Maria only wanted one thing in life, a normal world with her parents. She made sure to get them the life they needed. She almost succeeded in getting that when she got admission to one of the top university in her town. But her life turned upside down by the bad boy Mike who she hit on the mall.
It was a chilly November night.
Like every other night, I woke up from the deadly noise of my dad coughing from the other room. I jumped from my bed. My bed can hardly be called a bed. It was in a terrible condition that could nearly hold me. My family was poor with hardly enough to fill up our stomachs. Our house was in a terrible condition that a minor storm was enough to eradicate it. If only I could find a job, I may be able to help my parents.
I was the only child of my parents. They were cobblers who work day and night to feed me and provide me with proper education. During some days they earn only a little that they even forget to fill their stomach. Dad used to earn very well a few years ago, but now he couldn't earn so much because of his poor health. He loved designing and making shoes for everyone. He always made me many lovely shoes when I was little. Little pink princess shoes, blue glitter ones, and red boots. But fate ruined us.
All my life I watched their miserable state. I never complained about my life, even to God, because I don't want to blame anyone.
My dad had health issues. He could not work for more hours because of his condition, so I used to help him whenever I get time from my studies. All our savings went to his medicines.
"Maria, fetch the water from the kitchen." My mother ordered.
I rushed to the kitchen and poured some water for my father.
I ran back to his room and gave the water to him. He was shaking from the cold. My mom helped him.
She was trying hard to control her tears. I rubbed the back of my dad so that he can control his breath. I know he was trying so hard.
Our little earning was not enough to buy him medicines. The doctor said that he needs better medication to get his health back, which reminds me I need to work harder besides my studies so that I may help him. I will be 18 next month. The first thing I needed to do is to find a part-time job that won't be a disturbance to my studies. I made a promise to my parents that whatever hardship I was facing I won't go back from my studies.
I looked to the ceiling and sighed " We need to find a new house. A small one will be better. That is the first thing on my bucket list."
I went to check on my parents.
"Oh, they fell asleep. I need to get back to my room. I am feeling tired." I took the old woolen blanket from the cupboard and covered their bodies.
I went back to my room. Hundreds of thoughts came to my mind, but I rolled on my bed to get better sleep.
The next day I got up from my bed early in the morning feeling half sleepy and tired. I went to the bathroom. After freshening myself, I went back to my room and put on my blue blouse and knee-length black skirt. I tied my hair in a messy bun and went to the kitchen to cook something.
I checked on my parents before going to the kitchen. They were sleeping soundly. So I went back to the kitchen to cook something for my parents. I made pancakes and coffee for my parents. I served everything on the table and went to call my parents for eating. Then I rushed to my room to get ready to go to my class. After I got myself ready, I went to eat breakfast with my parent.
I washed the utensils and cleaned the kitchen. After waving goodbye to my parents, I rushed to the bus stop. Yes, I needed to catch that stupid bus before it was too late.
My school was situated a few kilometers away from my home. My school was like a second home to me. The only place I enjoyed. The heaven on earth and the teachers there were really friendly, especially my language teacher Miss. Rachel Sunny. She was like a second mother to me, who always helped me during critical conditions.
My closest friend was Nancy. She was a sweet young, bubbly girl who was so close to me. She had been my best friend since we were six.
"Hey, Maria. Good morning. " Nancy rushed and hugged me as soon as I entered the classroom.
"Oh look at you glowing early in the morning. I am jealous " she made a face that looked so funny to me.
"Look at you cracking jokes early in the morning. I am jealous of how you are so enchanting and energetic early in the morning, " I copied her face.
"I wasn't joking. So are becoming beautiful day by day. You need to tell me your secret. " She said.
"So how is my bestie doing, " She added.
"Nothing new, dear. It's the same, sleepless nights and nightmares that won't give me peace to my life and mind, " I replied to her.
" I am so sorry, dear. I almost forget about your parents, " She added.
"It's okay Nancy "I smiled.
" Everything is going to be fine one day "She smiled and hugged me.
" All you have to do is get to that college miss Rachel told you about Maria " she added.
I smiled at her.
That night I dreamed about the fairy tale life that I always wished I had. In my dream, I saw a boy. He was handsome, tall. and well build. I saw him coming towards me. His feathery lips touched mine. His warm hands hugged me. I shivered from his touch.
But the stupid alarm woke me up. I tried to remember his face. But it was all blurred. I cursed the alarm clock. I never had a boyfriend before. I always wished I had one. So he comforts me from all these troubles I had in my life. I was interested in boys who were friendly and not cold ones.
"Ouch "
A loud thud along with an electric spark traveled my body.
"Shit" I cursed.
Looks like my little toe gave a warm kiss to the wooden leg of my bed. Seems like my boyfriend will be one hell of a guy. Even my toes can't stop thinking about him.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
The night before her engagement, Valerie was tricked by her boyfriend and stepsister into spending the night with a stranger. After the night together, the man vanished. Later, her boyfriend accused her of cheating, revealing his affair with her stepsister. Pressured by her father, Valerie married an unconscious man in place of her stepsister. Valerie exposed the scheme, sabotaged her father's ambitions, and transformed herself. When her husband woke and chased her to the airport, she calmly refused him, saying, "It's over between us." He held her firmly. "You married me, so you must commit."