The Mafia's Young Wife

The promise I was seated in the first row of class, my heart pounding with excitement as I faced the professor who was wearing a white coat and a grim expression on her face. She directed us to a page in our textbook and I giddily flipped through the pages. The ruffling of pages filled the air along with the grumblings of fellow students which I dimmed in my mind. Compared to the other students here, I was different. I wanted this class to happen so I could reach my dream. The dream that always seemed so far from reach for me. I was the daughter of no one famous. No one was looking out for me, so it was my responsibility to become something for myself. And I was halfway there. The murmurings of students enveloped the class but the professor's voice was louder, and I could hear it as clear as day. And somehow, her words burned a fiery flame in my heart. After some minutes, she asked a familiar question, and I immediately threw my hands in the air. Sensing my enthusiasm, she paused for a moment to look at me through her medically prescribed goggles. She nodded merely a second later and I jumped up from my chair. "What's your name?" "Leah Hansley." Murmurs immediately arose within the students and I faintly heard some. "She passed with the highest marks and got a scholarship." "Answer me this. Can water stay liquid below zero degrees Celsius?" "Yes," I said without hesitation. "Why?" "Well… There are a few ways this can happen— One of them includes the freezing point of water dropping below zero degrees Celsius, then pressure is applied." "Good point, Hansley." I found myself grinning ear to ear as the lecture continued. I hadn't been praised that much before. After class ended, I heard my coursemates mumble about my 'annoying' behavior in class because I answered most of the questions. I was about to drown in their negative appraisal of me when I heard… "Miss Hansley?" I whipped my neck so fast that I almost got a whiplash. "P-professor?" I bowed my head, surprised that she even remembered my name. She placed a hand on my shoulder causing me to stiffen up. However, the tension in my shoulders disappeared as soon as they came. "You did great in class today, keep it up." "T-thank you, professor." I bowed my head slightly as I watched her leave. I was about to go for my lunch break too when I heard my phone ring. I sighed and fished my phone out of my pocket. I already knew who it was without answering. I had no friends. My mother chased them all away due to her abusive behavior. I clicked the answer button, "Hello mum, there's ramen in the fridge if you're hungry. I'll be home a little late today because of school, I'll go to the library and —" "—You spoiled fool!" I heard her snap, "Why did you go to school? Didn't I tell you to save all that money for food? What use is school for your dumb little brain?!" "You're wrong mother, the school gave me a scholarship because I got the highest marks in the school exams so you don't have to worry." "That doesn't matter! Leah, come home quickly my stomach hurts and I can't move to go to the bathroom. I'm dying!" My heart fell into my stomach and I felt myself about to explode in frustration. "D-did you do drugs and d-drink again?" "So? What is it to you? Just come home and—" "—No!" I yelled. My entire body was shaking with anger. Today was my first day in med school. It was bad enough that she couldn't support me, why did she have to do drugs?! "You can take care of your f****d up self, I hate you! I wish you just died!" I ended the call to stop myself from saying any more hurtful words but the tears appeared at the corner of my eyes, nearly blinding my sight. I wiped my face and stubbornly went to the cafeteria to buy myself a sandwich. I took a seat at an empty table but I couldn't f*****g eat. I was worried about how my mom was doing. Whenever she had drugs in her system, it was really bad. Her stomach would hurt and she found it difficult to move and use the bathroom. Sometimes, she'd be suicidal, like the one time she attempted to cut herself with a broken bottle. Without thinking any further, I fisted my sandwich and took the next cab home as I fled the school. "Mom?" I yelled as I arrived at the dusty old apartment we lived in. "Mom?" I dumped my bag on the floor in the living room and saw traces of white powder near the kitchen. "Mom?!" I rushed to the entrance of the kitchen and I saw her on the floor, groaning in pain. Her eyes were rolling backwards and her face looked a mess. "Mom…" I whispered a bit more silently, feeling choked up by the tears I was holding back. "Where have you been, you witch?" I walked over and tried to help her up but she pushed me away. "No, don't touch me you disgusting fool! Didn't you say you wished I died, then just let me be here! "Mom!" She was shaking on the floor now with spit coming from her mouth. She made weird noises and I angrily moved over and forcefully pulled her up. "Pull yourself together!" I yelled. Slam! I didn't realize what had happened til I was on the floor with my head jammed against the wall, and my cheeks burning due to my mother's slap. I didn't bother getting back up. I was livid with so many questions at once. "Y-you are the cause of all of this!" Mother pointed at me as she staggered back and forth. "If only you hadn't fallen sick back then! How could your father work extra shifts as a driver and die so suddenly?!" At times like this, she was reminiscing about the past and I knew I shouldn't blame her but her words still somehow stung. I stood up from the floor and held her, "Come on, I'll take you to the living room." I was pushed aside again causing me to sigh. "Mom, please…" "Don't go to Med school." I froze. "What?" "I said, don't go to Med school!" My eyes were beginning to feel blurred with the tears appearing at the corner of my eyes. "If you really care for me, you wouldn't leave me for a useless med school! I've learned my lesson now. Leah, I won't drink and do drugs again, I swear. Please help me recover, I don't want to do drugs again, I don't like this feeling." I attempted to hold mom this time and she didn't push me away. I led her to the bathroom and helped her do her business. Afterward, I led her to her room and put the covers over her In her bed. "I'll go get you some water," As I turned to leave, she grabbed the side of my shirt causing me to sigh and look at her. "Mom…" "Please, quit medical school for me." As I stared into the gleaming emerald green of her eyes, I knew that I would be making the biggest mistake of my life afterward. "Answer me, my dearest daughter Leah." My heart welled up as her eyes reminded me of a lonely helpless me. I hugged my mother tightly, my eyes welling up with tears as I whispered, "I promise."