When I agreed to go on a vacation with my fiancé and his twin daughters, I thought we were simply taking a break from wedding planning. I never expected the trip would include a mysterious note, a sudden disappearance—and a surprise that left me speechless.
I met Matt three years ago at a charity event. He was confident and charming, but what really stood out was how devoted he was to his five-year-old twin daughters, Ella and Sophie. I didn’t have much experience with kids, but they quickly became a joyful part of my life. They would rush up to me with school stories, giggling and smiling—and slowly but surely, I fell in love with all three of them.
A year ago, after a cozy dinner the girls helped prepare, Matt proposed. It was the easiest “yes” I’d ever given. I moved in, and before long, we were knee-deep in wedding planning—venue visits, dress fittings, and color palettes galore.
Still, the process started to wear on Matt. One evening, he suggested we hit pause and take a short family vacation. “One last calm moment before the big day,” he said. I agreed, even though I was anxious to keep planning.
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