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

"No, I don't!"

she ran to the elevator. When its door opened, Joseph,

him and pleaded, "Joseph,

his cuff and looking at him

going

bad would

frowned and slowly

took her

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

was smoking. He put out the

left in peace. She told me everything she wanted to

I don't believe you.... You're all lying to

known there was a 50% chance her mother wouldn't make it, she

reality was

to Mother, please...." She tugged her

in his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I

her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful

the evening, a Black Cayenne entered

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

the fifth floor, and he could see the light on

it until it went out on twelve

Joseph's car when she had been hanging clothes

hadn't contacted each other for

hadn't meant it when she asked Joseph to go to

could he take

turning, Kathy had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments,

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs. Marshall passed

ran to the balcony. Joseph's car was still

so upset

close friends,

Joseph with her

at the black Cayenne and saw it

grasped the railing and bit her

day, Kathy waited for Reece in the classroom. They

made multiple

patiently

left the classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing