Chapter 3

It was Mum.

In the last life, after my legs were amputated, Mum cared for me day and night. She fed me, washed me, looked after me until she wore herself out.

She never had time to look after her own health. By the time we realised something was wrong, it was too late—advanced cancer.

No matter how much I cried, I couldn’t do anything but watch as Mum wasted away.

I had been a disobedient daughter, marrying and moving far away, leaving her to live alone.

She gave everything for me, always gentle, always kind.

I hesitated to answer the phone, afraid that this might all be just a dream.

When I picked up, Mum’s soft voice came through the line.

“Kate, are you at the in-laws’ now? Did everything go smoothly? Margaret didn’t give you a hard time, did she?”

Tears welled up immediately. Mum was still worried about me, always thinking of me first.

In truth, it was Mum who should have been looked after, not me. But I had been too weak to stand up for myself.

“No, Mum, everything’s fine,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Are you sure? You sound upset.”

“Mum, I had a nightmare last night. A horrible dream where you got sick and left me. I was so sad, Mum…”

I bit my arm to stop the sobs, trying to keep my voice quiet.

“Silly girl, you’re my treasure. I’d never leave you. Not for anything.”

She was right. In my last life, when no one was willing to pay for my treatment, Mum sold the house and worked herself to the bone, borrowing money to keep me alive.

“I know you love me, Mum. I’ve booked you a health check-up. I’ll come home in a couple of days and take you.”

“A health check? There’s no need for that. I’m perfectly fine. Don’t waste your money.”

“I’ve already paid. You’ll have to go, or the money will be wasted.”

Mum was always so frugal, always putting herself last.

“Well, alright then. Are you and James coming back together? I’ll make your favourite egg and onion rolls.”

“James is busy with work. Mum, I’ve got another call coming through. I’ll talk to you soon, alright?”

The doors of the operating theatre opened again, and two doctors approached.

I couldn’t let Mum know about the accident. Otherwise, she’d rush to the hospital to take care of James.

“Mrs Scott, your husband’s surgery was a success. He can be transferred to a regular ward now.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor.”

After settling James in his room, I called Margaret again.

“Mum, you need to bring £10,000 from the house and come over right away.”

“We still need £10,000 for the amputation.”

Margaret’s voice was low and grumbling.

“James has given you far more than £10,000 over the years. Hurry up and get here, Mum. We still need to pay for his surgery.”

I raised my voice.

Looking at James, pale and helpless in the hospital bed, I felt a flicker of pity.

But in the last life, he never felt pity for me.

This time, the wheel of fate had turned. It was his burden to bear now.