CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE - CLOSER THAN EVER

    They fell into their old routine without even thinking about it. Luis picked off the mushrooms, piling them onto Nia's plate. "Some things never change," Nia laughed. As the afternoon wore on, the conversation flowed more easily. They didn't address the elephant in the room - Nia's conviction, their parents' disbelief in her innocence - but it was a start. When Luis finally stood to leave, he hesitated for a moment before pulling Nia into a tight hug. "I've missed you, sis," he murmured. Nia hugged him back, tears threatening to spill over. "I've missed you too, little brother." As she closed the door behind him, Nia leaned against it, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. There was still so much left unsaid, so many bridges to rebuild. But for the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of hope. The next day, Maria sat at a small table in an out-of-the-way café, nervously fidgeting with her coffee cup. She checked her watch for the third time in as many minutes. Where was