She had feared that he might turn up earlier, so she had promptly risen, freshened up and changed into her outfit for the day.

For over two decades, Claudia had called this place home, and the idea of leaving it behind saddened her. The distant roar of a car engine outside her estate brought her back to reality.

Swiftly wheeling herself to the balcony, she looked down at the entrance.

It was indeed Bennett!

As if on cue, her secondary alarm rang out.