Alex had chosen a big café in his large gated estate. It was the kind of place that gave off wealth and privacy. It had shiny glass walls and minimalist furniture. I had been here once before with my parents, back when Alex was still just “Uncle Alex,” my dad’s best friend and the man who had always treated me like a niece. Now, the thought of him made me uncomfortable.
I admired every building in the estate as I walked through the gates, wishing we lived there instead. I paused outside the café, my hands sweaty and my heart racing. People walked around me, laughing and chatting as if the world wasn’t falling apart. I wished I could disappear into the crowd, but I knew that wasn’t even part of the options I had.
With a deep breath, I pushed open the door, hoping no one my parents knew wo
