Collide

Chapter 12

The morning at Safe Haven began quietly.

Therese sat at one of the tables near the kitchen, having a simple breakfast while several elderly residents chatted nearby.

For the first time in days, her mind felt somewhat settled.

The packages from Vermont had been a constant reminder of the man she was trying to keep out of her thoughts.

She had decided they would not remain at Safe Haven.

The new cleaner entered the dining area.

"Good morning, Lady Therese."

Therese looked up from her breakfast.

"Good morning."

The cleaner approached her.

"The packages have been delivered to the freight hub, Sister."

Therese paused.

"All of them?"

"Yes. Everything has been sent back to the sender."

Therese nodded.

A small sense of relief passed through her.

"Thank you."

The cleaner smiled politely.

"You're welcome, Lady Therese."

Therese returned her attention to her breakfast.

For a moment, she thought the matter was finally over.

The packages were gone.

The unwanted connection had been severed.

Or so she believed.

After finishing her meal, Therese stood and gathered her things.

"Before you start with the other rooms, I want you to clean my office."

The cleaner nodded.

"Of course, Sister."

Therese handed her the keys.

"Please dust the shelves, organize the desk, and make sure everything is in its proper place."

The cleaner accepted the keys.

"I'll take care of it."

Therese smiled faintly.

"Thank you."

The cleaner turned toward the corridor.

Therese was halfway through her breakfast when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

She looked up from her plate as a church messenger appeared at the doorway. The young man was still catching his breath, one hand

clutching a sealed envelope.

"Lady Therese?"

Therese wiped her hands with a napkin and rose from her chair.

"Yes?"

"I was instructed to deliver this to you personally."

He extended the envelope.

Therese accepted it and immediately noticed the official seal of the church.

"What is this?"

"A summons, Sister. You are required to go to appear to the basilica today."

Her expression changed.

"Today?"

"Yes, Sister. The council is already waiting for you."

Therese glanced at the clock.

She had barely finished her breakfast.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

The messenger bowed before leaving.

For several seconds, Therese remained standing, staring at the envelope in her hands. A strange heaviness settled inside her chest.

She had expected another meeting eventually. She had expected more questions about the investigation.

But something about the urgency of the summons frightened her.

She quickly returned to her room and prepared herself.

There was no time to think about what the meeting might bring. She changed into her proper attire, gathered the documents she

thought might be necessary, and left Safe Haven as soon as she could.

The entire journey to the council was filled with unanswered questions.

Why today?

Why was I summoned so suddenly?

Have they reached a decision?

When Therese finally arrived at the council's office, she immediately saw Sister Amelita waiting in the corridor.

The older nun stood silently, holding a sealed envelope against her chest.

Therese approached her.

"Sister Amelita."

Amelita looked at her.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she stepped forward.

"Therese..."

Something in her voice made Therese stop.

"What happened?"

Amelita lowered her eyes to the envelope.

"The decision from the head clergy has arrived."

Therese's heart seemed to stop.

Amelita extended the envelope toward her.

"This is your copy."

Therese stared at it.

The official seal was unmistakable.

Her fingers began to tremble.

She slowly reached for the envelope.

"Is this..." Her voice weakened. "Is this about the investigation?"

Amelita didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she placed a hand gently over Therese's trembling fingers.

"Read it."

Therese swallowed hard.

She broke the seal.

Her eyes moved across the first few lines.

Then the next.

Her breathing became shallow.

She continued reading.

And with every sentence, the color seemed to drain from her face.

Her eyes reached the final portion of the letter.

The decision was clear.

She was removed from the nunnery, effective immediately.

Therese stared at the words.

For several seconds, she couldn't move.

Then her vision blurred.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Another followed.

"No..."

Her voice was barely audible.

Amelita stepped closer.

"Therese—"

"No."

Therese shook her head as tears continued falling.

"I didn't..."

Her voice broke.

"I didn't do anything."

She looked at Amelita, desperately searching for an explanation that could make the letter disappear.

"I didn't do it, Sister."

Amelita immediately pulled her into an embrace.

Therese collapsed against her shoulder.

"I didn't steal anything," she sobbed. "I didn't misuse the funds. I would never do that."

"I know."

"How can they do this?"

Her hands tightened around the letter.

"How can they judge me immediately?"

Amelita held her firmly as Therese cried.

"I served them faithfully," Therese continued through her tears. "I followed everything they asked of me. I devoted my life to

this calling."

"I know, Therese."

"Then why?"

Amelita had no answer.

Therese looked down at the letter again.

The words remained unchanged.

Her position was gone.

Her years of service had been reduced to a few cold paragraphs stamped and signed by people who had never truly known what she

had sacrificed.

"I don't understand," she whispered.

Amelita gently wiped the tears from her face.

Therese left the council office without saying much.

The letter remained tightly clutched in her hands as she made her way toward the basilica.

The church stood enormous and solemn against the quiet afternoon. Its towering walls and grand doors made Therese feel smaller

than she had ever felt before.

It wasn't Sunday.

There were no crowds, no voices of worshippers filling the nave, no choir rehearsing in the distance. Only the occasional sound of

cleaners moving somewhere within the vast building broke the silence.

Therese slowly walked through the doors.

Her steps felt unbearably heavy.

Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. She lowered her gaze as she walked, trying to compose herself, but the tears continued

to gather in her eyes.

She moved farther inside.

The enormous altar stood before her beneath the soft light filtering through the stained-glass windows.

Therese stopped.

For years, this place had been her refuge.

Whenever she was troubled, she had come here.

Whenever she needed answers, she had knelt here.

And now, she didn't even know whether she still had the right to call herself a nun.

She slowly approached one of the chairs near the front.

Her knees weakened as she sat down.

For a long moment, she simply stared at the altar.

Then she bowed her head.

Her hands came together.

And she began to pray.

At first, no words came.

Only tears.

They rolled silently down her cheeks as she struggled to find the courage to speak.

Finally, her trembling voice broke the silence.

"... why?"

She closed her eyes.

"Why did this happen to me?"

Her voice cracked.

"I didn't do what they accused me of."

She pressed her hands together more tightly.

"You know that."

Another tear fell.

"You know my heart. You know what I have done. You know that I never took anything that wasn't mine."

Her breathing became unsteady.

"Then why didn't You stop this?"

The question escaped her before she could take it back.

Therese lowered her head.

She immediately felt guilty for questioning the Heaven, but the pain inside her was too great to contain.

"Have I failed You somehow?"

She wiped her cheeks.

For the first time in years, Therese had no plan.

No position to return to.

No certainty about tomorrow.

Only her faith—and a question that refused to leave her heart.

Why me?

It was almost sunset when Therese finally stepped out of the basilica.

The sky had begun to turn gold and orange, casting a warm glow over the streets. Yet Therese barely noticed the beauty around her.

Her eyes were still red from crying.

She held the letter from the council inside her bag and stood quietly beside the street, waiting for a taxi.

She raised one hand, preparing to hail the next passing vehicle.

Before she could, a red car suddenly slowed down and stopped directly in front of her.

Therese stepped back in surprise.

The tinted window slowly descended.

A familiar face appeared behind the wheel.

The man smiled.

Therese stared at him, unable to believe what she was seeing.

"Peter?"

The man's smile widened.

"Therese."

She remained frozen for a moment.

"Is that really you?"

Peter chuckled softly.

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

He looked at her carefully, noticing her swollen eyes.

"It's been a long time."

Therese slowly approached the car.

"I can't believe it."

"Neither can I."

Peter leaned slightly toward the passenger side.

"Where are you going?"

Therese hesitated.

She suddenly didn't know how to answer.

For years, she had always known where she belonged.

The convent.

The mission.

Safe Haven.

But today, everything had changed.

Peter noticed her hesitation.

"You look like you could use a ride."

Therese gave him a faint, tired smile.

"I suppose I do."

Peter unlocked the passenger door.

"Then get in."

Therese entered the car.

As she settled into the seat, Peter glanced at her again.

He started the engine.

"You know, I should congratulate you."

Therese looked at him.

"Congratulate me?"

"Yes. You actually made it."

He laughed softly.

"All those years of missionary work, the training, the sacrifices... and you successfully became a nun. I always knew you

would."

Therese forced a small smile.

"Thank you, Peter."

But the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"I thought you won't remember me."

Therese looked at him with a small smile.

"How could I forget you?"

Peter laughed.

"Good. Because I remember you very well."

Therese turned toward the window.

"You were one of the missionaries who never stopped trying to make everyone laugh."

"And you were the one who was always telling me to behave."

A faint laugh escaped Therese.

It was the first one she had managed that day.

Peter smiled.

"There. I was wondering if I could still make you laugh."

Therese looked at him.

For a brief moment, she felt the heaviness inside her lessen.

Peter had been part of her life long before she entered the nunnery.

They had served together as missionaries.

They had shared long days of travel, difficult assignments, prayers, and countless conversations about faith.

Peter had even undergone training to become a priest.

But he never completed the journey.

He had fallen in love with a woman.

And eventually, he had chosen a different life.

Therese remembered how complicated that time had been for him.

"What happened to you after the mission?" she asked.

Peter smiled.

"Life happened."

Therese raised an eyebrow.

"That's not an answer."

He laughed.

"I met someone. I fell in love. And apparently, that was enough to ruin my plans to become a priest."

Therese smiled faintly.

"I remember."

Peter glanced at her.

"And you?"

Therese's smile disappeared.

She looked down at her hands.

Peter immediately noticed.

"Therese?"

She remained silent.

Peter didn't press her.

Instead, he continued driving as the last light of sunset faded beyond the buildings.

After a moment, Therese finally whispered,

"I was removed from the nunnery today."

Peter's hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

He turned toward her in disbelief.

"What?"

Therese looked out the window.

"The council decided that I should be removed."

Peter stared at the road ahead, clearly stunned.

"But why?"

Therese did not answer. Peter slightly tapped her.

"Everything has a reason. What happened today might be a redirection."

She just nodded.

"You know what? We should have a dinner."

Therese turned toward him.

"Dinner?"

"Yes. It's been years since we've actually sat down and talked. We have a lot to catch up on."

Therese looked through the window at the passing streets.

Normally, she might have declined.

But tonight, she didn't want to be alone.

She nodded.

"Okay."

Peter smiled.

When they finally reached the restaurant, Peter parked near the entrance and opened the door for Therese.

The restaurant was warm and inviting, filled with quiet conversations and the clinking of utensils. For the first time that day, Therese

felt as though she had stepped away from the weight of everything that had happened.

They were seated at a table near the window.

Peter picked up the menu.

"Order whatever you want. Tonight, I'm treating you."

Therese looked at him.

"Are you sure?"

Peter smiled.

"Of course. Consider it a welcome-back dinner."

Therese smiled genuinely this time.

"Thank you."

She looked down at the menu and began choosing her meal.

For a brief moment, she felt like an ordinary woman again.

There was no title she needed to carry.

No sacred responsibility resting on her shoulders.

No one expecting her to be an example of perfect devotion.

Tonight, she could simply sit across from an old friend and enjoy a meal.

After ordering, Peter leaned back in his chair.

"Peter, how's married life?"

Peter smiled.

"Married life?"

"Yes. How many children do you have now?"

His face immediately brightened.

"Two."

Therese's eyes widened.

"Two?"

"Yes. The youngest is three, and the eldest is five."

Therese smiled.

"That's wonderful."

Peter chuckled.

"Wonderful? That's one word for it."

Therese laughed softly.

"You don't sound convinced."

"Marriage is challenging."

He shook his head with amusement.

"And being a parent almost made me crazy."

Therese laughed again.

"I can imagine."

Peter pointed at her playfully.

"Don't laugh. You have no idea what it's like to have two children asking you questions at the same time."

"I think you secretly enjoy it."

Peter smiled.

"Maybe I do."

Their conversation briefly became lighter.

Then Peter looked at her.

"So, what are your plans now?"

Therese stopped.

Her hand remained still above her plate.

The question caught her completely off guard.

Plans?

She had spent years knowing exactly what she was supposed to do. Every day had been structured around her calling, her

responsibilities, and her service.

Now, suddenly, there was nothing.

She slowly lowered her fork.

"I don't know."

Peter studied her face.

"You don't know?"

Therese shook her head.

"I honestly don't."

Peter leaned back, thinking.

Then his expression suddenly brightened.

"Wait."

Therese looked at him.

"What?"

"You're forgetting something."

She frowned.

"What am I forgetting?"

Peter smiled.

"You're a nursing graduate."

Therese blinked.

"And a licensed nurse," he added.

She looked down at her hands.

It had been so long since she had thought about that part of her life.

Before the nunnery.

Before missionary work had completely shaped her days.

She had trained as a nurse because she wanted to help people.

Peter pointed at her.

"Why don't you start from there?"

Therese looked at him thoughtfully.

"Nursing?"

"Yes. Why not?"

Peter's voice became encouraging.

"You already have the education. You're licensed. And you've spent years caring for people at Safe Haven. You haven't

forgotten how to care for others just because you left nursing for a while."

Therese remained silent.

For the first time that evening, a possibility began forming in her mind.

Something outside the convent.

Something she could build for herself.

Peter suddenly snapped his fingers.

"Actually, I might be able to help."

Therese looked at him.

"How?"

"I have a friend who owns a hospital."

Her eyebrows lifted.

"Really?"

Peter nodded.

"Yes. I could introduce you to him. Maybe he can help you get back into nursing."

Therese smiled.

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

He took another bite of his food before adding casually,

"Although there's one small problem."

Therese looked suspicious.

"What problem?"

Peter grinned.

"The hospital owner is a bachelor."

Therese stared at him.

Then she shook her head.

"Peter."

He laughed.

"What? I'm just giving you information."

"I thought you were helping me find a job."

"I am."

He raised both hands innocently.

"I'm only saying that the man happens to be single."

Therese rolled her eyes, but a genuine smile appeared on her face.

"You haven't changed at all."

Peter laughed.

"Anyway, seriously, all I can say that maybe you are called to be a nurse this time. You can still help a lot of people. That's

still being a missionary in other sense. Think about it."