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!"

did not know what floor this was, so she ran to the elevator.

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

devastated, gripping his cuff and looking at

going to

would happen

and slowly

her to the morgue

head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take me to

out the cigarette and

told me everything she wanted to

you.... You're all lying to me,

chance her mother wouldn't make it, she had trusted Joseph to

was so

take me to Mother, please...."

his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I promise to look

around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful look

a Black Cayenne entered

the girls' dormitory. Turning

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

it went

Joseph's car when she

hadn't contacted each other for two

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

he take her word

WeChat moments, she was taken aback by

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs. Marshall passed

ran to the balcony. Joseph's car was

be so

close friends, so Kathy was

wasn't Joseph with her

stared at the black Cayenne

and bit her

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

she made multiple

he patiently instructed her, and

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