Those had been dark and difficult years, and Jade carried the full weight of those memories alone. She had never shared a word of it with Aliana, shielding her best friend from the grim reality of her home life.
Because despite everything, she still loved her parents and her brother.
Even now, with her relationship with them strained to the breaking point, that same love was what had brought her here today.
She stared at her brother, who rose from his seat the moment he noticed her approach.
"Little sister," Owen said, stepping forward. He leaned in to brush a light kiss against her cheek before stepping back. "How are you?"
"Fine. And you?" Her eyes drifted downward, checking his left foot, the one she knew had been injured in the accident.
"Good," Owen replied, gesturing toward her seat before sitting down.
The server stepped up to the table. "May I get you something to drink?"
"Two cappuccinos," Owen answered for them both before the server nodded and walked away.
