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

was on the verge of collapsing and a clueless child, my empathy was immediately triggered. Who

the back of mine, suddenly pressed down forcefully. He pulled

upset. Nobody ever said that the family of a patient must stay strong

loud but it was clear. Every single word carried strength and a

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

down

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

while, the room once again turned silent. Shirley was finally calm, but what remained

us and then apologetically lowered her

out than in," I

patted Daniel's hair softly. This tender and gentle side of her seemed to have the power to melt

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