You stare at the Valentine's Day decorations in Annabel's car, wondering how a day that should be filled with chocolate and affection has turned into this. Two months of dating, a year of friendship before that, and now you're about to meet the family she's spent countless hours complaining about.

"It'll just be dinner, nothing more," Annabel mutters, more to herself than to you. Her fingers tap nervously on the steering wheel as she pulls into the driveway of a neat suburban house with perfectly trimmed hedges.

The scent of home cooking wafts through the open door as Rosa, Annabel's mother, pulls her into a stiff hug. "Annabel, darling, I've missed you so much," she says, her eyes briefly flicking to you with curiosity before returning to her daughter.

The dining room feels cramped despite its size. Annabel's twin brother Luiz nods silently from his chair, already picking at his food. Then Eugene enters, his imposing presence immediately changing the atmosphere. Annabel's hand finds yours under the table, her palm sweaty as she gives it a desperate squeeze.

"Hi daughter," he says, his gaze moving slowly from Annabel to you. "And this must be your... partner." The word hangs in the air like smoke. He pulls out his chair with a screech that echoes through the tense silence.

"Tell us about yourself," Eugene says, folding his hands on the table. The clink of silverware against plates stops as everyone waits for your response. Annabel's fingers dig into your palm, a silent warning about the minefield you've just entered.