"In the mornings, we focus on the children’s education," Sister Olivia explained as they paused under the brittle fra of what used to be a shade structure.
"Cammy can teach the younger ones during this ti. In the afternoons, she’ll help prepare ingredients for dinner. Of course, given her condition," she said gently, glancing at Cammy’s pregnant belly, "we’ll ensure her tasks are manageable. But I must be honest—we’re very short on staff. Sotis the work goes beyond what’s planned."
Greg listened carefully before reaching into his suit jacket. He pulled out a crisp envelope and handed it to Sister Olivia.
"Sister, I wrote this cheque before I even saw this place. And now that I have... I know it’s not enough. Please, take it anyway. It’s a start. And I promise, there will be more. Please... take care of my wife. And our unborn child. I trust that she’s in good hands here."
Sister Olivia accepted it with reverence. But when she opened it and saw the amount—$300,000—her hands trembled.
"Oh, rciful heavens!" she gasped. "This is... this is not just a donation, Mr. Cross. This is a miracle! This... this changes everything!"
She burst into tears, unable to contain the emotion. She pulled both Cammy and Greg into a tight, overwheld embrace. "You’re angels. Truly, you are heaven-sent. May the Lord shower you both with blessings. I—words can’t describe what this ans to us."
Greg smiled softly. "Just pray for us, Sister. Pray we can make even more so we can give again."
"Pray?" she said through tears. "Oh, I’ll pray every single day."
Even Cammy, usually stoic in her strength, was wiping at her cheeks.
As the children gathered around, sensing sothing good had happened, a rare feeling filled the broken old walls of St. Anne’s—hope.
After the tearful embrace, Sister Olivia placed a gentle hand on Cammy’s shoulder. "Mr. and Mrs. Cross, would you mind joining in my office for a few minutes? There’s soone I’d like you to et before you leave."
"Of course," Cammy said, her voice soft but resolute.
Greg gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they followed the nun through the quiet hallway of the orphanage.
Sister Olivia opened the worn wooden door to her office and gestured them inside. It was small and humble, with mismatched furniture and faded curtains, but tidy and warm. Waiting inside was a woman in her late thirties with a kind smile, a clipboard in hand, and exhaustion in her eyes that couldn’t quite dim the kindness in them.
"This is Sarah," Sister Olivia said. "She’s our manager here at St. Anne’s and will be the one overseeing your daily schedule, Cammy. She’s been with us for over ten years, and we truly wouldn’t be able to keep this place running without her."
Sarah stood and extended her hand. "It’s an honor to et you, Mrs. Cross. Thank you for being here. We’ve never had help like this."
Cammy took her hand firmly. "I should be the one thanking you for allowing to be here. I know the conditions are tough... but I’m ready to help however I can."
"I’ll take good care of her," Sarah said, nodding to Greg with professional assurance. "I know she’s not here just to serve a sentence—she’s here to make a difference."
Greg’s phone chid with a new notification, he took a quick glance and put it back into her pocket.
Greg’s jaw clenched slightly, his protective instinct kicking in.
He looked at Cammy, his expression softening. "Babe, I have to head to work now. I don’t like the idea of leaving you here, even if it’s just twenty minutes away from the house.
But I know you—you’ll thrive. Still..." He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If anything, anything at all feels off—you call . Understood?"
Cammy smiled, placing her hand over his. "Understood. Now go. You’re making it harder for to act brave."
He kissed her forehead, then gave Sister Olivia and Sarah a nod before walking out.
Once he was gone, Cammy turned to Hanna and Roger, who were standing near the door, ready to assist.
"Roger," she said, straightening up.
"Before anything else, I want you to take pictures of everything—outside and inside. Every hallway, every corner, every room. Get shots of the playground, the kitchen, the bathrooms, the bedrooms. Everything. Don’t miss anything."
Roger blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Understood, ma’am. I’ll get on it right away."
"Good," Cammy said, before turning to Hanna. "And you—get your notebook. I’m going to start listing everything we need fixed, bought, and renovated. And I want you to write down every single word."
"Yes, ma’am," Hanna replied quickly, pulling out a pen and paper.
Both Sister Olivia and Manager Sarah dropped their jaw upon hearing what Cammy was planning to do.
Cammy stepped to the window, she clenched her jaw, turned around with a spark in her chest, and said firmly, "This place shouldn’t look like this. These children shouldn’t have to live like this."
Sister Olivia gave a knowing smile and took a step forward. "Am I thinking what you’re thinking, Mrs. Cross?"
Cammy smiled softly at both Sister Olivia and Sarah, but there was a depth behind her eyes—an unshakable purpose rising to the surface.
"It depends on what you have in mind, Sister. But please, call , Cammy," she said gently, "but I’ll tell you this—I’m a mother, and the mont I stepped foot here, my heart sank. I saw those children’s smiles, their resilience, their innocence—and I felt it in my soul. I can’t just stand by and do nothing. I won’t."
She stepped closer, her voice trembling with emotion but firm with resolve.
"The children are lucky to have you both. You’ve done so much with so little. But I... I believe I was sent here for more than just community service. The mont I saw that rusted gate, sothing in clicked. It was like—like every pain, every challenge, every betrayal I’ve ever been through... it all led here. To this place. To this exact mont."
Sister Olivia covered her mouth, moved to tears. Sarah blinked rapidly, her voice caught in her throat.
Cammy placed a hand gently over her growing belly. "I’m about to bring life into this world, and I want that world to be a little better than the one I ca from. These children deserve to feel safe. To feel loved. To know that they matter."
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*Author’s Note*
To all privilege readers:
I will be reducing my updates starting June 2025 as the main story of Cammy and Greg are about to end but this book will continue with the story of the side characters. I will reduce the privilege fee, but it is still up to you if you want to buy it or not.
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