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.

quickly stopped

"No, I don't!"

was, so she ran to the elevator. When its

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

his cuff and

was going

bad would happen

and slowly

took her to

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

He put out the cigarette and came over

left in peace. She told me everything

lying to me, aren't you?"

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

reality was so

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

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

around her shoulders and left, throwing a meaningful

the evening, a Black

car was parked under the girls' dormitory. Turning

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

it until it went out on

car when

hadn't contacted each

was still fresh. She hadn't meant it when she asked Joseph to go to Zofia.

how could he take

Kathy had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat moments, she

"Rest in peace."

Mrs.

ran to the balcony. Joseph's car was

be so upset

friends,

wasn't Joseph with her

at the black

grasped the railing and bit her

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

she made multiple

he patiently instructed her, and she finally

picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from