At the top floor of Sacred Heart Orphanage, the cold wind howled like sharp blades. A group of girls huddled together in a corner, their shoulders trembling and hands rubbing incessantly in an attempt to squeeze a trace of warmth from their palms. Their noses were frozen red, and the white mist from their breath instantly dissipated into the freezing air. The thin clothes on their bodies were like a layer of paper in this bitter winter, completely unable to fend off the onslaught of the severe cold.
Several consecutive days of blizzards had made an already difficult situation even worse. A few of the children had already developed high fevers, their little faces flushed as they lay weakly on the floor, yet they did not even have the money to buy medicine.
Luna's situation was relatively better. She wore a few layers of warm clothing underneath, which could temporarily resist the bone-chilling cold. Recently, however, her heart was filled with inner conflict. She had hidden some savings in a bakery—money she had toiled day and night to save up, intended to buy her freedom.
Chapter 44