The two entered the villa. Jace took off his shoes and put on his slippers while Claudia went to get him a glass of water.

"I'd Like to spend the night here. It's been a while since the last time I did."

Jace's concerns, which had just been allayed, were reawakened by her words.

He took the glass from Claudia's hand, asking, "If Bennett will be attending a dinner party tonight, doesn't that mean he'll be drinking?

If so, then don't you have to be home to take care of him?

Claudia froze when she realized that she had made a mistake.

She swallowed nervously. Since she had not spent the night at her father's place since she got married and had never expressed any intention of doing so before, she thought Jace would not say no.

Claudia sighed inwardly. She did not want her father to overthink the situation, so she did not push the matter further. Clearing her throat, she said, "You're right."

To celebrate Claudia's return, Chana prepared all of her favorite dishes.

Following dinner, Claudia and Jace went for a walk.

Afterward, Jace asked Claudia to play chess with him.

Claudia, who had not played chess in a long time, was quickly defeated in under ten minutes.

"You seem out of it," Jace commented.

Only then did Claudia remember that she left her phone in her room.

It had been three hours since she had last checked it, so she had no idea whether or not Bennett had messaged her.

She took in Jace's teasing smile and forced herself to calm down.

Claudia held on for twenty minutes before she lost the match yet again.

Jace glanced at his watch and remarked, "It's already eight. I'll have the driver send you home."

Claudia did not protest.

She was drinking water when Elmo walked into the house, ushering Bennett inside. "Mr. Dreskin is here!"

Claudia's hand shook, and she nearly loosened her grip on the glass.

She raised her head and met Bennett's eyes.

Her heart stopped beating for a second, and then it began pounding wildly in her chest.

Bennett observed her for a moment before taking a seat next to her.