~LAYLA~
"Nice view, huh?" Axel said, glancing at me as we rounded another curve. "Might be good to get away, clear our heads."
The mountain estate came into view as Axel steered the SUV up the winding road, the lake glimmering under the late afternoon sun like scattered diamonds.
We hadn't said much on the two-hour drive. The silence was heavy, filled with the memory of our last real moment, the night he'd pulled away, citing the contract. Now we were at Vance's couples' retreat, forced to pretend we were the perfect couple for the weekend.
I stared out the window, deliberately ignoring his attempt at small talk.
"Sure," I muttered, arms crossed tightly over my chest.
He let out a sigh that sounded weary and frustrated at once. "Layla, I know things are…"
"Let's just get through this," I cut him off as he pulled into the gravel parking lot. "That's all we need to do."
