How could she say something such to him? And so easily at that! Bennett just silently stared at her.

Claudia zipped up her mouth. With her head Lowered, she placed her hand on the table. She rubbed her nails against it gently. However, a harsh scrapping sound was then heard.

Her hand trembled in the air before she said, “Sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

Staring at the woman in front of him, Bennett felt she now resembled a distressed bunny with drooping ears.

He dragged his sight somewhere else and stood up.

“Just know that you are an exception, Claudia."

As Claudia looked up at him, her heart gave a thump and then began to race.

After a moment's pause, Bennett continued, "Because you are my wife.” Embarrassed, Claudia's cheeks reddened. She realized she had been indulging in wishful thinking.

“Next time you're unsure about something, come straight to me. There's no need for you to make assumptions on your own.”

And with that, he left.

Claudia watched him walk away, chin resting in her hand, her gaze turning towards the distant orange hues of the sunset, deep in contemplation.

Had she managed to upset Bennett again?

What had she done to anger him this time?

Why was his temper so volatile?

These questions echoed without answers.

Despite her efforts to gauge Bennett's mood that day, Claudia remained in the dark.

Living with Bennett wasn't as intimidating as she'd initially thought. As time went by, she even began to comprehend how he was able to elevate the Segarine Group.

He was a man always engrossed in his work.

For an entire week, Claudia never managed to catch him before retiring for the night. Yet, every morning she'd find him at the table, calmly partaking in his breakfast.

Coexisting in this way was comfortable enough for Claudia. After all, their relationship was a farce.

Three days into her stay, Claudia received a call from Jace, which was infrequent thereafter.

Anthony, on the other hand, remained persistent. He switched numbers multiple times to send her messages in the dead of night.

However, Claudia had moved on. She recognized there was no connection ‘left between her and Anthony.

Reading Anthony's messages in the middle of the night, Claudia was forced to confront her past naive self.