That day, Leah and Adele were tasked with distributing bread. With a cart piled high, they went door-to-door, delivering it to each household. It was a physically demanding job, requiring constant effort and movement. 

“Why don’t we just have everyone line up and hand it out that way?”

Adele complained, frustrated by the hassle of visiting every home. 

“If we did that, some people might come back for seconds, and others—like children who get pushed to the back—might not get anything. Even though it’s harder, going door-to-door ensures everyone gets their fair share according to the size of their family.”

“Hmm, you’re probably right.”

Adele admitted with a sigh. 

As they pushed the cart through the worn alleys, they knocked on doors and children in ragged, dirty clothes and bare feet came out. Their faces lit up with joy as they received the bread. 

There were women who seemed barely alive and older men who were missing limbs. 

Leah had always believed that her life was full of misfortune. She had lost her mother at a young age, been separated from her brother and endured countless hardships while living under her uncle’s roof. She had always felt that her life was unbearably difficult. 

But when she looked at the children in the slums, she realised that her struggles were nothing compared to theirs. 

After all, she hadn’t grown up in a place like this and had never experienced prolonged hunger. 

“Thank you…” 

A small girl, clutching the bread tightly in both hands, bowed her head in gratitude. 

Leah knelt before the child, her heart aching at the sight. 

“How old are you?”

Lea asked gently. 

“Six years old…”

The girl replied, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“And your parents?” 

The girl was the only one who had come out to receive the bread. Behind her, the dark, gloomy interior of the house looked unbearably cold and lifeless. 

Standing barefoot in the doorway of the freezing, unheated house, the child’s small feet were exposed to the harsh conditions. 

“My father is gone and my mother is sick…”

“Do you have an older brother or sister?” 

The girl shook her head, her eyes downcast. 

“What’s wrong with your mom?”

“I don’t know… She keeps coughing, and sometimes there’s blood.”

The girl replied, her small voice filled with worry. 

“Would it be alright if I came inside?”

Lea asked, unable to hide her concern. 

When Leah heard about the coughing and blood, she felt a deep sense of unease. If the girl’s mother didn’t recover, the child would be orphaned – a fate Leah feared. 

Leah knew only too well the grim reality of orphanages. Her uncle had once threatened to send her to one if she misbehaved, and had even taken her there to frighten her. The memory of that place, filthy and cold, remained vivid in her mind. She couldn’t imagine surviving a single day in such conditions. 

More than anything, Leah’s own experience of losing her mother at a young age made the child’s plight painfully personal. 

“Leah, we still have a lot of houses to visit.”

Adele reminded her, interrupting her train of thought. 

“Could you get on with distributing the bread? I need to see this girl’s mother.”

“What for? There are so many like her. You can’t help them all and you’re not even a doctor.”

Adele replied with a hint of frustration. 

“Someone has to help, right?” 

“Fine. Just don’t take too long.”

Adele grumbled before walking away, leaving Leah with the girl. 

Leah followed the child into the house. 

“It’s freezing in here…”

The cold inside was even worse than outside and the house lacked any semblance of warmth. The unkempt interior suggested it hadn’t been cleaned in ages, and the air was heavy with neglect. 

In a dim, filthy corner, a woman lay on a small bed, coughing violently. 

Leah approached and what she saw shocked her. 

The bed was stained with blood, and the woman’s pale complexion made her look as if she might die at any moment. Her body trembled weakly as she writhed in pain, every breath a struggle. 

‘At this rate, she’s really going to die… I must call a doctor.’ 

But calling a doctor would cost money – money Leah didn’t have. 

When she took her vows and entered the convent, she had given up all her personal possessions. The convent provided her with clothing and basic necessities, so she had never considered the need for money. 

‘What am I going to do? I have nothing…’ 

Just then, a familiar voice broke through her desperate thoughts. 

“What’s going on?” 

“Brother.”

Leah said as she turned to see Zion entering the house. 

“I think we need to call a doctor, but I don’t have any money…” 

“Let me see.”

Zion said calmly and stepped forward. 

He approached the dying woman on the bed and began to examine her closely. 

“She appears to be severely malnourished and suffering from advanced tuberculosis.”

“How did you know that?”

Lea asked in surprise. 

“After I joined the monastery and was ordained, I studied medicine with the support of the monastery.”

“I see… So what are we going to do?”

Leah asked with concern in her voice. 

“First, she needs something nutritious to eat. In her current state, she can probably only handle soup. We should prepare something soft and nutritious. Then she’ll need medicine to bring down her fever and ease her cough. Tuberculosis requires strong medication and a proper diet, and treatment takes a long time. But given their situation, it doesn’t look like they’ll be able to afford it. 

“What can we do?”

“We can put them in touch with a sponsor.”

“A sponsor?” 

“The convent uses donations from benefactors to help those in need. This woman and her child could qualify for sponsorship.” 

“Do you think the convent will agree?” 

“I’m on the sponsorship committee.”

Zion said with determination.

“I will do everything I can to make it happen.” 

“Thank you, brother…”

As in their childhood, Zion remained a reliable and reassuring presence. Even after all these years, that part of him hadn’t changed. 

“For now, use this to call a doctor and buy some nutritious food.”

Zion said, removing the chain from around his neck and handing it to her. 

“I want to help until the end, but I can’t be away from my duties for too long. Can you do this for me?” 

“Yes, brother.”

Leah replied, her voice full of determination. 

“There is a pawnshop at the end of the alley,” Zion continued. “If you take this necklace there, you should be able to get enough money.” 

“But brother, this necklace…”

Lea hesitated, looking at the intricate pendant. 

“We’re saving a life. What’s there to regret?” 

Zion’s words stirred something deep inside her. 

‘My brother has truly become a noble priest…’

She thought, her heart swelling with admiration. 

As Zion turned and headed for the door, Leah clutched the necklace tightly in her hand, her heart beating with determination. His retreating figure seemed to be surrounded by a radiant glow.