CHAPTER EIGHTY FIVE - MEETING HER FAMILY

With one last shared glance, they opened the door, plastering on their best surprised-but-delighted expressions. "Mom! Dad!" Karina exclaimed, her voice a touch too high. "What a wonderful surprise!" Her parents, beaming and laden with luggage, swept into the foyer. Her father, a distinguished-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair, clapped Miguel on the shoulder. "Hope you don't mind us dropping in like this," he said jovially. "We were in the area and thought, why not visit our future son-in-law?" Miguel, to his credit, didn't miss a beat. He wrapped an arm around Karina's waist, pulling her close. "Not at all," he said warmly. "We're always happy to see family. Aren't we, darling?" Karina leaned into him, forcing a smile. "Of course. It's wonderful to have you here." As they ushered her parents into the living room, Karina's mind raced. How were they going to maintain this charade for an entire visit? It had been challenging enough with just her mother, but her father was far m