I got out and opened the back door, lifting Lila into my arms while Noah scrambled out beside me.

Maren carried the single duffel bag she had managed to grab.

Inside, the cottage smelled of pine and cold salt air.

I turned on a single lamp in the living room, casting a warm glow over the simple wooden furniture.

“Sit down on the couch, guys,” Maren said softly to the twins.

They sat close together, their small sneakers dangling above the rug.

I knelt in front of them, resting my hands on my knees.

“Noah, Lila, I need to tell you something important,” I said.

Lila rubbed her eyes. “Is it about Grandma Eleanor?”

“Yes,” I said. “And about me.”

I looked at Maren, who gave me a small nod of encouragement.

“A long time ago, some bad decisions were made by people we trusted,” I said. “Because of those decisions, I didn’t know where you were.”

“Did you look for us?” Noah asked.

“Every day, even when I didn’t know I was looking,” I said. “But now that we are together, some people are going to be very angry.”