Connor let out a sigh. "Sophie, why don't you just head home with Bradley? It's just a bet. I can deal with winning or losing on my own. It gets lonely, sure, but Bradley can't keep getting jealous like this. Maybe we should cool it for a while."
His words hit hard, and Sophie's face fell.
Sophie snapped, "Bradley, Connor's just had some bad luck with his business, and he's only in town for a few days. I just wanted to watch a soccer game with him. Stop making a scene. I'm at my breaking point.
And that 100,000 dollars? I took it from my mom.
You always said it was a gift for her. The moment you gave it, it wasn't yours anymore.
If I'm paying anyone back, it's my mom. Get that straight."
I said, "But all my paychecks go to you..."
"You chose to do that," Sophie retorted, her face emotionless.
Then, I forced myself up and staggered back to the hospital.
By then, Julia's surgery was nearly done.
The doctor hurriedly opened the operating room door, telling me Julia wanted to see me one last time.
I scrambled to her side, tried to smile, but tears betrayed me, dripping onto the bed.
"Mom, don't worry, I'll make sure they take care of you," I whispered.
Julia weakly lifted her hand to my cheek and said, "Bradley, I know my own body. I might not last the night."
"Mom, don't talk like that. The doctors still see a chance," I insisted.
"Bradley, I wrote a will. It's in the safe of my old house. The key is in the bedside drawer," Julia informed me.
Tears streamed down my face as I listened to Julia's final wishes.
Suddenly, her hand dropped. Overwhelmed with grief, I cried out, "Mom!"
I cried a long while, then got up, wiped my tears, and muttered, "Mom, I got it."
Julia raised Sophie by herself. Other than Sophie, I was her only family.
After I had Julia cremated, I walked out of the crematorium holding her urn. That was when Sophie, who'd been hanging out with Connor for the past two days, finally decided to call.
As soon as I picked up, I could hear the annoyance in her voice. "Bradley, where's my mom? I told her not to go wandering off. Did you take her out?"
Remembering Julia's final moments twisted my heart, and I replied somberly, "She's with me."
"You'll see her soon," I added, my voice cold.
Tired of Sophie's fake concern for Julia, which came too late, I hung up.
The phone wouldn't stop ringing, so I put it on silent.