Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 453

ARIELLA

My mother caught my gaze sweeping across the room.

"I wasn't expecting company," she said a little too quickly. "I was just... cleaning."

I nodded, pretending to believe her.

"Of course."

Thankfully, Leon noticed absolutely none of it.

"Grandma!" he shouted, already running toward the living room. "Look! I brought your flowers."

My mother's entire expression softened.

"Oh, sweetheart..."

She accepted the flowers as though they were the most precious gift she had ever received.

"They're beautiful."

"I picked them myself."

"I can tell." She kissed the top of his head before disappearing into the kitchen to find a vase.

I stood alone for a moment, watching the hallway she'd disappeared down. Something felt... Off. Not dangerous. Just... different. Maybe I was imagining things.

Maybe I was simply carrying all the anger and hurt from my fight with Asher into this house.

"Ariella?"

I looked up and noticed my mother had returned with the flowers arranged carefully in a glass vase.

"They're perfect."

Leon puffed out his little chest proudly.

"I told Mommy you'd like them."

"I love them." She looked between the two of us before her eyes settled on the suitcases.

"So..." she asked gently. "How long is this sleepover supposed to be?"

I forced a smile.

"I don't know."

She frowned.

"You don't know?"

"I just... needed to get away for a little while."

Her expression changed instantly. She looked past me toward the window where two of Asher's soldiers stood outside, keeping watch over the property.

Then she looked back at me.

"Is there a problem between you two? Did you have a fight?"

It wasn't a question.

I sighed.

"We'll talk about it later," I responded, looking at Leon.

"Is it serious?" She asked, almost like she already understood.

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