I told Mum I was studying, but I was working to pay for her chemotherapy.
Every morning, I rose at five to make it to my first job. As I dressed in silence, I could hear Mum coughing in the next roomthat awful, gut-wrenching cough that grew weaker each day.
“Off already, love?” she asked from bed when I peeked in to say goodbye.
“Yes, Mum. Early lectures at uni,” I lied with a tight smile. “The scholarship covers everything, remember? Dont worry about a thing.”
Her eyes lit up whenever I mentioned my “studies.” It was the only thing that comforted her through the pain.
“Im so proud of you, Charlotte. My girls going to be a doctor,” she whispered, and I swallowed hard to keep from crying.
The truth was, Id never set foot in a university lecture hall. That “scholarship” was pure invention. I worked from six in the morning till two at a café, then scrubbed office floors from four till eleven at nightall for the chemo treatments the NHS didnt fully cover.
One Tuesday morning, as I poured coffee at the hospital where Mum was being treated, Dr. Hawthorne approached my table.
“Charlotte? Youre Mrs. Eleanors daughter, arent you?”
My blood ran cold. “Yes, Doctor. Isis everything alright? Has something happened to Mum?”
“Shes stable, dont worry,” he said gently. “But I need to speak with you. Have a moment?”
My legs trembled. “Is it about the payments? I swear Ill catch up this week”
“Its not that.” He cut me off softly. “Your mother told me youre studying medicine on a full scholarship.”
The world tilted beneath me. “I Doctor, I can explain”
“Charlotte, Ive worked here fifteen years. I know every medical student in London.” His gaze was kind. “And Ive watched you rush between jobs for months.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks. “Please, dont tell Mum. Its the only thing keeping her going. If she knew I dropped out for her, shed”
“I wont say a word,” he promised. “But I want to help. I have connections at Kings College. We can turn that lie into truth.”
I could hardly breathe. “Doctor, I cant afford”
“The tuitions covered. So are the fees. Just be at the medical faculty tomorrow at eight. Ive spoken to the deanan old friend.”
I sobbed like a child, unable to speak.
“Why are you doing this?” I finally choked out.
“Because Ive seen how fiercely you love your mother. Because you work eighteen hours a day without complaint. And because someone like you deserves a shot at the dreams she had to put on hold.” He rested a hand on my shoulder. “Besides, the world needs more doctors like you.”
That night, I came home with hope swelling in my chest. Mum was awake, waiting as always.
“How was uni today, love?”
For the first time in months, my smile was real. “Brilliant, Mum. New classes start tomorrow. Its going to be a fantastic year.”
“You look different, Charlotte. Like youre glowing.”
“Because I finally believe everythings going to be alright, Mum. Everythings going to be alright.”
As I tucked her in, I realised some liesthe painful ones, the ones that break your heartcan blossom into the most beautiful truths. And sometimes, angels wear white coats and find you exactly when you need them most.
