Claudia drank a few mouthfuls of water before setting the glass down and climbing on the bed. She then looked at him questioningly.

"What about you? Aren't you going to sleep yet?"

"I will after I change into my pajamas," Bennett answered as he switched off the overhead light, leaving the night light on.

Claudia hummed in acknowledgment. Soon, she was fast asleep.

What happened to Jace really shook her to her core.

It was probably why she had a nightmare that night.

In her dream, when she and Bennett arrived at the hospital, Jace was already dead. She did not even get to see him before he passed away.

When he was wheeled out of the room, his heart had stopped beating, and Claudia could only stare at his lifeless form helplessly, screaming, "Dad!"

Claudia felt a crushing weight in her chest as tears trickled out of the corner of her eyes.

When she opened her eyes, the dim lighting left her feeling disoriented.

She blinked her eyes a few times, and only then did she realize that she had a nightmare.

It was already bright outside, and Bennett was not on the bed anymore.

The balcony's floor-to-ceiling windows were partially open, and the wind had blown the curtains aside, allowing sunlight to stream in and illuminate the space.

Claudia wiped her tears as she sat up on the bed. Something squeezed her heart when she recalled her dream.

She grabbed the glass she had left the night before on the nightstand and drank from it, disregarding the fact that the water had gone cold.

The water went down her throat, washing away the anxiety brought on by her nightmare. Now, she was completely awake.

Claudia grabbed the remote control for the curtains and drew them back fully.

The room was bathed in light as the sun streamed in.

Next, Claudia retrieved her phone and checked the time. It was already nine o'clock in the morning.

It was already two o'clock in the morning when she went to bed. She was used to sleeping early, so even though she woke up late, she still felt a little drowsy. A sense of lightheadedness washed over her when she stood up.

When she remembered that Jace was still in the hospital, Claudia went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

Marcia quickly stood up from the sofa when she saw Claudia come down the stairs, inquiring, "Mrs. Dreskin, do you want to have breakfast now?"

Claudia nodded as she walked to the counter. She filled a glass with hot water and took it with her to the dining room.

After a few seconds, Marcia brought out a bowl of fish porridge and set it down in front of Claudia.