Ever since I became a mother, my life revolved around my daughters, Emily and Grace. I sacrificed everything—working exhausting day and night shifts—to fund Grace’s dream of becoming a doctor, after Emily chose to skip college and start working.
One day, I learned via Emily that Grace had been skipping classes for months and had been expelled, unbeknownst to me. Furious and hurt, I rushed to confront her at the pool, where Grace and friends were relaxing. Grace admitted it was all a lie—that she left university by choice—and accused Emily of manipulating me and spending the money I sent. She also revealed she’d been saving for my surgery.
Shocked and full of guilt, I realized how much I’d pushed her into a path that wasn’t hers. I apologized, embraced Grace, and finally promised to support whatever future she chooses.