“Selina, I have to tell you something.” Ella said as Selina sat next to her in the hospital room.
Selina forced a smile. “What is it?”
Ella took a deep breath in. “I knew about Jiro…and...”
Selina gave her a confused look but then later smiled. And soon a smile turned into laughter.
“Why are you laughing?” Ella asked.
“You mean when he was trying to protect you from Yan?” Selina asked. “I know about that, Ella.”
“Wha--how?”
“Jiro told me.” Selina sighed. “I know why you didn’t tell me, and I was mad at you first, but I understand now.” Ella gave her a warm smile.
“Thank you.” she whispered.
---
Ella was approved to go home, and it seemed that since she came home, Mary had been avoiding her.
Chun reassured her that it was nothing, and that Mary hadn’t been avoiding her but she didn’t have time to visit her.
That night while eating dinner, she decided to tell her reason for her secret.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my….problem.” Ella said to no one in particular.
“I knew you wouldn’t except the fact that I came from an orphanage. That’s why my parents--Mr. Cheng lied to you. And once we all figured that I was part of the Chen’s, you all accepted me.”
“But during my time of hiding my identity from you was like trying to breath in the last of my breath.” Ella looked at Chun who avoided eye contact with her.
“I was scared that you wouldn’t accept me because I was from that place. And I was scared to tell you about my…inabilities because you had so much expectations from me and I knew I wouldn’t be able to exceed it.”
Ella could see the tears form on the rim of her eyes.
“I didn’t know how to tell you after you expected so much.” she started sobbing.
“Excuse me please. I‘m full.” Mary said and excused herself from the table.
Ella was going to follow her but Mike stopped her. “Just give her some time, Ella. She’ll understand later.”
Ella exhaled deeply and silently sobbed with Chun glancing at her every second.
---
“Ella, how about adoption?” Chun asked her that same night.
“Adoption?” Ella was confused. “Ma will never approve it.”
“How else are we going to have grandchildren for her?”
“Wish for a miracle?” Ella said. Chun smiled. “Chun? Are you mad at me?”
“No.”
“Are you lying?”
“No.”
“Do you want to have kids?” Ella asked.
“Why do you keep asking me about this?”
“You don’t want kids?”
Chun sighed. “Ella, I love you butI’m not ready for a child. I’m still nervous and confused about--”
Before he could finish Ella sat up.
“Why did you marry me?” Ella asked.
“What?”
