"He's been asking questions about the twins and their mother. It's clear he's trying to get someone's attention," Collins replied.
Before I could respond, I saw the figure again, standing by the entrance, now engaged in a heated discussion with a couple of guests. The tension in the air thickened as I moved closer, my instincts screaming that I needed to confront this person.
"Stay here with the twins," I instructed Collins as I approached the group. "I'll handle this."
As I drew nearer, I heard snippets of conversation. The hoodie guy was mentioning names—Rebecca, and then a last name that sent shockwaves through me: "Stanton."
"Who are you?" I demanded, stepping into the fray. The figure turned to face me, his hood falling back to reveal a young man, perhaps in his early twenties, with striking features that were eerily familiar.
"I'm Noah," he said, eyes wide with an intensity that made my heart pound. "I'm their uncle."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. "What? Uncle? What are you talking about?"
"Rebecca is my sister," Noah continued, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "I'm here because I need to know what happened. I saw the photos of you with the twins. They look just like us."
Confusion swept through me. "You're saying you're their uncle? How is that possible?"
Noah took a deep breath, his expression softening. "When my sister passed, I learned she had twins. She mentioned their father was someone important, but I didn't know who. After she died, I was searching for answers, and then I saw you with them at the park."
The twins had been listening, their eyes wide with uncertainty. I turned to them, trying to mask my own shock. "Kids, this is Noah. He says he's your uncle."
Lily looked between us, her innocence shining through. "We have an uncle?"
Noah stepped forward cautiously, his gaze gentle. "Yeah, you do. I promise I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to know more about you."
Before I could process everything, Collins arrived, his face pale. "Ryan, we need to talk," he said, glancing at Noah. "Let's move somewhere private."
I led them to a quieter area of the estate, my mind racing. "What does this mean for the twins?" I asked, looking at Noah.
"It means they're part of a legacy—one that involves a lot of wealth and expectations," Noah said. "But I want them to know that they're not just heirs. They're family."
"What do you know about their mother?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued.
"Rebecca was a brilliant woman, but she faced a lot of pressure from her family. She always admired your life from afar," Noah explained. "She used to say that if she had married you, she would have never treated you the way Claire did. She knew about Claire's cheating and it hurt her deeply."
"Wait, how do you know that?" I asked, bewildered.
"She kept tabs on you. It wasn't healthy, but she was always drawn to your success," Noah continued. "I think she had feelings for you long before everything happened. Sadly, she felt trapped by her own family's expectations and agreed to marry someone else."
"What do you mean?" I pressed, trying to connect the dots.
"She had a fiancé, someone her family approved of. That's why she went to that bar that night," Noah revealed, his expression somber. "She got pregnant, but she was terrified. She didn't want to drag you into her complicated life, so she hid. I only discovered her letters after she passed—letters that talked about wanting to reach out to you."
I felt a lump in my throat. "You have letters?"
Noah nodded, pulling out a small, worn envelope from his pocket. "I found them in her belongings. They're all about you and the life she envisioned. It's heartbreaking, really."
He handed me the envelope, and I felt the weight of Rebecca's words before I even opened it. "She was scared to come forward, and now… now I wish I could've helped her."
The twins had been listening intently, their wide eyes taking in the emotional gravity of the conversation. "So, does that mean we can see our uncle more?" Lily asked, hope shining in her gaze.
"Absolutely," Noah said, a smile breaking through his somber demeanor. "I want to be part of your lives. You deserve to know your family."
As we sat together on a bench, Noah shared more stories about Rebecca, how she had always felt she had to choose between love and duty. "Rebecca was always protective of you," he said, glancing at the twins. "She wanted you to have a normal life, free from the pressures of our family. But she loved you both more than anything."
"What was she like?" I asked, curious about the woman I had never truly known.
Noah's expression softened as he reminisced. "She was fierce and kind. Always had a dream to travel the world, to make a difference. She was so talented. I remember she wanted to start a charity for underprivileged children, but our parents pushed her into a corporate life. It broke her heart."
"I wish I could have helped her," I murmured, feeling a wave of regret wash over me. "I would have done anything to support her."
"I know she wanted to reach out to you," Noah replied, his tone serious. "But every time she considered it, she felt the weight of her family's expectations. It was a cycle she couldn't break."
"What happened to her?" I asked, my heart heavy.
"She tried to escape. That night at the bar… she was hoping to start fresh. But when she found out she was pregnant, she panicked. She thought about telling you but ultimately felt it was too late," Noah said, his voice thick with emotion. "She didn't want you to feel trapped like she did."
As the sun began to set, I felt a sense of hope mixed with sorrow. Noah wasn't just a potential complication; he was a bridge to their mother's past and a new family connection.
"What can we do now?" I asked, looking at Noah with determination. "I want the twins to know their family, but I also want to protect them."
"Let's start with honesty," Noah suggested. "Tell them about their mother. They deserve to know where they come from."
"I want them to know that they're loved and wanted," I said, glancing at the twins, who were still absorbing everything. "I'll make sure they understand that their family is bigger than they thought."
"Let me help you with that," Noah offered. "I can share stories, and maybe we can even put together a scrapbook of her life. It might help them connect with her."
"That's a great idea," I said, feeling a surge of gratitude for his willingness to be involved. "And if it's okay with you, I'd like you to spend more time with them."
"I'd love that," Noah replied, a genuine smile crossing his face. "They're a part of me too."
Just then, Lily spoke up, her voice small yet firm. "Can we go see our mom's letters? I want to know more about her."
"Of course," I said, my heart swelling. "We'll read them together."