"Well... I was daydreaming. I didn't mean it."

After uttering those words, Claudia instantly realized she had made a mistake. In that moment, she wished she could just disappear.

She couldn't bear to confront this embarrassing and harsh reality.

The man gazed at her with a calm demeanor.

Claudia's brow furrowed in response to his reaction.

She understood that his calmness was merely a facade, anticipating the imminent arrival of a real storm.

Inside the car, silence Loomed. The hush was so profound that Claudia could hear her own heartbeat.

For reasons unknown, she sensed Bennett's displeasure whenever the topic of divorce was broached.

Her regret for uttering such words to Bennett was palpable, but the damage had been done, words once spoken could never be retracted.

With her lids shut tight, Claudia set her jaw, leaned towards Bennett and mumbled, “I apologize. I misspoke. If it helps, you may punish me. Here, strike me."

Her child-like demeanor softened Bennett's anger towards her. Loosening his collar, he assured, "There's no need for punishment."

He simply desired to kiss her.

His black eyes surveyed her radiant complexion, as he felt a wave of powerful longing rise within him.

“What?" Claudia fluttered open her eyes to meet Bennett's gaze. Noticing his unchanged expression, she vacillated for a bit and assumed that he was merely extending courtesy towards her.

“Why won't you?" She wondered how Long he would harbor his resentment towards her.

“No.”

“Just reprimand me. I swear, I'll refrain from such foolish talk in the future!" Claudia implored Bennett, employing the same ploy she often used with her father. She was uncertain of its effectiveness on Bennett, but she preferred this to enduring his stern countenance. Once he started conversing with her again, Claudia surmised that her strategy was working.

Seeing him unresponsive, she grasped his wrist.

Bennett felt the warmth of her touch seep through his sleeve.

He glanced at his hand and wrinkled his brows.

“I can't quite reach you. Come a bit closer."

Assessing the gap between them, Claudia inched closer to him, lessening the distance. "Is this better?"

"No, still too far."

She evaluated the space between them once again and shifted closer. She would be leaning against him if she moved any further.