The amber rays colored the horizon, manifesting a crown of crimson and pink above the setting sun. Lines of birds flew across the sky in the direction of their shelter; melodic twitters of them felt like an announcement for the darkness to befall.

I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cool evening air.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad said, sitting on the car hood beside me.

I nodded, a smile curved onto my lips. “Yes, very. Thank you for bringing me here, Dad. It’s been so long since I last visited. I really missed our sunrises and sunsets.”

We used to come to this meadow at least once a week. Well, at least me, Dad, and Tobias. Mom and Tess were too lazy to join every time. It was like a tradition for us. The tradition my grandfather started with Dad. But after my move to New York, I couldn’t join Dad and Tobias anymore.

“Me too, princess. Without you, our visits here didn’t have the same meaning.” His tone filled with nostalgia.

“Yeah, that idiot had all the fun for himself,” I joked, mentioning my brother. He couldn’t join us due to an important meeting this evening. “But I’m happy you came here with me this time. It’s my turn today to have all the fun.” I grinned.

Chuckling, he shook his head. “Nah, our time here became pretty boring as even Achilles stopped joining us after you left for your high school.”

My smile slipped at the mention of his name.

He used to accompany us regularly to watch the sunrises and sunsets. But after his father’s death, his visits became less, until it stopped totally. I still remember my extra enthusiasm for the ride here, even at four in the morning, to see him. Meeting him was more important to me than watching anything else.

I heard Dad heaving a sigh. “Sometimes we’ve to let go of the past to live our present, Emerald. Because until you live your present, you won’t be able to accept your future.”

I knew what he was trying to say. Though my family didn’t say anything, I knew everyone has sensed my distance with Ace even after so many years. But I couldn’t explain anything to them even if I wanted to. They didn’t know the whole truth, so they couldn’t understand.

“But what if it’s too difficult to let go of the past?”

His gaze locked with mine. “Nothing is impossible, sweetheart. Sometimes we indulge ourselves so deep in our pain that we can’t see anything past that. All you’ve to do is open your heart a little more, and let go of the grudges. Don’t let the past hold you from your happiness in the present.”

I put my head on his shoulder, saying nothing.