The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 287

"Aria," Elena greeted, "I haven't heard from you in forever. Is everything okay?"

"Oh, it's the usual shit keeping me busy," Aria replied nonchalantly. "You know, boy trouble, like always, but I'm also covering for my cousin. Sorry I haven't gotten to bless you with my voice in a while, but I promise I can make up for it!"

Elena laughed. "Oh, really now?"

"Come on, El, don't doubt me!" Aria laughed back. "Like I said, I'm helping my cousin with his work these days and it looks like I might be taking a business trip down to New York a little after the holidays. Or around it, depending on how some details work out."

"Seriously?" Elena breathed out.

"El, I would never lie to you about something this important," Aria replied. "I know you're not close with your family, so I always try to be with you during the holidays, and none are quite as commercialized, advertised, and idolized like the big holly jolly winter ones. You really think I wouldn't do my damnedest to visit you during them?"

Elena was truly touched by her friend's thoughtfulness. Some of her fondest memories were of spending the holidays with Aria. Whether it was marching over to Time Square to watch the ball drop on New Years or barely making an edible roasted turkey or glazed ham, Aria had always made sure the holidays—times traditionally spent with family—never made Elena feel anything but wanted and loved.

The fact Aria was still thinking of Elena even though she had moved away made Elena so happy. But things had changed since Aria left.

"Actually, I'm not sure if I'll be in New York City for the holidays this year," Elena said slowly. "My biological mother actually reached out to me. She married a rich man and is offering to let me move in with her—back in California."

"El, that's awesome!" Aria stated. "But why don't you sound excited? You basically just won the lottery."

"Because since you've let Massimo, I've been kinda... filling in for that position, and things are tense right now," Elena explained. "If the Mafia Queen just left, that would make Massimo look weak, wouldn't it? And that's not even taking into account how much work I do for the Ferraros—for the mafia as a whole."

Aria sighed. "So you've made this all very complicated, and now don't know what to do?"

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