Chapter 1 Father Hart

Father Hart sat at his desk, the soft light of the evening sun filtering through the stained-glass windows of the church. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and incense, a comforting smell he had grown to associate with his life's work. At thirty years old, Father Hart was already a respected priest within his parish-a man known for his kindness, his unwavering faith, and his deep commitment to the service of God.

He ran his fingers over the worn leather of his Bible, a personal possession he had used for years. The pages were frayed at the edges, a testament to the countless prayers and reflections he had poured over them. It was here, in the quiet of his study, that he felt closest to God, where his thoughts could drift to the souls he had helped guide, the lives he had touched, and the many confessions he had heard in his time as a priest.

Father Hart had always taken his role seriously. His parishioners loved him, and his reputation as the "Priest of the Year" had earned him both respect and admiration. He prided himself on being a man of the cloth, someone who could offer wisdom to those seeking solace in the confessional, someone whose mere presence could calm the anxious hearts of those burdened by guilt and shame.

But there was something different about this particular season, something that had begun to unsettle him. For the past three months, a woman had been coming to his confessions, a woman who had been making the same confession every week without fail. At first, Father Hart had assumed it was simply a coincidence, perhaps a pattern of a struggling soul looking for redemption. But as the weeks passed, the routine became clear. She was coming to confess the same sin, one she seemed unable to break free from.

Her name was Cersei.

Each week, she came into the confessional with the same look in her eyes-tired, worn, and yet there was something in her that spoke of a desperation for change. She would confess her sins in a soft, almost defeated voice, then recite the same penance he had given her the week before. And then, she would leave.

Father Hart had tried to offer her guidance, speaking with her gently, suggesting ways she could free herself from the chains of whatever held her captive. But there was no change. No movement. It was as though the words he offered fell on deaf ears.

He had come to a realization that disturbed him deeply-Cersei wasn't simply coming for absolution. No, it seemed she was searching for something more, though she never said it aloud. She was asking for help, but she wasn't sure how to receive it. That much was clear.

And so, Father Hart found himself wondering about her. Who was she really? What was the source of her despair? Each time she left the confessional, it was as though a piece of her remained behind in the small, sacred space, a silent echo of the unspoken.

Father Hart glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for evening Mass, but he found himself unable to pull away from his thoughts. He knew the answer was simple: he had to find out more about Cersei. He had to help her break free from the cycle she seemed trapped in. And yet, as much as he wanted to help, something inside him also felt a creeping discomfort. There were rules-rules of the Church, rules of decency. He knew that getting too involved in her life could lead him down a dangerous path.

But the burden of her soul weighed heavily on his heart, and he couldn't shake the feeling that if he didn't do something, she would remain stuck in that cycle of confession without ever truly breaking free.

As he stood from his desk, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. It was time for Mass, and Father Hart knew his congregation awaited him. He quickly straightened his collar, smoothing his cassock, and turned to the door, pushing aside his concerns for the moment.

"Father?" a voice called from the hallway.

"Yes?" he replied, his voice steady, but his mind still swirling with thoughts of the woman he'd yet to understand.

"Confession is ready," the young altar boy said, waiting patiently.

Father Hart nodded, offering a small smile. "Thank you, son. I'll be there shortly."

As he walked down the hallway toward the confessional, he passed by the open doors of the church, where the familiar faces of his parishioners gathered. Their voices were hushed in prayer, the soft murmur of their devotion filling the air. His heart ached as he looked at them, knowing that they, too, sought answers, sought peace, just as Cersei did.

But Cersei was different. He could feel it in his bones. Something about her confession, about her silent pleas for help, tugged at him in a way nothing else had before.

Father Hart entered the confessional booth and sat down, adjusting the small curtain that separated him from the penitent. He took a deep breath, ready to offer solace to whoever came next. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder when Cersei would return again-and what he could do to truly help her.