His words filled her with a comforting warmth.

For a split second, the setting felt eerily familiar to Claudia.

While she was lost in thought, Bennett below her chuckled.

“Having second thoughts about jumping?"

Snapping back to her senses, Claudia leapt into his waiting arms.

The man's strong arms firmly caught her, and the familiar wooden fragrance instantly came to her nose.

She gazed up at his striking face, asking, "Bennett, had we met before?"

His eyelashes fluttered as he tightened his grip on her and asked, “Had we?"

“I can't recall ever meeting you," she muttered.

“If we had met before, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have forgotten your face."

He tut-tutted, squatted down while holding her in his arms, picked up the high heels and put them on her feet again.

Claudia had particularly sensitive feet. As the man gently raised her feet to slip the high heels on, his fingers brushed against her skin, causing her to involuntarily flinch.

Bennett finished helping her with the shoes and asked, "Did I hurt you?"

She glanced at her feet and shook her head.

"I'm okay."

Adjusting her stance, she ensured her shoes sat comfortably.

In the enveloping darkness, he didn't notice the blush on her ears.

Holding his hand, she inquired, "Where is your mother's grave?"

Her soft voice seemed to be able to break through the darkness of the night.

Hearing her soft voice, Bennett mused that if his mother were alive, she'd surely adore Claudia.

"It's further in."

They ventured deeper into the cemetery.

The eastern cemetery, situated in the distant suburb and nestled at the mountain's base, saw very few visitors except for those who came to pay respects and maintain the graves.

The green plants grew savagely, so that even in the middle of the night in summer, there was a sense of coldness around them.