The statement carried a heaviness that settled inside Phoenix’s chest, creating a dull ache that spread outward. More than a gracious compliment, it was confirmation that he had, in fact, made the right decision, and if Edgeworth’s words truly implied what he thought they did, it meant that’d he’d accomplished his goal, as well.

There were no words to convey the feeling that accompanied that revelation—Phoenix wasn’t even sure he could describe it himself. In lieu of a response, he simply held Miles’ gaze and smiled.