She told Mum she was studying, but in truth, she worked to pay for her chemotherapy.
Every morning, Emily woke at five to make it to her first job. As she got ready in silence, she could hear Mum coughing in the next roomthat heartbreaking sound growing weaker each day.
*”Off already, love?”* Mum would ask from bed when Emily peeked in to say goodbye.
*”Yes, Mum. Early lectures at uni,”* she lied, forcing a smile. *”The scholarship covers everything, remember? Dont worry about a thing.”*
Mums eyes lit up whenever she mentioned her *”studies.”* It was the only thing that brought her peace amid the pain.
*”So proud of you, Alice. My girls going to be a doctor,”* she whispered, and Emily swallowed hard to keep from crying.
The truth? Shed never set foot in a university lecture hall. That *”scholarship”* was pure invention. From six in the morning till two in the afternoon, she worked at a café, then scrubbed offices from four till eleven at nightall to cover the chemo costs the NHS wouldnt fully pay for.
One Tuesday morning, while serving coffee at the hospital where Mum was treated, Dr. Bennett approached her.
*”Alice? Youre Mrs. Thompsons daughter, arent you?”*
Her blood turned to ice. *”Yes, Doctor. Isis everything alright? Has something happened to Mum?”*
*”Shes stable, dont worry,”* he assured her gently. *”But I need to speak with you. Have a moment?”*
Her legs trembled. *”Is it about the payments? I swear, Ill catch up this week”*
*”Its not that,”* he interrupted softly. *”Your mother mentioned youre studying medicine on a full scholarship.”*
The world tilted beneath her. *”IDoctor, I can explain”*
*”Alice, Ive worked here fifteen years. I know every medical student in London,”* he said, his gaze steady, kind. *”And Ive watched you running between jobs for months.”*
Tears spilled down her cheeks. *”Please, dont tell Mum. Its the only thing keeping her going. If she finds out I dropped out for her, shell”*
*”I wont say a word,”* he promised. *”But I want to help. I have connections at Kings College. We can make that lie a reality.”*
She couldnt breathe. *”Doctor, I dont have the money”*
*”Tuitions covered. Fees too. Just be at the medical faculty tomorrow at eight. Ive spoken to the deanan old friend.”*
Words failed her. She wept like a child.
*”Why are you doing this?”* she managed between sobs.
*”Because Ive seen how fiercely you love your mother. Because you work eighteen hours a day without complaint. And because someone like you deserves the chance to reclaim the dreams you put on hold.”* He squeezed her shoulder. *”Besides, the world needs more doctors like you.”*
That night, she came home with hope swelling in her chest. Mum was awake, waiting as always.
*”How was uni today, love?”*
For the first time in months, Emilys smile was real. *”Brilliant, Mum. New classes start tomorrow. Its going to be a great year.”*
*”You look different, Alice. Like youre glowing.”*
*”Because I finally believe everythings going to be alright, Mum. Everythings going to be alright.”*
As she tucked her in, Emily realisedsometimes, the most painful lies can become the most beautiful truths. And angels walk among us, dressed in white coats, arriving just when we need them most.
