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 rooma sound that shattered my heart, growing fainter each day.
*”Off already, love?”* she’d ask from her bed when I peeked in to say goodbye.
*”Yes, Mum. Early lectures at uni,”* I lied with a stiff 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 soothed her through the pain.
*”So proud of you, Emily. My girls going to be a doctor,”* shed whisper, and Id swallow hard to keep from crying.
The truth was, Id never set foot in a university. That *”scholarship”* was pure fiction. I worked from six in the morning till two in the afternoon at a café, then scrubbed offices from four till eleven at nightall to cover the chemo the NHS didnt fully pay for.
One Tuesday, as I poured coffee in the hospital where Mum was treated, Dr. Whitmore approached my table.
*”Emily? Youre Mrs. Margarets daughter, arent you?”*
My blood ran cold. *”Yes, Doctor. Isis everything alright? Has something happened to Mum?”*
*”Shes stable, dont fret,”* he said gently. *”But I need a word. Can you sit a moment?”*
My legs trembled. *”Is it about the payments? I swear, Ill catch up this week”*
*”No, no,”* he cut in softly. *”Your mother mentioned you’re studying medicine on a full scholarship.”*
The world tilted beneath me. *”I Doctor, I can explain”*
*”Emily, I’ve worked here fifteen years. I know every med student in Bristol,”* he said, his gaze too knowing. *”And I’ve watched you running between jobs for months.”*
Tears spilled down my cheeks. *”Please, dont tell Mum. Its the only thing keeping her going. If she knew I left uni for her, shed”*
*”I wont say a word,”* he promised. *”But I want to help. Ive contacts at the university. We can turn that lie into truth.”*
I barely dared to breathe. *”Doctor, I cant afford”*
*”Tuitions paid. Fees too. Just show up tomorrow at eightmedical faculty. Ive spoken to the dean, an old friend.”*
I wept like a child, wordless.
*”Why do this for me?”* I managed between sobs.
*”Because Ive seen how you care for your mother. Because you work eighteen hours without complaint. And because someone like you deserves the chance to chase the dreams she paused.”* He squeezed my shoulder. *”Besides, the world needs more doctors like you.”*
That night, I came home with hope burning 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 modules tomorrow. Its going to be a smashing year.”*
*”You look different, Emily. Lighter, somehow.”*
*”Because I finally believe itll all be alright, Mum. Everything will be alright.”*
As I tucked her in, I realised some liesthe most painful onescould twist into the loveliest truths. And that sometimes, angels wear white coats and appear precisely when you need them.
