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 stopped

"No, I don't!"

ran to the elevator. When its door opened,

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

gripping his cuff and looking at him

was going to

would

and slowly

he took her to the morgue

her head hard and muttering, "No..., Joseph, take me to my mother. My mother is not

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

left in peace. She told me

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

there was a 50% chance her mother wouldn't

was

to Mother, please...." She tugged her brother

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

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

Black Cayenne

the girls' dormitory. Turning off

he could see the light on the right side of the

it until it went

Joseph's car when she had been hanging

contacted each other for two

hadn't meant it when she

he take her word for

had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments, she was taken

"Rest in peace."

Mrs. Marshall passed

the balcony. Joseph's car was still

must be so

close friends, so Kathy was

wasn't Joseph with her

at the black Cayenne and saw

railing and bit her lips

for Reece in the classroom. They planned to do

she made

wasn't angry. Instead, he patiently instructed

noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing