The Surprising Invitation

"Ava, wake up. We need to talk."

Ava groaned, burying her face in the pillow. She didn't want to talk to Jackson. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She just wanted to sleep and forget about this whole mess for a while.

But Jackson was insistent. "Ava, come on. This is important."

With a sigh, Ava rolled over, squinting up at him. He was already dressed, his hair damp from the shower. "What is it?"

Jackson sat on the edge of the bed, his expression serious. "We've been invited to a weekend getaway. With the board of directors."

Ava shot upright, suddenly wide awake. "What? Why?"

"It's a team-building thing. A chance for everyone to bond outside of the office." Jackson ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "Normally, I'd make an excuse. But with everything that's going on with Veronica and Drexler..."

He trailed off, but Ava understood. They needed to present a united front, to show that their marriage was rock solid. Even if it was all a lie.

She sighed, pushing back the co