Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 445

ARIELLA

When we got home that night, Asher told me about his uncle's birthday.

Apparently, it was his uncle's birthday, and he wanted me and Leon to be there. But Leon was exhausted. He had just taken a bath, and the poor thing kept yawning every few seconds.

I made him a little evening snack so he wouldn't go to bed hungry, and by the time he finished eating, he could barely keep his eyes open. The last thing I wanted to do was drag him to a birthday dinner to meet another group of strangers.

Asher's uncle, his wife, their children, and his grandchildren. It was a lot. We hadn't even prepared Leon for it, and after everything that had happened today with my mother, I knew he had reached his limit.

So I suggested that only Asher and I go. His uncle wanted to meet both of us for his birthday today, but he could have me or none of us.

"Okay," Asher agreed. "I'll have Luca stay here and keep an eye on Leon."

I nodded. That sounded like the best plan. So we got ready and drove to his uncle's house. I thought Asher had brought far too many soldiers for a simple family birthday. After all, we were going to visit his own uncle, A member of the famiglia and one of his captains.

Surely there would be enough security. But then again... This was Asher, and He knew his family better than I did. So I didn't question it.

His uncle's house was enormous. Warm and Elegant as expected. The moment we walked in, his wife greeted us with genuine kindness. She hugged me, welcomed me into the family, and fussed over whether I had eaten enough before dinner. I immediately liked her.

I also noticed something else. Asher smiled more when speaking to her than he did when speaking to his uncle or his cousins. It was subtle, but I noticed.

Dinner itself was... strange. Not bad, just careful. Before we arrived, Asher had already explained the history between different branches of the family and why things were about to get tense.

He had even quietly warned me.

"Only eat food that everyone else is eating, and after they put it inside their mouth."

"And only drink something after you've seen one of the family members drink it first."

I had stared at him.

"You don't trust your own family?"

He hadn't answered immediately.

"I trust very few people."

"Just follow my lead, and hopefully the birthday dinner will be quick."

So I listened. Thankfully, nothing happened. They sang Happy Birthday. His uncle cut the cake, and Everyone applauded. People laughed, and Children ran around the house.

On the surface... It looked like an ordinary family celebration. Still, something felt off. I couldn't explain it. Especially whenever Asher's uncle looked at us, or more specifically... Looked at Asher.

There was something in his eyes. I couldn't tell if it was resentment, jealousy, disapproval, Disapproval Or something else entirely. Whatever it was... It made me uncomfortable.

Halfway through dinner, his uncle looked around the room.

"I thought I was finally going to meet my grandson."

Asher calmly took another sip of his drink.

"You already have plenty of grandsons."

A few people chuckled. His uncle didn't.

"I wanted to meet the Don's son."

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