The cafe was quiet, tucked away in an old Manila side street where the noise barely reached. Roman and Alexa stepped in together, scanning the room.

Lisa spotted them instantly. She shot up from her seat, nearly toppling her coffee, and rushed over.

“My daughter,” she exclaimed, wrapping Alexa in a fierce hug. “Oh, my poor girl. I thought I would never get to see you again.”

Alexa let out a shaky laugh. “Lisa, I've missed you, too.”

“You think a few years in New York could ...