Alex looked him over, his face a mix of curiosity and caution. “Hi,” he said, his voice small but clear.

As David engaged Alex, Margaret signaled a waiter for more champagne, clearly rattled. Her friends circled around her, whispering in hushed tones, eager to dissect the news.

I almost felt sorry for her. She had orchestrated this evening to showcase her triumph, her family’s supposed superiority, and instead, here was a crack in the facade—a very human crack named Alex.