"So, we finished fixing the bathroom. It's top-notch," Luca said to my mother proudly.

My mother immediately stood up.

"I'll believe it when I see it. Do you know how many people I have had fixing that bathroom, and then the minute they leave, it keeps doing the same thing?"

"Well, I come highly recommended," Luca said, winking at her.

My mother rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to check it first."

"Okay then. In the meantime, we'll take our leave," Asher said, his tone not leaving space for argument.

It was clear he didn't want to be here and wasn't interested in spending a second longer.