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.

staggered out of bed, but the nurse quickly stopped her. "Miss Marshall,

"No, I don't!"

what floor this was, so she ran to the

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

sounded devastated, gripping his cuff

was going to

bad would

and slowly

he took her to the

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

Bertie was smoking. He put out the cigarette and came over to hug

left in peace. She told

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

50% chance her mother wouldn't

was

to Mother, please...." She

held her in his arms, whispering, "Zofia, I

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

the evening, a Black Cayenne entered

girls' dormitory. Turning off the car, he

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

it

Joseph's car when

contacted each

their fight was still fresh. She hadn't meant it when she asked Joseph to go to Zofia. She had just been in

how could he take her word

sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments, she

"Rest in peace."

Mrs.

the balcony. Joseph's car was still

must be so upset

used to be close friends, so Kathy was

wasn't Joseph with

black

railing and bit her

for Reece in the classroom.

made multiple

patiently instructed her, and she finally

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