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 her. "Miss Marshall, you need more

"No, I don't!"

to the corridor but did not know what floor this was, so she ran to the elevator. When its door

at him and pleaded, "Joseph, my

his cuff

going to be

bad would happen to

and

took her to the

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

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

left in peace. She told me everything she wanted to

you.... You're all lying to

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

was

me to Mother, please...." She

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

Bertie hooked his arms around her shoulders and left,

the evening, a Black Cayenne entered

under the girls' dormitory. Turning off the car,

on the fifth floor, and he could see

stared at it until it went out on

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

hadn't contacted each other for two

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

take her word for

Kathy had trouble sleeping. Browsing WeChat

"Rest in peace."

trembled. Mrs.

sat up and ran to the balcony. Joseph's car was

be so upset

be close friends, so

Joseph with her

at the black Cayenne and

railing and

for Reece in the classroom.

made multiple

angry. Instead, he patiently instructed her, and

noon. She picked up her phone and saw a bunch of missing calls from Jennifer, so she called