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!"

floor this was, so she ran to the elevator. When its door opened, Joseph, who was wearing a white

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

gripping his cuff and looking at

was going

bad would

frowned and

her to

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

smoking. He put out the cigarette and

in peace. She told

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

though she had known there was a 50% chance her mother wouldn't make

was

to Mother, please...." She

pursed his thin lips and held her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia,

arms around her shoulders

Black Cayenne entered

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

floor, and he could see

it went out on

seen Joseph's car when she

hadn't contacted each other for two

it when she asked Joseph to go to Zofia. She had just

could he take her word for

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

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs. Marshall passed

the

so upset

used to be close friends, so Kathy was worried

wasn't Joseph with her

at the black Cayenne and saw it

railing and bit her lips

in

made multiple

he patiently

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