We passed through the heavy iron gates of the Steel estate, where two security guards waved us through.

Inside the grand foyer, the air smelled of beeswax, lemon polish, and fresh vanilla.

A small, wooden toy train sat on the bottom step of the main staircase.

From the upstairs playroom, I could hear the faint, high-pitched laughter of the twins.

Ryker stopped at the foot of the stairs, picking up the toy train and turning it over in his large hand.

“They should have been here years ago,” Ryker said quietly.

“They are here now, Ryker,” I said. “And they are never leaving.”

He nodded, placing the toy carefully on the console table.

We walked up the stairs together and entered the brightly lit playroom.

Lily and Owen were sitting on a thick, colorful rug, building a fortress out of wooden blocks.

Their nanny stood near the window, stepping back with a respectful smile as we entered.

Owen looked up first, his dark eyes wide and bright.

“Uncle Ryker!” he cried, dropping a red block and running across the room.