"Mr. Mark! Come on, the kids are waiting inside!" Clara's loud call from down the building's hallway instantly broke the emotional moment.
Hearing his assistant's voice, Mark instinctively startled.
He hurriedly wiped the remaining tears from his cheeks with his shirt sleeve, taking a deep breath to steady his hoarse voice. The man tried hard to hide the remnants of his tears, putting back on the mask of composure he usually displayed in front of others before finally standing up to approach Clara.
Mark's footsteps crossed the threshold of the orphanage hall, dispelling the lingering tightness that had gripped his chest after his conversation with Mother Maria.
In the middle of the room, dozens of children from the orphanage sat in a circle, their eyes sparkling brightly as they gazed intently at Clara, who was sitting there holding a thick picture book.
