"She was happy in her new family until I turned seven, until she faked her death and disappeared," I said. "Then she changed her name. She built a life away from her own kids. And I don't understand why. What happened in New York? What happened with my biological father? Why did my mom fake her death when I was seven years old?"

"Trouble," Rachel said, repeating what appeared to be her favorite word. "She thought she'd escaped it, but then it found her again. She didn't want to put you or your sister in danger, so she made the difficult decision to leave. She had to protect you."

"Why are you being so vague? Why didn't she go to the police? Why didn't you? What exactly is the trouble you're talking about?"

"It's complicated."

"Well, I'm sure when the police talk to you, they'll find a way to uncomplicate it."

"You can't go to the police. You can't tell them about me."

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because it could get your mother killed. You have no idea what's going on."

"Because you're not telling me," I said in frustration.

Rachel's lips tightened. "The last thing your mother would want me to do is tell you the truth and put you in danger. You need to go home."

"I'm not leaving without knowing the truth, without making sure she's safe."

"Where's your sister? Where's Dani?"

"She's in Carmel. She's pregnant, and she can't be stressed out. She can't be here."

Rachel nodded, a gleam in her eyes. "You're protecting her the way your mother always protected me."

"You are twins, aren't you?"

"Yes. It's been the two of us against the world almost since we were born. We'd do anything for each other, no matter the cost."

"Do you have kids?"

"No. I wouldn't have made a good mother."

"My mom was a good mother until she left."

"It broke her heart, Brynn."

I shook my head, telling myself not to care about my mother's broken heart. "She doesn't get to be the victim. She's the one who caused the heartbreak."

"I know she hurt you and your sister. She knows it, too. But it was to protect you."

"Well, I'm old enough to protect myself now. We need to go to the police. Or at least to the PI I'm working with. He can help us. But you have to tell us where to start. You have to give us a name."

Rachel gave me a long look, then turned her gaze back to the ocean. "I always seem to end up at a beach," she said.

I frowned at the odd comment. "What does that mean?"

"Just thinking how many times I've run to the ocean before making a momentous decision. I've seen a lot of water in my life."

"I've actually done the same thing," I said, feeling an odd connection to her.

"Some things pass from generation to generation."