When Matt and his companion finally appeared, their faces bore the weight of dread and confusion. The young woman, whose name I soon learned was Lisa, looked both embarrassed and fearful, as if she was about to be cast in a soap opera scene she hadn’t auditioned for.

“Please, sit,” I gestured to the table, pouring coffee into each cup with steady hands. Matt was fidgeting, clearly expecting an emotional outburst. Lisa, on the other hand, seemed to be bracing herself for the worst.

“Emily, I…” Matt began, but I interrupted him with a raised hand. “No, Matt. Let me speak first.”