Chapter 007

20 YEARS AG0...

~MARIO~

It was a normal day. I was 16 and coming back from school when I heard wails from the living room at home.

I halted in my tracks and listened intently in case the wails were not emanating from home.

My heart almost leaped out of my throat when I realized that it was my mother crying.

Francesca was still at school, and my father was not yet back from work. My mother was all alone.

I ran to the door, barged inside the living room, and found her on the carpet floor, her legs spread open.

"Please bring me water and scissors, Mario," her voice came out as a whisper.

She appeared exhausted and was perspiring heavily. It pained me to witness my mother in such a condition.

I deeply wished for a way to alleviate her suffering instantly.

After seeing her in such distress, I dashed to the kitchen to fetch a bucket of water and some scissors.

She was about to bring a new life into the world, all on her own. Day in and day out, I witnessed her battle through the p