The Maid's Deception

Chapter 3: The Blackwood Estate

"The Blackwood family doesn't just give that plant away. They're... protective of their collection. Security is extreme. And even if you could somehow get access, harvesting it incorrectly could kill the specimen. It's not as simple as"

"I understand." Aria's mind was already working through logistics, possibilities, risks. "But I have to try."

Dr. Morrison studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I'll have my assistant prepare copies of everything. But Aria be careful. People have tried to steal from the Blackwood Estate before. It never ends well."

I'm not like other people, Aria thought but didn't say.

She'd spent her entire life being underestimated, the poor girl who somehow got a full scholarship to medical school, the quiet student who turned out to be a genius, the unassuming woman who could hack government databases or forge documents that would pass any inspection.

She'd been with many people, worn many masks, and survived impossible situations.

This would just be one more.

Two hours later, Aria sat in her mother's hospital room, watching the woman sleep. Mei Chen looked so small in the bed, her once-vibrant face pale against the white pillows. Her black hair, now streaked with more silver than Aria remembered, was pulled back in a loose braid.

She looked fragile. Breakable.

When did that happen? When had her indomitable mother become this frail creature?

"You're staring again, baby girl."

Aria started. Her mother's eyes were open, dark and still sharp despite the illness ravaging her body.

"I'm not staring. I'm observing. There's a difference."

"Mmm." Mei's lips quivered with a small smile. "And what are you observing?"

That you're dying. That I'm losing you. That I can't imagine a world without you in it.

"That you need to eat more," Aria said instead, forcing lightness into her tone. "You're getting too thin. I'm going to bring you real food tomorrow, not this hospital garbage."

"The food here isn't so bad."

"Mother, yesterday you told me the soup tasted like dishwater mixed with regret."

Mei laughed, then coughed a wet, rattling sound that made Aria's chest tighten. When the fit passed, she reached for the cup of water on her bedside table with trembling hands.

Aria was there instantly, holding the cup to her mother's lips.

"I can do it myself," Mei protested weakly.

"I know you can. Humor me."

After she'd drunk her fill, Mei settled back against the pillows with a sigh. Her eyes were still so sharp, still so knowingly studying her daughter's face.

"The doctor told you."

It wasn't a question.

"Yes," Aria said softly.

"And?"

"And we're going to fight it. There are treatments, clinical trials, experimental therapies"

"Aria." Her mother's hand found hers, squeezing with surprising strength. "Don't lie to me. I've been dying for months. I knew before the doctors did. I can feel it."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true." Mei's expression was calm, accepting in a way that made Aria want to scream. "We'll all die eventually, baby girl. Some of us just get less time than others."

"No." Aria pulled her hand away, standing abruptly. "No, you don't get to give up. You don't get to just accept this. We're going to find a treatment. We're going to fix this."

"Aria.."

"I mean it, Mother. I'm not letting you go without a fight."

Mei was quiet for a long moment, studying her daughter with an expression Aria couldn't quite read. Pride? Worry? Sadness?

"You're so much like your father," she finally said.

Aria froze. Her mother almost never talked about her father. The man who'd died when Aria was three so young she had no memories of him, only stories her mother rarely shared.

"What do you mean?"

"Stubborn. Brilliant. Convinced you can solve any problem if you just work hard enough, think long enough, and refuse to give up." Mei smiled sadly. "He was like that too. It's what got him killed, in the end."

"What do you mean?" Aria moved closer to the bed. "You never talk about how he died."

"Because it hurts. Because I watched him destroy himself trying to save someone who couldn't be saved." Mei's eyes were distant, lost in memory. "His sister was dying. Cancer. He was convinced he could find a cure if he just worked harder, tried more things. He pushed himself until there was nothing left. Until his body gave out from exhaustion and stress."

The words hit Aria like a physical blow. She'd never known this about her father. Had never known he'd died trying to save someone.

Just like she was about to risk everything to save her mother.

"Promise me something, Aria." Mei's hand reached for hers again. "Promise me you won't do anything reckless. Don't throw your life away trying to save mine. Don't become so obsessed with fighting death that you forget to live."

Aria couldn't make that promise. Wouldn't make it.

Instead, she leaned down and kissed her mother's forehead. "Get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Aria"

"I love you, Mother. More than anything in this world."

She left before her mother could extract any promises she had no intention of keeping.