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

"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 wearing a white coat, walked

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

sounded devastated, gripping his cuff and looking at him

was going to

would happen

frowned and

he took her

Joseph, shaking her head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take

out the cigarette

She told me everything she

you.... You're all lying

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

reality was

Mother, please...." She tugged

her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I

louder. Bertie hooked his arms around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful

a Black Cayenne

car was parked under the girls' dormitory. Turning

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

it

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

each

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

take

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

"Rest in peace."

Mrs. Marshall passed

to the

must be so upset right

friends, so Kathy was

wasn't Joseph with

the black Cayenne and saw it

grasped the railing and

in the classroom.

she made

he patiently instructed

left the classroom at noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from Jennifer, so