My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

With a slam on the table, she stood up aggressively. "I'll say it even if you do not allow me to. Irvin Granger is a coward. He is not at all a man!"

All of this happened so suddenly that we couldn't help but be shocked at her burst of emotions. It seemed like it was also the first time little Daniel had witnessed his mother losing control. Hence, he could only hold onto his cutlery in a daze.

Everyone's attention was fixated on Shirley like it was a freeze-frame.

Her aggressiveness immediately dissipated as her shoulders loosened and tears began to wet her eyes. Her pupils were blood-red and her lips were pressed tightly together. This was her last defense. In the end, she eventually broke down and collapsed.

Before meeting Irvin, Shirley was a princess who was not well-versed in the affairs of the world. After knowing him, her entire world was flipped upside down. She loved him unconditionally and she lost herself in him.

It wasn't only until Irvin had fallen sick and could no longer push her away, that she realized this. She thought that she could stay by his side until the end, but he kept on insisting on dying. It was preposterous. What a complete joke! The Gods seemed to be pulling a prank on her.

Once realized that Irvin had given up on her, the last thread that was keeping her together came loose.

I was caught in this flurry of emotions without any warning. When I felt that my nose had started to flare, it was too late to control it.

said, "Mom, what is happening

and a clueless child, my empathy was immediately triggered. Who wouldn't be affected in a

hand, which was on the back of mine, suddenly pressed down forcefully. He pulled me towards

that the family of a patient must

loud but it was clear. Every single word carried

outside the private ward. Shirley was sitting on a chair, her face in her hands and she was sobbing, out of breath. Daniel was crying as well as he uneasily stood up and went to her side. His small hands caressed her back. This was the

streamed down my face

only reason why my turbulent emotions didn't persist was because he was here in control of the situation. I was even afforded the ability to

a while, the room once again turned silent. Shirley was finally calm, but what remained was her squinted, crimson eyes

at us and then apologetically lowered her head.

out than in," I

to have the power to melt away all unhappiness, which was vastly different from the woman

caring for Irvin's critically ill body and her soul had yet to recover