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.

the nurse quickly stopped her. "Miss Marshall,

"No, I don't!"

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

at him and pleaded, "Joseph,

sounded devastated, gripping his cuff and looking

going to

bad would

and

took her to the morgue

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

away, Bertie was smoking. He put out the cigarette and came

She told me

lying to

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

reality was

me to Mother, please...."

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

around her shoulders and left, throwing a

the evening, a Black Cayenne entered

dormitory. Turning off

he could see the light on the right

until it went out on twelve

in. Actually, she had seen Joseph's car when she had

contacted each other

meant it when she asked Joseph to go to Zofia. She had just been in a

take her word for

and turning, Kathy had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments, she

"Rest in peace."

Mrs. Marshall

to the balcony. Joseph's car was still

be so upset right

to be close friends, so Kathy was worried

wasn't Joseph with

the black

grasped the railing and

day, Kathy waited for Reece in the classroom. They

she made multiple

he patiently instructed her, and she

classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and