She had to tell Aria. Couldn't keep this secret any longer. Had been selfish and cowardly in hoping the situation would resolve itself, would somehow go away without requiring her to have the conversation she'd been dreading for twenty-five years.
But the timing was terrible. Aria was settling into her position at the hospital, was happier than Mei had ever seen her. Her relationship with Damien was strong and loving and finally built on honesty after everything they'd been through.
Everything was finally good. Finally stable.
And now this.
Mei picked up her phone and dialed Aria's number. She needed to hear her daughter's voice, needed to gauge her mood, needed to figure out the right way to begin the most difficult conversation of both their lives.
The phone rang four times before going to voicemail.
"You've reached Aria Chen. Please leave a message."
