The door slowly opened.
The man standing on the other side of the door was Stephen. There was a deep look of fatigue in his eyes, a long-suppressed sadness on his face, but even in that sadness there was a strange calmness.
As if he had somehow held his own despite the many storms. Father Michael said politely, “Are you Mr. Stephen? I am Father Michael… and this is Emily.”
Stephen's gaze slowly moved towards Emily. The moment suddenly stopped as if time had forgotten its course. Surprise, pain, and an unknown deep emotion flashed in his eyes.
His lips trembled. He whispered vaguely, “Sophia…”
Because in Emily’s face he seemed to see the shadow of his beloved Sophia.
Emily stepped forward. Her throat trembled, tears welling up in her eyes. She said in a trembling voice, “I… owe you. I
