“The kids are alive,” she said quietly.
“Yes.”
“What did you do, Nicole?”
“I thought nothing bad would happen. I just went to a party… I needed a break.”
“You left them alone for three days. Our daughter almost died.”
Tears slid down her face.
“I know.”
Ryan crossed his arms.
“This changes everything. I’m keeping the kids.”
“Are you taking them from me?”
“It’s not punishment. It’s protection.”
Nicole admitted the man she’d been with had turned violent in the car. They fought, crashed, and he left her there.
Ryan just shook his head.
“You’re lucky they survived.”
“Tell me how they are.”
“Lily is stable. And Ethan acted like a grown man. He saved his sister.”
Nicole cried silently, and Ryan left without another word.
The first few weeks at home were brutal. Lily refused to sleep alone. Ethan woke up crying. Ryan had to learn fast—meals, baths, comfort, routines, everything.
A child psychologist told him both kids were deeply stressed. Ethan felt responsible for protecting Lily. Lily no longer trusted adults.
“What do I do?” Ryan asked.
“Show up. Give them stability. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
So he did.