Now I was learning to let them step away, carrying the knowledge that being loved did not mean being kept.

<strong>PART 18</strong>

By summer, Julian and Nathan were exchanging messages regularly.

They talked about science, music, and the strange experience of discovering family connections through a stage announcement.

Zachary remained polite but distant.

He didn’t resent their friendship, and Julian never pressured him.

One weekend Julian invited both twins to an outdoor science festival.

He added a note saying Brian and Carla would not attend unless explicitly invited.