Don't Lie

"...God! I am a great sinner, having offended God. Now, for God's sake, and because I love God above all things, I wholeheartedly repent my sins, I wholeheartedly repent my sins, I wholeheartedly repent my sins, and resolve never to offend God again. I hope God will completely forgive my sins... Amen."

She struck her chest.

After reciting it once, Charlotte clasped her hands together again and continued reciting her act of contrition before the crucifix. Yet no matter how many times she struck her chest, it seemed unable to wash away the guilt in her heart.

All she could think of was that unforgettable color of skin.

It was not until the chapel door suddenly opened and Charlotte heard footsteps that she was jolted awake. She hurriedly stood up, only to find that it was Mother Teresa.

"Charlotte, my child, what exactly is wrong? Why do you look so frightened?" Mother Teresa walked up to Charlotte and gently pressed a hand to her forehead.

"Mother, I... I can't calm down." Charlotte was truly too ashamed to speak of what she had done.

She felt that her sin could not only fail to earn forgiveness, but might even have grown worse... because she was lying to Mother Teresa, who had always cared for her, taught her, and raised her.

"Poor child." Mother Teresa comforted her softly.

She had raised Charlotte from childhood. Many years ago, when the child was still an infant, someone had left her at the monastery's doorstep. Seventeen years had passed since then. How could Mother Teresa fail to notice that Charlotte seemed to be hiding something?

However, her educational principles prevented her from pressing the matter directly. Instead, she changed the subject. "I added some oil to the motorcycle and started it up. Thank God, it