---- am... sorry." Tears fell. Not for a lost love, but for a life lost to darkness, a life that found a sliver of light in its final moment. One Year Later The church bells rang at the foot of the Swiss Alps. I walked down the aisle in an ivory-white gown, my heart calm and full. Alexander stood at the altar, his eyes shining with a love that was my sanctuary. "T do," I said, my voice clear and firm. "T do," he replied, his voice filled with joy. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, blessing our new beginning. In the studio my grandfather built for me, I carveda block of marble. My hand was steady, stronger than ever. ---- "What are you sculpting?" Alexander asked, wrapping his arms around me. "An angel," I said, stepping back to look at my work. Its wings were spread, protecting a young girl. "A guardian angel." "Tt's beautiful," he admired. "Everyone needs one," I said, turning to look into his eyes. "And I finally found mine."