After finalizing the design plan with her client, Aveline Sutton stood up at her desk, flexed her stiff neck, and reached for her phone.

There was still no message from Xavier Beltran, her husband.

She knew he was on a business trip, but a “Happy Birthday” text would’ve only taken a few

seconds. A pang of frustration washed over her. She dropped the phone back onto the desk, unsure whether to go out for a solo dinner or simply order takeout.