Chapter 113: Divine Intervention

Tears stung the backs of Leitana’s eyes as she stepped out of the room, trailing close behind Clara. She hated witnessing the quarrels, the growing rift between her sister and their mother, it cut her deeply. The realization that their mother wouldn’t stand with them felt like a slow, twist of a knife in her chest. Before she could stop it, tears slipped down her cheeks. All she wanted was peace among them, not this endless tension.

“LEITANA!”

Clara’s sharp call snapped her back. In the same instant, strong arms wrapped around her waist, yanking her backward just as her foot met empty air. She had missed a step on the staircase, and would have tumbled headlong down the entire flight if Clara hadn’t caught her.

“Missus, are you alright?” Clara’s voice was tight with alarm.

Leitana blinked, dazed, then met Clara’s worried eyes and slowly shook her head. Her face crumpled.

“I not okay, Clara,” she whispered, voice breaking. “Everyting so heavy in mi heart.”

Clara nodded, still holding her close. It hurt to see her usually bright, laughing missus weighed down by so much sorrow.

“It’ll be alright, missus,” Clara murmured, soft and steady. “You always tell us—if the load gets too much, just kneel and give it all to God. Honestly? I never really took it serious. I’m not like you—I don’t have that kind of faith. Truth is, I don’t even believe there’s a Creator or a Papa God watching over us. I see too much suffering. I’ve experienced too much misfortune. I keep asking, where is He? So I never prayed. Never saw the point.”

She paused. Leitana lifted her tear-bright eyes, curious and listening.

“But last week…” Clara’s voice cracked. “My brother called. They were about to stop my mother’s treatment.” Fresh tears welled up. “She has cancer. I hadn’t gotten my paycheck yet, and even that wouldn’t have covered everything. Don’t misunderstand, the master pays us generously. Honestly, too generously for what I do. I get a roof, beautiful meals I never dreamed I’d taste… I’m grateful every day. But hospital bills? They’re a different beast. No insurance. Not for me, not for her.”

Fat tears rolled down Clara’s cheeks.

Leitana’s own pain quietly receded. She gazed at the young woman still wrapped around her, then reached up and tenderly brushed the tears from Clara’s left cheek with her thumb.

Clara gave a watery, trembling smile. “That night I couldn’t sleep. No matter how hard I tried. Then your words floated back to me. Normally I’d have brushed them off, but… I didn’t. Before I knew it, I was on my knees at the foot of my bed, staring out the window, pouring my heart out, crying to a God I wasn’t even sure existed. I cried until I passed out right there on the floor.”

She shook her head, voice quivering.

“Next morning I woke up numb. They called again, treatment officially stopped. I cried harder. Paid what little I could, but they refused to continue. I felt… broken. Yesterday I was actually planning to ask for leave. A friend mentioned this… host club. Basically, I’d have had to sell myself…”

Clara’s voice fractured. She looked away, cheeks burning with shame.

Leitana’s hand gently tightened on Clara’s arm, quiet, steady reassurance.

Clara drew a shaky breath and pressed on.

“But last night… My brother called again. He was crying, happy tears this time. A new doctor started at the hospital. He launched a special sponsorship program—full free treatment for patients who can’t pay. They review cases by need and urgency. Somehow, my mother’s file got pulled. They accepted her. Everything is covered now. No more stopping. Full course.”

Tears streamed faster down Clara’s face.

“I don’t know how her name even got on that list. I never applied. I didn’t even know the program existed until he told me. But when he said it… I just broke, relief, gratitude, everything at once. And I thought… maybe that night I spent sobbing on the floor… maybe someone actually heard me.”

She met Leitana’s eyes, shining with wonder.

“That’s why I’m telling you, missus. It feels like divine intervention. Like God was listening even when I didn’t believe, even when I doubted. And I wanted you to hear it… because you’re the one who planted that little seed. You’re the one who told me to kneel.”

Leitana’s eyes filled again not with pain this time, but with something gentler, warmer, almost hopeful.

“It is,” she whispered. “It really is divine intervention.”

Clara laughed through her tears, soft and shaky. “Leitana… your faith is stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. The God you serve? He won’t abandon you. Remember that. Even when it’s heavy. Even when it hurts. He’s still right there.”

Leitana pulled Clara into a fierce hug. Clara hugged back just as tightly, grateful, anchoring.

They stayed like that for several long breaths.

Then Leitana gently wiped her eyes, drew in a steadying breath, and straightened her shoulders.

Clara offered a small, real smile.

Leitana returned it.

Together, they continued down the stairs.

As they reached the bottom, the butler was ushering guests into the foyer.

Leitana’s face brightened the moment she spotted Willow, blonde hair catching the chandelier light, designer bag slung carelessly over one shoulder, that familiar confident, slightly arrogant smile already playing on her lips.

But the warmth on Leitana’s face flickered and died.

Because standing right beside Willow, tall, impeccably dressed, eyes sharp and calculating was Jim.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

Leitana’s heart stuttered, then stopped.

Jim’s gaze locked onto hers.

In that single, frozen second, everything changed.

He knew.

And the game had just turned far more dangerous.