Luis stared at my reaction for a moment before walking away, muttering under his breath. I remained pensive; this was not just any dinner. I was certain they were coming to verify whether our marriage was a genuine relationship. They surely suspected something and wanted to observe my actions. Notably, they hadn't invited my grandparents—that was good, very good. I needed to think this through, to have an explanation for everything.

I wouldn't be caught off guard so easily; I would prepare thoroughly and shadow Luis's lead. I had noticed how gregarious he became when we socialised with his friends on the yacht parties; he managed those interactions with aplomb,...