"Bishop Raphael!"
Sarah quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
The children followed her lead and bowed as well.
Bishop Raphael was a 56-year-old man and the bishop of Saint Celestine Cathedral.
"What brings you here, Bishop?" Sarah asked, surprised. He rarely visited the orphanage.
"I knew you would be here," he replied calmly. "So I decided to come myself."
He looked around, nodding slightly.
"I truly appreciate the good work you've been doing for the cathedral."
Sarah smiled softly, lowering her gaze.
"Can we have a word outside?" he asked.
"Of course."
They stepped out of the orphanage and began walking slowly around the cathedral grounds.
Bishop Raphael walked with his hands behind his back, while Sarah followed beside him, her hands gently folded in front of her.
"I still remember the first time you were brought here," he said. "When we baptized you… you cried to go back into the water because you thought it was fun."
Sarah laughed softly, remembering it.
Some of the nuns still teased her about that moment.
"And now look at you," he continued. "All grown up… working tirelessly for this cathedral."
He glanced at her.
"You didn't go to the school today?"
"Ah… yes," Sarah replied. "I already informed the principal I wouldn't be coming because of the charity event."
"I knew it," Bishop Raphael sighed. "I knew you would choose this over everything else."
He stopped walking and turned to face her.
"Sarah, I only agreed to let you work at that school because you begged me. You said you wanted to help with the cathedral's financial situation… and I know you're doing it for the children."
His voice softened, but there was concern in his eyes.
"But how much more are you going to sacrifice for them?"
Sarah stayed silent.
"You've already given your whole life to this place," he continued. "That job was meant to give you a taste of a normal life."
He paused.
"I also heard you're planning to become a full nun next month."
Sarah's expression shifted slightly.
"This… is not what your mother would have wanted."
At the mention of her mother, her face dropped.
She had heard these words many times before.
She didn't understand why he kept saying it.
Sometimes, she even felt he was committing a sin by discouraging her.
But she respected him.
He had always been like a father to her.
"Bishop Raphael," she said gently, "please think of it this way… it's like I'm taking care of my own children."
She looked up at him.
"I love them. And I'm willing to do anything for them."
She paused before continuing.
"And… I've decided to postpone becoming a full nun for now. I need to earn more money to support the orphanage."
Bishop Raphael sighed deeply.
He already knew it she wouldn't change her mind.
"When was the last time you visited your mother?" he asked.
"I think… last week," Sarah replied quietly.
"Be sure to visit your mom well, I'm sure she misses you"
Bishop Raphael patted Sarah shoulder in a fatherly manner then turned back and walked away.