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.

nurse quickly stopped her. "Miss Marshall, you need

"No, I don't!"

ran to the elevator. When its door opened, Joseph, who was

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

sounded devastated, gripping his cuff and

was going to be

bad would happen to

and slowly

her to

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

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

left in peace. She told me everything she wanted

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

her mother wouldn't make

reality was so

me to Mother, please...." She

held her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia,

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

a Black Cayenne

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

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

it until it

seen Joseph's car when she had been

each other for two

it when she asked

he take her word

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

"Rest in peace."

Mrs.

the balcony. Joseph's

must be so

to be close friends, so Kathy was worried

wasn't Joseph with her

black Cayenne and saw

grasped the railing and bit her lips

next day, Kathy waited for Reece in the classroom. They planned to

made

angry. Instead, he patiently instructed

classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from