Chapter 25

ONE YEAR LATER

MIRANDA

I paused my sketching and cocked my head to the side to inspect it. The natural light in my new apartment was God sent when it came to me curling up on the balcony and sketching my hours away. I was happier. At least, I felt a little happier. Lighter even.

So much had happened in a year and I wasn't certain how I made it through but I had and now I wore a smile on my face that felt a little less fake than the ones I used to wear. Guilt still ate away at my very soul but I knew, wherever Ace was, he was safe and probably happy.

Hopefully happy.

That agent never bothered me again. Not after Ace had upped and left to another country. No one knew where he was but I knew he kept in contact with his brothers so he was alive. I thought about him more often than not. He had told me to follow my heart and do what made me happy and I took his advice even when my father had tossed the words 'You're a disappointment' and 'You're throwing a good future away for what' my