Epilogue Two

EIGHT YEARS LATER

T oday's the day. I could hardly sleep last night, and even though Jonas took my caffeine away, he knows what this means to me… to us.

We all stand outside of the Academy as new students unload their belongings and say goodbye to their families.

Jonas moves closer to me and kisses my neck.

"I don't see her. What if she doesn't accept our scholarship?" I mumble, chewing on my bottom lip worriedly.

"She's coming, baby girl. Her mother accepted and signed all the papers," Jonas mutters, then rubs my back.

I frown at his term ‘mother', but let it go for now.

A black car pulls up in front of the school, and I watch with bated breath.

A beautiful girl opens the car door and steps out, gazing up at the Academy. She has soft brown curls, skin like mine, and rosy red lips.

"She's so beautiful," I gasp. Jonas moves away to help with her luggage as Levi comes to take his place.

"Just like her mama, Little Sinner."

"Shit, I'm going to totally start crying and freak her out," I say, blinking like a crazy person.

Bast grabs my hand, and we wait for her and Jonas to reach the top step.

"Hi, I'm Hope Riveria, today is my first day. My scholarship papers said to meet with the Headmistress on my arrival. Is that you?"

She gives me a smile and I nod, clearing my throat as I shake her hand.

"Yes, I'm Chastity Madden, and I wanted to be here to welcome you especially. We are so glad that you decided to come to Locked Academy. Bastian here has all of your dorm information."

She turns to Bast, and I get lost just watching her, missing most of what they say, and then she's gone again.

My hands shake and I force my feet not to chase after her.

Levi pulls me into a hug and I sigh.

"She looks so good. We did the right thing leaving her with her new family."

"Yes, we did, Baby Girl. She was in a good place, with parents who adored her. It would have only upset her life. This is better," he mutters, then lets me go.

Hope Riveria, my daughter, my Angel. She's home now, and we owe it all to my dad.

Like he said with his last dying breath…

"We must find Hope."