Claudia was curious and asked, "Who is it? A close friend? Is this someone I might know? Is it a man or a woman?"

As she spoke, a hint of jealousy crept into her tone.

Bennett looked at her and responded with a teasing smile, "You've met her."

"Then who is she?"

He didn't tell her and said, "You'll find out the next time you see her."

Claudia, hesitating slightly, asked, "Is she someone you used to love?"

Bennett leaned back in the chair with a slight tilt of his head, observing her.

"Claudia, do you hope it was someone I had feelings for or not?"

Embarrassed, Claudia stammered, “Well, the truth remains, whether you had feelings or not. If I say I wish it weren't so, would you assure me she wasn't special to you?"

He was surprised to find that the person who had been timid last time was bold and logical this time.

Bennett looked at her, then admitted, "Yes."

Claudia felt a bit let down, and her eyes lost their sparkle in an instant.

She was aware that at thirty years old, Bennett could have had someone special before. She herself had felt a connection with Anthony.

But when she heard him admit it, Claudia couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

However, she was aware that she shouldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment .

Shaking off her feelings, she tried to keep the conversation light.

"She must have been quite a beauty."

He smiled, "Yes, she was beautiful."

"She must have had a gentle side as well."

Bennett's eyes twinkled with an even brighter smile.

"Well, that's a matter of opinion." He lowered his eyes.

“She had her gentle side, yet she was full of life."

Seeing him like this, Claudia couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy welling up inside her.

She turned her eyes away, pursed her lips, calmed herself down, and turned back to him, and asked, “Why didn't things work out between you two?"