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Chapter 7

The diocesan investigation began at exactly nine in the morning.

Therese sat quietly before the three-member committee, her hands resting on her lap. A large wooden table separated her from the

officials, whose faces remained solemn as they examined the documents stacked before them.

The room was quiet enough for her to hear the turning of every page.

The chairman finally looked up.

"Sister Therese Marshal, this investigation concerns the alleged shortage in the tithe remittances delivered to the diocese."

Therese nodded.

"Yes, Your Reverence."

He opened a folder.

"According to the records submitted to this office, there is a discrepancy between the amount of tithes collected and the

amount received by the diocese."

Therese listened carefully.

She had never heard of such a discrepancy before.

"I understand."

Another official spoke.

"You were the person responsible for delivering the tithe remittances to the diocese?"

"Yes."

"Then you personally handled the money."

Therese immediately shook her head.

"I delivered the money, but I did not count it."

The official paused.

"Explain."

Therese remained composed.

"The church treasurer is responsible for collecting and counting the tithes. She records the amount and prepares the

remittance. Once everything is ready, it is turned over to me. My responsibility is to deliver it to the diocese."

The chairman glanced at the documents.

"So you do not know the exact amount collected?"

"Not unless the treasurer tells me."

"And you do not personally verify the amount before delivering it?"

Therese hesitated.

"No. The treasurer is entrusted with that responsibility."

The chairman leaned back in his chair.

"Yet your name appears in the records as the person who delivered the remittances."

"Yes."

"Then you understand why the discrepancy has become a matter of concern."

Therese nodded.

"I understand the concern. But I cannot explain a discrepancy I was unaware of."

One of the committee members slid a document across the table.

"Look at this."

Therese picked it up.

Her eyes moved over the figures.

"This is the amount recorded as collected," the official said. "And this is the amount recorded as received by the diocese."

Therese studied the two numbers.

They were different.

Her forehead creased.

"I have never seen this record before."

"But you delivered the remittance."

"Yes."

"Then how can you say you know nothing about the difference?"

Therese looked up.

"Because I delivered what was given to me."

Her voice remained respectful, but there was firmness in it.

"I did not take the money from the collection boxes. I did not count it. I did not prepare the records. I simply delivered the

remittance entrusted to me."

The officials became silent.

Therese could feel their eyes on her.

The chairman slowly closed the folder.

"Sister Therese, the complaint submitted to this office alleges that the shortage was not accidental."

Her expression changed.

"Not accidental?"

"The complaint suggests that the missing amount may have been deliberately withheld."

Therese stared at him.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she shook her head.

"I would never do that."

"We are aware of your years of service."

"Then you should also know that I would never steal from the Church."

Her voice trembled slightly.

She quickly composed herself.

"I have nothing to hide."

The chairman looked at her for a long moment.

"Then you will have no objection to the committee examining the treasurer's records and questioning her regarding the

collections."

"None at all."

Therese placed the document back on the table.

"Please investigate everything."

She looked directly at the committee.

"Because I want to know where the discrepancy came from as much as you do."

For the first time, the officials seemed to recognize something in her expression.

She was not behaving like someone trying to escape an accusation.

The chairman was about to continue the questioning when the door opened.

A man in a plain work uniform stepped into the room.

He looked nervous. His hands trembled slightly as he stood near the doorway.

The chairman looked up from the documents before him.

"State your name and position."

"Armand, Reverend. I am a cleaner at Safe Haven Elderly Care Facility."

The chairman motioned toward the empty chair.

"Sit down, Armand."

Armand slowly took his seat.

Therese recognized him immediately.

He had worked at Safe Haven for years.

The chairman opened another folder.

"You were called here because you allegedly witnessed something involving Sister Therese. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Reverend."

"Tell us what you saw."

Armand swallowed hard.

"One afternoon, I saw Sister Therese walking hurriedly toward her office."

Therese listened carefully.

"She was carrying a pouch."

Therese's eyes immediately widened.

"A pouch?"

Armand nodded.

"Yes, Sister."

Therese suddenly stood.

"That's a lie!"

The chairman's expression immediately hardened.

"Sister Therese."

She looked at him.

"Yes, Reverend, I carried a pouch, but it did not contain money!"

The chairman raised his hand.

"Please sit down and allow the witness to finish."

Therese reluctantly sat.

Her eyes remained fixed on Armand.

The chairman turned toward him.

"Continue."

Armand took a deep breath.

"Later that day, I was cleaning near Sister Therese's office. There was a small gap in the window, Reverend. I could see

through it."

The chairman nodded.

"And what did you see?"

Armand looked at Therese before answering.

"I saw Sister Therese counting money."

Therese's face immediately lost its color.

"No."

The chairman turned toward her.

"Sister Therese, you will have your opportunity to respond. Please remain silent for now."

Therese clenched her hands together.

Armand continued.

"She was sitting behind her desk. The pouch was on the table. I saw her take something from it."

"What did you see?"

"Coins and bills, Reverend."

One of the investigators leaned forward.

"You are certain?"

"Yes, Reverend."

Armand nodded firmly.

"I have worked at Safe Haven for years. I clean her office regularly. I have never seen her counting coins and bills before."

Therese shook her head.

"Reverend, I wasn't counting money."

The chairman looked at her sternly.

"You will speak when I ask you to."

Therese lowered her eyes.

The chairman returned his attention to Armand.

"Did you see how much money she was counting?"

"No, Reverend."

"Did you see where the money came from?"

"No, Reverend."

"Did you see her take money belonging to the diocese?"

Armand lowered his eyes.

"No, Reverend. I cannot say that for certain."

Therese finally spoke.

"Because it wasn't."

The chairman turned toward her.

"You will have your opportunity to explain."

Therese nodded.

Armand, however, spoke again.

"But Reverend, I am certain about one thing."

The chairman looked at him.

"What is that?"

Armand glanced at Therese.

"That pouch belonged to the convent."

Therese's expression hardened.

"I never said it was mine."

Armand looked confused.

The chairman noticed the exchange.

"Then let us establish the facts carefully."

He turned toward Therese.

"You admit that you were carrying a pouch bearing the convent seal?"

"Yes, Reverend."

"And you admit that you brought it into your office?"

"Yes."

"And you deny that it contained tithe money?"

"Absolutely."

The chairman nodded slowly.

"Then the committee will need to know exactly what was inside that pouch."

The chairman remained silent for a moment, studying Therese.

Then he folded his hands on the table.

"Sister Therese, you have stated that the pouch did not contain money."

"Yes, Reverend."

"Do you have any evidence to support that statement?"

Therese stared at him.

"Evidence?"

"Yes. A document, a record, or perhaps someone who can testify that the contents of that pouch were not money."

Therese's lips parted, but no answer came.

She thought quickly.

There had been no reason for her to ask anyone to witness what she had placed inside the pouch.

She had never imagined that an ordinary moment in her office would someday become evidence in a diocesan investigation.

The chairman continued.

"Do you have a witness?"

Therese slowly shook her head.

"No, Reverend."

"Anyone who saw what was inside the pouch?"

Another silence.

The chairman slowly closed the folder.

For several seconds, the room remained silent.

Then he removed his glasses and placed them on the table.

"Sister Therese, the committee has heard your statement and the testimony presented today."

Therese sat quietly, waiting.

"The investigation is still ongoing. No final judgment has been made regarding your alleged involvement in the missing tithe

remittances."

Therese nodded.

"I understand, Reverend."

The chairman took a breath.

"However, given the nature of the complaint and the fact that your name has been directly connected to the matter, the

committee has decided to temporarily relieve you of your official duties within the convent and the Church."

Therese's eyes widened.

"Relieve me?"

"Yes."

His voice remained firm.

"Effective immediately, you are to refrain from performing any administrative or financial responsibilities on behalf of the convent or the Church until the investigation has been concluded."

Therese stared at him.

"Does that mean I am forbidden from returning to the convent?"

"No. You may remain within the religious community. But you are temporarily suspended from your official

responsibilities."

Therese lowered her eyes.

The words still hurt.

After years of service, she was suddenly being treated as though her position itself had become a liability.

Then she remembered Safe Haven.

She looked up.

"What about Safe Haven?"

The chairman paused.

"Safe Haven is not owned by the diocese, Sister Therese."

Therese waited.

"It is your personal institution. Therefore, this committee has no authority to remove you from your responsibilities there."

A small breath escaped her.

It was the first relief she had felt since entering the room.

"So I may continue running Safe Haven?"

"Yes."

The chairman nodded.

"As its owner and administrator, you may continue your work there. Our decision concerns only your official duties within

the Church and the convent."

Therese nodded slowly.

"Thank you, Reverend."

But her relief was short-lived.

The chairman continued.

"However, while the investigation is ongoing, you are not to handle or administer any Church funds."

"I understand."

"And if any additional information is requested from you, you are expected to cooperate fully."

"Of course, Reverend."

Therese stood.

She looked toward the committee.

"I want to make one thing clear."

The chairman raised his eyes.

"I did not take the tithes."

Her voice was quiet but firm. Then she slowly walked out.

The moment the door closed behind her, she lowered her head.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand.

Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out as she tried to steady herself.

For several seconds, she simply stood there.

Where would she go now?

===============================

Therese stood at the entrance of Safe Haven, watching the familiar faces gathered around her.

The elderly residents had grown accustomed to seeing her every morning—moving from one room to another, checking on their meals, listening to their stories, and making sure everything was in order.

Today, however, she had come to say goodbye.

Only for a few days.

She forced a gentle smile.

"I'll be away for a little while."

One of the residents looked at her with concern.

"Are you going somewhere far, Sister Therese?"

Therese shook her head.

"Not far. I just need a little time to breathe."

She looked around the facility.

The garden.

The familiar walls.

The small chapel.

The rooms she had spent years caring for.

Everything suddenly felt overwhelming.

She had spent so much of her life taking care of everyone else that she had almost forgotten that she, too, was allowed to become

tired.

"I need to unwind for a few days," she continued softly. "I'll be back soon."

She smiled again, hoping they wouldn't notice the sadness behind it.

The bus rolled slowly along the provincial road as darkness settled over the countryside.

Therese sat beside the window, her head resting lightly against the glass.

The passing lights blurred into golden streaks against the darkness.

Her lips moved silently.

"Lord, please let the truth set me free."

She closed her eyes.

The bus continued through the quiet roads.

By the time Therese finally reached the province, it was already nighttime.

She stepped down from the bus carrying only a small bag.

The familiar smell of the countryside immediately brought back memories she hadn't realized she had missed so much.

She walked toward the small store her mother had been managing for years.

The lights were still on.

And there she was.

Her mother.

Older now.

Her hair had turned almost completely gray, and the years had carved gentle lines across her face.

But the moment she saw Therese, her entire face brightened.

"Therese!"

Her mother hurried toward her.

Therese smiled.

"Mama."

Her mother immediately embraced her.

Therese closed her eyes and held her tightly.

"You should have told me you were coming," her mother said.

"I wanted to surprise you."

she took her bag.

"Come inside. I made your favorite noodle soup."

Therese laughed softly.

"You still remember?"

Her mother gave her an affectionate look.

"Of course I remember."

Later that evening, they sat together at the small table outside the store.

The warm bowl of noodle soup sat in front of Therese.

She took the first spoonful and smiled.

"I missed this."

Her mother smiled.

"You always missed my cooking."

"I missed you more."

Her mother reached across the table and touched her hand.

They talked for hours.

They talked about the store.

The neighbors.

The people in the province.

The little things that had happened while Therese was away.

And for one night, she wanted to forget everything.

At some point, Therese looked around the small store.

"Mama, you know you can come and live with me at Safe Haven."

Her mother shook her head immediately.

"No."

Therese laughed.

"You didn't even think about it."

"Because I've already thought about it many times."

Her mother smiled.

"I'm happy here. I have my little store. I know everyone around here. I have my own routine."

Therese sighed.

"You could rest more if you stayed with me."

"And become one of your residents?"

They both laughed.

"Exactly."

Her mother shook her head affectionately.

"I'm old, but I'm not helpless."

Therese smiled.

"Oh, by the way..."

Therese looked at her.

"What?"

Her mother casually continued.

"Vermont was here yesterday."

Therese froze.

Her fingers stopped moving.

"What? Vermont?"

Her mother nodded.

Therese's brows furrowed.

"Wait... Vermont Caustello?"

"Yes."

Her heart gave a sudden, uneasy beat.

She hadn't heard that name spoken by her mother in years.

"What was Vermont Caustello doing here?"

Her mother looked at her with a puzzled smile.

"He told me that you and he crossed paths recently."

Therese's expression tightened.

"He told you that?"

"Yes."

Her mother continued eating as though the revelation were nothing unusual.

"He said he was looking for me. He wanted to see me, at least once."

Therese stared at her.

"Looking for you?"

Her mother nodded.

"He said that, after all these years, he still considers me his auntie. I couldn't help but recall how naughty he was courting

you back then."

Therese said nothing.

Her mind began racing

Her mother smiled as though she had just remembered something else.

"You know, Therese... Vermont has changed so much."

Therese looked at her suspiciously.

"Changed how?"

Her mother chuckled.

"He is so handsome now."

Therese nearly choked on her soup.

"Mama!"

Her mother laughed.

"What? I'm only telling the truth. He was already handsome when he was young, but now..."

She shook her head with an amused smile.

"That man has certainly grown into a very handsome gentleman."

Therese rolled her eyes.

"You're praising him already?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

Therese laughed.