She even conjectured that Bennett's agreement to their marriage might be linked to his past romantic interest.

Cupping her face, she questioned, "Do I resemble her? My eyes or nose? Do we share similarities?"

This was her first experience being a “substitute,” which stirred a hint of curiosity in her.

Bennett glanced at Claudia, his Adam's apple shifting noticeably.

He nudged her to settle down in her seat. "Sit."

"ALL right."

Claudia complied, but her curiosity about the matter hadn't diminished. She turned to probe further, but her vision was abruptly obscured by a large hand. "Have some rest."

"I'm not tired," Claudia retorted, a hint of embarrassment in her tone. His warm palm rested over her eyes, covering a significant portion of her face.

Her face heated up, and she gently tugged his hand away.

As her sight cleared, she once again met his penetrating gaze.

"Iam," he said.

He had spent the previous night awake, tangled in his thoughts.

Bennett's words were softly whispered, a crack of emotion piercing through his voice.

With guilt prickling her, Claudia refrained from teasing him. "Rest your eyes, then."

“Be quiet."

“Understood.”

She didn't believe she was causing such a ruckus.

Suddenly, silence claimed the car. As Claudia glanced out the window, a wave of anxiety washed over her.

She hadn't shared a home with a man since reaching adulthood, except for her father of course.

Despite being married and sharing a home, their relationship was supposed to be merely a facade. To complicate matters further, the person she was going to reside with was Bennett. It was completely understandable for her to feel overwhelmed and unsettled by the situation.

And Bennett's villa only had one bedroom...

The car's confined space was filled with Bennett's earthy, woody aroma. This scent seemed to cast a tranquil spell on her. She inhaled, slowly succumbing to sleep.