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.

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

"No, I don't!"

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

"Joseph,

gripping his cuff

was going to be

would happen

and

took her to the

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

put out

left in peace. She told me everything she wanted

lying to me, aren't you?" Zofia's voice

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

reality was so

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

held her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I promise to look after

hooked his arms around her shoulders and left, throwing

Black Cayenne

under the girls' dormitory. Turning off

and he could

stared at it until it went out on twelve

turned in. Actually, she had seen Joseph's car when she had been hanging clothes on

each other for

hadn't meant it when she asked Joseph to go to Zofia. She

take

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

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs.

to the balcony.

be so upset right

friends, so Kathy was

Joseph with her

at the black Cayenne

railing and

Reece in

she made

he patiently instructed her, and

classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and