Before she knew it, Bennett had ascended the stairs. Claudia stared at him in a daze.

After his announcement, Bennett approached Claudia and lifted her into his arms.

Inhaling his subtle, woody scent, Claudia instinctively held on to his neck.

“Wheelchairs can be quite a bother," Bennett said, glancing at Claudia.

He then proceeded to carry her out of the room, asking, “Where's your proof of identity?"

"Uh... It's in my room."

Caught off guard by his close proximity, Claudia's mind blanked. She found herself answering his questions mechanically.

When Bennett placed her proof of identity in his pocket, Claudia wanted to protest but found herself silenced by his dark, penetrating gaze.

She inexplicably shrank back, intimidated.

Did she have the audacity to toy with his feelings? Of course not!

Two hours later.

As Claudia sat beside Bennett, she held their marriage certificate, her feelings bordering on disbelief.

It seemed like a dream; she and Bennett were now officially married before she could even wrap her mind around it.

She had meant to explain things and offer her apologies to Bennett en route, but now they were married, throwing her thoughts into disarray.

A torrent of conflicting emotions washed over Claudia as she glanced at Bennett.

She'd heard of Bennett for many years, but never in her wildest dreams did she think this man would end up as her husband.

The moment their vehicle came to a halt, Claudia's mind was still swirling with confusion.

“Are you not pleased with our union, darling?" a deep masculine voice asked.

Startled by the sudden interruption of her thoughts, Claudia’s grip faltered, and the certificate fell onto Bennett's polished shoes.

Bending down to retrieve it, he passed it back to her with a remark, “Apparently, you aren't."

Claudia, flush with embarrassment, quickly replied, "No, that's not it."

Her gaze fell on the certificate, and then recalled their first picture together after becoming husband and wife.