Sarah woke up very early to visit the orphanage at the cathedral as usual.
She lived in the sisters' quarters nearby, so it didn't take long for her to get there.
The moment she stepped inside a group of children ran toward her.
"Sister Sarah!"
They clung to her, calling her name excitedly making Sarah smile warmly.
She was the children's favorite. They loved her deeply because of her kind and caring nature. To them, she wasn't just someone who helped... She was family.
And Sarah treated them the same way. Like they were her own children. She had once been one of them.
Sarah grew up in this very orphanage. When she was five, her mother became crippled after an accident. With no family to rely on and her father already dead before she was born, the cathedral took them in and cared for them.
Sarah never forgot that kindness.
That was why she stayed. That why she devoted her life to the orphanage… and the cathedral.
"Aunt Sarah!"
A small, cute voice called out.
Sarah turned and smiled.
"Celeste, how are you?"
She bent down and lifted the little girl into her arms, gently touching her cheek.
"Aunt Sarah… I had a bad dream," Celeste said, pouting.
Sarah's expression changed immediately, concern filling her eyes.
"What kind of dream?"
"A very bad one…" Celeste said softly. "I dreamt that you were leaving us… a very bad man would come here and take you away forever."
Her face scrunched up as if she was about to cry.
Sarah almost laughed, but seeing how serious she looked, she held it back.
"That's not going to happen, Celeste," she said gently. "I'm here with you. I'll stay until you grow up and go to college."
"But I don't want to go to college," Celeste said, holding onto Sarah's veil. "I want to stay with you forever."
Sarah chuckled softly.
"If you don't go to college, Aunt Sarah won't talk to you again."
Celeste gasped and quickly looked up.
"Then I'll go to college!"
Sarah laughed and gently placed her back down.
She gathered all the children together and bent to their level.
"Do you all remember what I taught you to say to our guests today?"
The children nodded eagerly.
"Good day, uncles! Good day, aunties! We're blessed to have you here. May your kindness bring you something great!"
They said it together in unison.
Then they followed it with a small dance and song Sarah had taught them.
Sarah clapped happily, her eyes full of pride.
She truly loved them.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the orphanage
A man dressed in papal attire stood watching, his hands behind his back.
He observed everything quietly. Then he began to clap.
The sound drew everyone's attention.
Sarah turned.
"Miss Sarah."
The man walked toward them, still clapping.