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.

quickly stopped her.

"No, I don't!"

the corridor but did not know what floor this was, so she ran to the elevator. When its door opened, Joseph, who was

herself at him and pleaded, "Joseph, my mother.... Take

gripping his cuff and looking at

mother was going to

would happen

frowned and

he took her to the

she gawped at Joseph, shaking her head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take me

He put out the cigarette

told me everything

I don't believe you.... You're all lying to me, aren't you?" Zofia's

though she had known there was a 50% chance her mother wouldn't

was so

quickly take me to Mother, please...." She

her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia,

sobbed louder. Bertie hooked his arms around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful look at

evening, a Black Cayenne entered

was parked under the girls' dormitory. Turning off the car,

and he could

at it until it went

car when she had been hanging

contacted each other for

when she

take her word for

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

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs.

and ran to the

so upset right

be close friends, so

Joseph with her

stared at the black Cayenne and

the railing and

Reece in the classroom. They planned to do

made multiple

Instead, he patiently instructed her,

picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from