The Unexpected Visitor

"Ava, darling! You look absolutely stunning!"

The effusive compliment startled Ava out of her brooding thoughts. She turned to see a stylish older woman gliding towards her, arms outstretched.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Ava asked, plastering on a polite smile.

"Oh, forgive me! I'm Evelyn, Jackson's mother." The woman air-kissed Ava's cheeks, enveloping her in a cloud of expensive perfume. "I've been dying to meet the woman who finally snagged my son!"

Ava's smile felt frozen on her face. Jackson's mother. The one person who might see through their charade.

"It's so lovely to meet you, Evelyn. Jackson's told me so much about you." The lie tripped off her tongue with surprising ease.

Evelyn trilled a laugh. "All good things, I hope! Now, let me look at you." She held Ava at arm's length, her gaze assessing. "Well, aren't you just a vision! No wonder Jackson's been hiding you away."

Ava fought the urge to squirm under that penetrating stare. Did Evelyn suspect the truth? That their marr