Chapter 394 Backstory

Andrea gently spooned soup to his mother’s lips, watching as she managed a small smile. She was weaker than usual, her hands shaking too much to eat on her own. When she finally finished, he placed the bowl aside and sat by her bedside, his mind racing. He knew he shouldn’t ask—she was tired, and this could wait. But he couldn’t hold back any longer. “Mom, how does Claire and I are related?” She took a shaky breath, looking at him with those same weary eyes that had raised him. “Ah, Andrea… I hoped you’d never have to hear about it.” She looked away, her gaze focused somewhere far beyond the hospital room. “Years ago, I was… in love with a man. Claire’s father.” Andrea felt a pang of surprise, but he stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue. “I didn’t know he was married,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “When I found out, I knew I had to leave. I couldn’t stay and be part of that… that hurt to another family. So I came here, to Italy, and that’s when I met your father.” Hi