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!"

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

and pleaded, "Joseph, my mother.... Take me to my

devastated, gripping his cuff and looking at

mother was going to

bad would happen to

frowned and

her to the morgue

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

far away, Bertie was smoking. He put out

told

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

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

was

quickly take me to Mother, please...." She tugged

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

arms around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful

a Black

under the girls' dormitory. Turning off the car,

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

it

had seen Joseph's car when

hadn't contacted each other

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

could he take her

had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments,

"Rest in peace."

Mrs.

and ran to the balcony. Joseph's car was

so upset right

to be close friends, so Kathy

wasn't Joseph with her

the black Cayenne and

grasped the railing and bit her lips

in the classroom. They

made

angry. Instead, he patiently

up her phone and saw