Baylee’s POV
The plane hums quietly beneath us, but my heart’s pounding like a drum. James and Megan sit across from me, legs swinging off the seat, holding hands without even realizing it. They look so small, so tired, but they’re safe now. That should feel like enough.
It doesn’t.
Caden’s somewhere behind me, giving me space. He couldn’t find the words. I promised I’d try, but now that I’m looking into their wide, waiting eyes… my voice is stuck in my throat.
Still, I owe them the truth—or at least the kind that doesn’t break their hearts.
I sit forward slowly and give them the softest smile I can manage.
“Okay,” I say gently, “James, Megan… I need you both to be really brave right now, alright?”
They nod together, twin little bobbleheads, eyes locked on mine.
“Remember those bad
