His Mate His Mistake

“Some daughters lose their mothers to death, I lost mine while she was still breathing.” Tears swelled in Mona Lisa's eyes as she scribbled the words on her diary.

A dull ache sat on her chest as a reminder of the one truth in her life: Life never waited for broken people to heal.

She learnt that the hard way.

While other girls her age  worried about dates, vacations,  or graduation parties, Mona Lisa cared about surviving. She woke up before sunrise, every morning. She worked earnestly, and everyday she prayed to just survive.

A small smile formed at the side of her lips as she colored the ‘S’ in the word ‘success’ she wrote. That was her goal. 

As a third year university student on a full time scholarship education, failure wasn't an option. Her grades were the only thing keeping her in school. Every exam, test, project she always exceeded the score, not because she was naturally gifted but because it was a necessity. Losing her scholarship would mean losing her chance at a future she dreamt of, one with no sorrows or pain. 

She wouldn't let it happen. 

The ringtone from her phone disrupted her thoughts. She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Fuck, it's so late." 

The caller ID popped up the moment she took the call.

Rosewood care home.

Mona Lisa's chest tightened as she pressed the phone slightly against her ear.

"Miss Gabriel?” The nurse's exhausted voice came through the line.

“Your mother's condition has become unstable again, the doctor adjusted her medication but we still need this month’s medication to continue her treatment.” she continued.

Mona Lisa closed her eyes to stop the tears from dropping. “I'll  find the money.” 

“That's what you said the last time, miss Gabriel." The annoyance in the nurse's voice didn't go unnoticed.

Mona Lisa exhaled tiredly, there was no other answer she could give.

Silence stretched for a moment longer until the lady ended the call. 

Tossing her phone to the edge of the bed, Mona Lisa slumped into her pillow, she stared at the roof with glassy eyes. “What do I do?" 

She glanced at her lampstand and a lump formed in her throat, envelopes piled on top envelopes each with warnings from the landlord.

She still had rent to pay, debts to pay, text books to buy and she had to keep her mother alive.

***********

The next morning, Mona Lisa returned to her father's house to pick up some of her old clothes before heading to work.

She passed through the front gate, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. It was once her home but now she could barely recognise the place.

She clenched her fist as she moved further into the house, the building reminded her of her father's infidelity, her pain and her mother's suffering. 

Years ago, she once lived there with her mother and father, happily married until her father brought home his secretary as his new found love.

Everything changed after. 

The woman moved into their home and took everything that belonged to Mona Lisa's mother.

Little by little, Mona Lisa watched her mother disappear. Every insult, every humiliation, every betrayal slowly destroyed the gentle woman who once filled their home with warmth and laughter.

The doctors called it severe depression followed by mental deterioration. 

Mona Lisa simply called it heartbreak.

Eventually, they had to admit her mother into the care home but reality wasn't done being a cruel bitch.

Her father's business collapsed, his wealth vanished overnight and the only person he placed the blame on was Mona Lisa and her mother.

To punish them, he redrew every financial help he gave to them, leaving Mona Lisa to carry on the responsibilities.

“Hey you!" 

Mona Lisa flinched. She looked up to see her step sister standing in the middle of the hall, arms crossed. " What the fuck are you doing here? Didn't you leave?” 

The arrogance in her tone was unmistaken.

Mona Lisa's step brother, Jackson smirked. “She's back for crumbs Lizzy, paying bills for her psycho mom, drained her pockets dry.” He uttered, rudely.

Lizzy stepped forward, her eyes sharp. “I heard old businessmen pay a lot for young, innocent chicks like you, go to them instead.”

Jackson snorted, unimpressed. “Maybe that's how she's been paying for that crazy woman's treatment.”

Mona Lisa felt her patience fade, she clenched her fist. "Don't talk about my mother like that.” Her voice came out sharper than expected.

"Mona Lisa!” The voice thundered from upstairs.

Mona Lisa's eyes widened as her step mother stormed down the stairs.

The lady stopped in front of her. 

“I_" the words hung in the air, replaced by the harsh sound of her step mother's slap.

“You dare raise your voice to my kids, in my house?" Her step mother snapped.

Mona Lisa glared at her, hot tears swelling in her eyes. “Your house?" 

“This was my mother's house before you came and stole everything from us!" 

Her step mother blinked, stunned.

She raised her hand to hit her again but she stopped mid way, her gaze drifted to the entrance where Mr Gabriel stood.

“After everything I did for you and your mother, you should at least be grateful.” 

Mona Lisa simply glanced at her father, he was watching silently, like he always did.

His lips parted but nothing came out, Mona Lisa frowned slightly, she expected him to speak—just one word to stop the humiliation but he didn't say anything.

The man who once carried her like she was his whole world looked away from her.

Her stepmother scoffed, a victorious smirk forming at the corner of her lips. 

She walked towards the man. "Welcome home honey, Mona Lisa was just leaving, wasn't she?”

Mona Lisa gulped down, she gripped the strap of her school bag and walked out of the house .

Away from them and away from the pain.

*******

The moment Mona Lisa stepped into Room 203, her footsteps slowed.

Her mother sat quietly beside the window, watching the afternoon sunlight spill across the floor. A faded smile rested on her lips as she hummed a song Mona Lisa hadn’t heard since childhood.

“Mama…”

The woman slowly turned.

Her cloudy eyes rested on Mona Lisa’s face.

She frowned slightly.

As if searching through memories that refused to stay.

“Mama…” Mona Lisa whispered again, forcing a smile despite the tears threatening to escape.

The older woman carefully reached out with trembling fingers and gently touched Mona Lisa’s cheek.

She studied her face for a long moment.

“…Mona…?”

Mona Lisa nodded immediately.

“Yes, Mom. It’s me. Mona Lisa.”

Silence.

The woman looked again.

Her fingers traced her daughter’s face once more before her expression suddenly softened.

“Oh…”

“Mona Lisa.”

She smiled like a little child who had finally solved a difficult puzzle before pulling her daughter into a warm embrace.

“I found you.”

The simple words shattered Mona Lisa’s heart.

She hugged her mother tightly, hiding the tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I baked your favorite cookies today,” she said softly, opening the small paper box from her school bag  she had carried all morning.

Her mother blinked curiously.

“Cookies?”

“Yes.”

“The butter cookies you used to make with me.”

The older woman giggled innocently before taking one.

“It smells nice.”

Watching her mother enjoy something she no longer remembered teaching her was both beautiful and heartbreaking.

After helping her finish the cookies and reminding her to take her medication, Mona Lisa reached into her bag and brought out a small notebook together with an old photograph.

The picture showed a younger woman holding the hand of a little girl with bright eyes and a wide smile.

Carefully, she placed the photograph inside the notebook.

Then she picked up a pen and wrote neatly on the first page.

Today your daughter, Mona Lisa, came to visit you.

She loves you very much.

If one day you forget her face, please remember this: you are never alone.

She closed the notebook and placed it gently into her mother’s hands.

“When you wake up and can’t remember me…” Mona Lisa whispered, her voice trembling, “…just read this book, okay?”

Her mother looked down at the notebook before hugging it tightly against her chest.

“I’ll remember.”

Mona Lisa smiled through her tears. “I know you will.”

She kissed her mother’s forehead before forcing herself to leave.

The moment the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall outside and finally allowed herself to cry.

No matter how many times she visited…

No matter how many memories disappeared…

She would keep coming back.

She would remind her mother who she was every single day if she had to.

Because love deserved to be remembered, even when memories could not.

******

Outside the school gate, Mona Lisa sat on the empty bench, she stared at the green grass on the field, her thoughts all over the place.

Her best friend Nora, walked up to her. She opened her mouth to ask questions but Mona Lisa's swollen cheek told her everything. 

"I told you not to go there anymore, you don't ever listen, Lisa!” She said, her voice sharp.

Mona Lisa looked up at her, her eyes were red. “Why does he hate us so much?" 

Nora exhaled frustratedly, she took the empty space beside her and threw her hand over Mona Lisa's shoulder, pulling her closer. “He doesn't hate you. He's just blinded by that evil witch." 

Mona Lisa snorted. “Witches don't exist Nora." 

Nora smiled briefly, she tucked her hand into her jacket pocket and bought out a hundred note bundle. “Here, for aunt's hospital bills." 

Mona Lisa pulled away slightly, "I can't keep taking your money Nora.” 

"You're not, I'm giving it to you. You're going to pay me back after all.” 

She forced the money into Mona Lisa's hand and crossed her arms on her chest. "You're my best friend Lisa. Best friends look out for each other.”

Mona Lisa sniffled, she smiled finally. "Okay, but I promise, when I get rich I'm going to pay you back everything.”

Nora gasped suddenly, she jerked out of the bench. “I know how you can repay me!" 

Mona Lisa blinked, confused. “How?" 

“Smile!" Nora squeaked dramatically 

Mona Lisa chuckled lightly, after a while she smiled and this time, it was genuine.

The bell for the first period rang loudly around the school.

Nora grabbed Mona Lisa's hand and pulled her along with her.

As the class ended, their professor adjusted his glasses and addressed the students.

“Before you leave, I need everyone on academic scholarship to pay close attention.”

The room fell silent.

“The university board is considering reducing the scholarship program due to financial constraints. Nothing has been finalized, but if the proposal is approved, several students may lose their funding before next semester.”

The words struck Mona Lisa like a bolt of lightning.

Her fingers tightened around her notebook.

Her scholarship…

It was the only reason she could still attend university.

Without it…

She would lose her education.

Her dream.

Everything.

Beside her, Nora happily packed her books, completely unaware of the panic spreading through Mona Lisa’s heart.

Mona Lisa forced herself to smile.

She couldn’t let Nora worry again.

Her best friend had already sacrificed too much for her.

As the students walked out of the building, Mona Lisa’s phone vibrated.

A message from Rosewood Care Home appeared on her screen.

Her smile disappeared.

“Miss Gabriel, please come immediately. Someone is here insisting on taking your mother out of the care home.”