Javier stood outside the gate, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his jacket, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he surveyed the house before him. It was a modest, two-story dwelling, its whitewashed walls and red tiled roof gleaming in the midday sun. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and the chirping of birds, but despite the idyllic setting, Javier couldn't shake the sense of unease that settled in his stomach like a lead weight.

Javier's stepfather had invited him and his Mother here, to meet his step sibling for the first time. It was a chance to start fresh, to build a new family, but Javier couldn't help but feel like he was walking into the lion's den. He just waited for you to answer the door.