The world seemed to stop again.
“Her twin…?”
Claire’s eyes filled with tears. “We were separated when we were young. Different foster homes. Emily and I didn’t grow up together. By the time I found her again, she was already married—to you. And she was so happy.”
My throat tightened. “She never told me…”
“She didn’t want to burden you,” Claire said gently. “She thought it would be too complicated, that maybe I’d bring pain into her new life. We met a few times, quietly. She wanted me to have a fresh start. To build my own story.”
I leaned against the garden wall, trying to catch my breath.
“So all this time… you were out there?”
“Yes,” Claire said softly. “And when Daniel and I met, I didn’t realize you were connected. Not until he mentioned your name. By then, I was already falling in love with him.”
