My Sweetheart

The red light on the door of the operating room was on.

Zofia was in tears snuggling up to her brother, groggy.

Being said, she still peered at the operating room.

Three hours later, the red light went out.

A different doctor came out. Zofia scooted over and gripped his hand. "Doctor..., how is my mother?"

The doctor pursed his lips and said nothing.

After a long while, Joseph walked out and said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry."

Zofia's eyes widened. Teetering, she fainted in Bertie's arms.

Bertie looked much calmer than her, but pain crept up on his eyes.

"My mother...."

"You can see her one last time," Joseph said heavily and took off his mask.

The next second, Bertie grasped Joseph's shirt, and the two tall men locked eyes with each other.

The other doctor said calmly, "Sir, please take a grip on yourself."

Bertie squinted and clenched his fists. After a while, he let go of Joseph.

Joseph said in a grave tone, "I'm sorry for your loss."

Bertie asked his assistant to drive Zofia home and went into the ward.

Mrs. Marshall's eyes were closed, and her lips frequently parted. She was having trouble speaking.

Bertie stood at her bedside, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Shuddering, he bent down and said in a tone peppered with sorrow, "Mom...."

Zofia woke up two hours later in another ward with empty eyes.

A nurse came to pull out the needle for her. She asked in panic, "Where's my mother...?"

The nurse did not know the specifics and could not answer.

bed, but the nurse quickly stopped her. "Miss Marshall,

"No, I don't!"

corridor but did not know what floor this was, so she ran to the elevator. When

at him and pleaded, "Joseph, my mother.... Take me to

gripping his cuff and looking at

mother was going

bad would happen to

frowned and slowly

took her to

gawped at Joseph, shaking her head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take me to my mother. My mother is

far away, Bertie was smoking. He put out the cigarette and came over to hug

left in peace. She told

You're all lying to me, aren't you?"

though she had known there was a 50% chance her mother wouldn't make it, she had trusted Joseph to

reality was

take me to Mother, please...."

lips and held her in his arms, whispering,

Bertie hooked his arms around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful look

Black

under the girls' dormitory. Turning off the car, he looked

could see the light on

it until it went

car

hadn't contacted each other for

meant it when she asked

he take her

had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments, she was taken aback by

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs.

ran to the balcony. Joseph's

be so upset

to be close friends, so Kathy

Joseph with

stared at the black Cayenne and

grasped the railing and

for Reece in the classroom. They

she made multiple

he patiently instructed her, and she

picked up her phone and saw a bunch of