For a moment, I don’t know what to say. I just stare at them, my chest tightening with something dangerously close to rage.
No wonder they clang to Sierra. She gave them the love that was clearly being withheld by Brook.
To them Sierra was hope and love. She was their safe place. Someone to love them when they believed no one else did. No wonder they changed when she entered our lives. I used to think they lost the spark because they lost Chloe but now I know it’s because Brook was torturing them.
I pull them both into me without thinking, wrapping my arms around them as I exhale slowly.
“That’s not true,” I say firmly. “None of that is true. I love you both more than anything. No one is ever going to take you away from me. Do you understand?”
They nod against me, holding onto me a little tighter.
“She’s a bad person,” Nova murmurs. “A very bad and evil person.”
I don’t disagree because she’s right.
I pull back slightly, looking between them. “Did she ever say anything else?” I ask carefully.
They both go quiet for a second, thinking before Nova’s eyes widen slightly.
“She said she had a house,” she says.
“A house?” I repeat.
Nolan nods. “Yeah. She was talking to one of her friends who used to come see her… She told no one knew about… Then she told her that the house was her safe plan incase things never worked out.”
My mind starts moving immediately, pieces shifting into place.
“Did she say where it was?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm despite the way my pulse starts to pick up.
Nova frowns, concentrating. “She said the name… but I don’t remember.”
Disappointment hits instantly, sharp and frustrating.
“It’s okay,” I say. “Don’t force it.”
Instead of dropping it, Nova scrunches her face, clearly trying, her small hands clenching at her sides.
“It was near… um… Van," she trails off, struggling. “Vin… Van-”
I crouch a little closer and ask as a name clicks in my head, “Vantage?”
Her eyes light up immediately. “Yes! That’s it!”
Hope hits me so suddenly it almost knocks the air out of me and knocks me on my ass.
“That’s it?” I ask, needing to be sure.
She nods eagerly. “That’s what she said! Vantage View.”
I pull both of them into me again, peppering them with kisses.
"Daddy," they both giggle, the soft voices calming something inside me.
“Good job,” I murmur. “You did really good.”
“Thanks, Daddy," Nova says. “I’m just happy we were able to help.”
“I need to leave, but be good." I press a kiss to each of them. “And remember that I love you… Never doubt it.”
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