As James reached his modest apartment building, he stood outside the familiar door, his heart full of emotions.
With a deep breath, he knocked on the wooden door. From inside, his mother's soft voice called out, "Coming!"
The door opened, revealing his mother's kind but weary face. The moment she saw James, her eyes lit up with warmth and relief. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a tight hug.
"James! My boy!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've missed you so much!"
James hugged her back, his small arms wrapping around her frame. "I'm back, Mom. And I have good news."
She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on his shoulders, her eyes scanning his face for hints. "Good news? Tell me everything!"
James smiled brightly. "I did it, Mom. I passed the academy entrance exam. Not just passed—I came first!"
For a moment, his mother stood in stunned silence, her lips trembling. Then tears began streaming down her cheeks as she cupped his face in her hands.
"James... you came first? My son is the top student in the academy?"
He nodded, his grin widening. "Yes, Mom. I even got a dragon bone wand as a reward. Everyone was talking about it. They said it's worth a hundred thousand pesos!"
His mother covered her mouth with her hand, overwhelmed by the news. She pulled him into another hug, sobbing softly. "Oh, James... I'm so proud of you. You've made me the happiest mother in the world."
James, feeling the weight of her emotions, hugged her tightly. "Mom, I couldn't have done it without you. You've always been there for me, no matter what."
She pulled back, wiping her tears with the edge of her sleeve. "These past six years, James... they've been so hard. Watching you grow up,
seeing you shut yourself off from the world—it broke my heart. I kept telling myself you'd be okay, but there were days I didn't know if I could hold on."
James's eyes softened, guilt washing over him. "I know, Mom. I wasn't the best son. I know people said horrible things to you because of me.
But you never gave up on me. And now, I'm going to make it all worth it. I'll make you proud every single day."
She smiled through her tears, stroking his hair. "You already have, James. The day you were born, you made me proud. But to see you like this... happy, confident, achieving your dreams—it's all I ever wanted."
she was tortured mentally, everyday people would tell her to get rid of the plague.
'just get rid of him,why not just get laid like you always do, make another one of the street.'
she was barely 18 at the time of his birth, his father left her be, she survived being the mother she is,
abonded lady they called her.
both wiped their tears,
James took her hand in his. "There's more, Mom. After the ceremony, this guy named Lucas—he's the second rank—he offered me five hundred thousand pesos for my wand."
His mother gasped, her eyes widening. "Five hundred thousand pesos? For the wand?"
He nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. And when I refused, he doubled the offer—to a million pesos."
She looked at him, utterly astonished. "A million pesos? James, that's... that's a fortune! What did you say?"
"I told him no," James said firmly. "I couldn't sell it, Mom. That wand isn't just a prize. It's a symbol of everything we've been through. It's proof that we didn't give up."
Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she shook her head in disbelief. "My brave, wonderful boy. You're so much stronger than I ever was."
"No, Mom," James said softly. "You're the strongest person I know. You endured everything for me. People mocked you, told you horrible things... but you never gave up. You believed in me when no one else did. And now, it's my turn to take care of you. I'll make you the happiest woman alive—happier than my wife, even."
She laughed through her tears, a sound filled with joy and relief. "Oh, James, don't say that.
Your wife will be lucky to have a man like you. But thank you, my son. Thank you for being you."
As James and his mother stepped into their modest apartment, both couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Their neighbors had given them curious looks as they passed by—half envious, half intrigued.
James was already becoming a name on everyone's lips, and his mother's pride in her son only made her stand taller despite her usually reserved demeanor.
Inside, the apartment was small but cozy, filled with the warmth of home and the love they shared.
James noticed the tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen. His mother, ever resourceful and determined, had prepared a feast to celebrate his achievement.
On the table was a steaming plate of rabbit meat, surrounded by side dishes she had carefully crafted: roasted vegetables, seasoned rice, and a tangy soup that she only made on special occasions.
Alongside these were sweets she had bought from the local bakery—a rare indulgence.
James's heart swelled as he sat at the table. He knew how much effort had gone into this meal.
For years, they had lived a life of frugality, spending no more than five pesos per meal.
His mother's job, which paid 700 pesos a month, barely covered their basic needs.
Utilities cost them 150 pesos, leaving little room for luxuries. Meals like this were reserved for birthdays or rare celebrations.
"Mom," James said, his voice soft but full of emotion, "you didn't have to do all this."
His mother smiled as she set down the final dish, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Of course I did, James. This is your day. Our day. We've come so far, and you've made me so proud. You deserve this and so much more."
James looked at the spread before him. It wasn't extravagant by any means—worth just 30 pesos, a modest sum by most standards.
But he knew the weight of that amount. It represented nearly 15 hours of his mother's hard work, a sacrifice she gladly made to show her love and pride.
As they began to eat, James couldn't help but think about the offer Lucas had made him earlier in the day—500,000 pesos, then 1,000,000 pesos, for his dragon bone wand. It was an unfathomable amount of money, enough to change their lives in an instant.
The thought of what that money could mean for his mother, how it could ease her burdens and give her the comfort she deserved, crossed his mind again.
But then, he looked at her—smiling as she urged him to eat more, her eyes shining with joy and relief.
She had endured so much for him. Society had shunned them, mocked them, and yet she had never wavered. Her love was steadfast, her sacrifices countless.
No amount of money could replace the pride and joy he felt holding that wand. It wasn't just a prize; it was a symbol of their journey, their perseverance, and their love for each other.
"Mom," James said after a while, setting down his fork. "I'm happy I didn't sell the wand."
His mother looked at him, her expression softening. "You didn't?"
He shook his head. "It's worth a lot of money, but... it's not about that. It's about us, about everything we've been through to get here. I want to keep it as a reminder of what we've achieved together."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she reached out to hold his hand. "You're a good boy, James. A better son than I could have ever dreamed of."
They finished their meal in peaceful silence, savoring every bite and every moment. To anyone else, it was just a simple dinner worth a few pesos.
But to James and his mother, it was a meal worth a million pesos