Julie notices my discomfort and comes closer, holding me steady. "What's wrong, Lyra?" she asks, concern evident in her voice.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "He said the same thing before, and that day, I met my uncle as he took my mom away. I was shouting like a deranged woman, pleading for my mom not to be taken away from me."

I pause, the memories still vivid in my mind. "So, as you can see, I'm worried about who he wants me to see this time around."

"Oh, Lyra, I'm so sorry about that, but I trust that today will be different. So,...