Chapter 9

Father John glanced at her before picking up his coffee cup. “It’s gone cold already!” he noted nonchalantly, and the coffee shop door opened.

Emily’s friends entered, dressed provocatively, and Father John shook his head with a hint of pity. “Hello, ladies,” one of them greeted while the other playfully ruffled Emily’s hair. “Let’s go for a ride!” they exclaimed before Emily could respond.

“Hmm…” Emily was about to disagree, but the girl, who had been messing with her hair earlier, bent down, picked up her bag, and packed all her belongings into it.

“No turning back; let’s go,” the first girl insisted, pulling Emily along.

“Okay,” Emily sighed and glanced at Father John, who seemed not to be paying attention to them. She grabbed her phone and followed her friends out.

Maria, who noticed that Father John was still gazing in the direction the girls had gone, approached him and sat in Emily’s spot.

“Father, what’s wrong?” Maria asked, looking concer