He glanced at Noah and Nora, who were engrossed in a game they had invented, seemingly oblivious to the adult world around them. “They’re remarkable,” he admitted softly.

“Yes, they are,” Lila replied, her gaze unwavering. “And they’re yours.”

The words hit him like a tidal wave, overwhelming and undeniable. A rush of emotions—astonishment, confusion, guilt—flooded him. He thought back to the careless days when his ambition blinded him to everything else. The day she left, he had chalked it up to her inability to keep up, never considering the depth of her reasons.