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

"No, I don't!"

did not know what floor this was, so she ran to the elevator. When its door opened, Joseph, who was wearing a white coat, walked

threw herself at him and pleaded, "Joseph,

sounded devastated, gripping his cuff and looking

mother was going

would

frowned and slowly

he took her to the

face turned pale as she gawped at Joseph, shaking her head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take me to my mother.

far away, Bertie was smoking. He put out the cigarette

peace. She told

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

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

reality was so

quickly take me to Mother,

lips and held her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I

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

evening, a Black Cayenne

was parked under the girls' dormitory. Turning off

was on the fifth floor, and he could see the light on the right side of the

it

Joseph's car when she

hadn't contacted each other for two

she asked Joseph to go to Zofia. She had just been in

take her word for

Kathy had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments,

"Rest in peace."

Mrs. Marshall

up and ran to the balcony.

be so upset right

to be close friends, so Kathy

Joseph with

the black Cayenne

grasped the railing and bit her

Reece in

made

he patiently instructed her, and she finally

classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from Jennifer, so she called