It was a **newborn baby**.

My hands trembled as I unfolded the second note.

*”Her name is Lily. She’s my daughter. I couldn’t abandon her… or let her end up in the wrong hands. Please take care of her. And please, protect the girls. I’ll be back when it’s safe. Trust me. —Matt.”*

I dropped to my knees, heart pounding. A million questions collided in my head—**who was the mother? Why the secrecy? Why now?** The twins peeked over my shoulder, and Sophie whispered, “Is that our sister?”

I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that Matt was gone… and he’d left behind **three little girls**, now depending on **me**.

I held Lily close. Her tiny face scrunched up, and I couldn’t help but cry.

He had shattered our world… but somehow, handed me a new one to protect.

**Moral?**
Sometimes, love doesn’t come with explanations—it comes with responsibility, pain, and choices. But true love isn’t in the words someone says. It’s in the people they leave in your care… and what you do next.