Aurora probed, "But the fact she badmouthed about Bennett anger you more?"

Claudia gradually calmed down. When she saw the meaningful Look in Aurora's eyes, she blushed and said, “Don't think too much. I just think that a good person Like Bennett shouldn't be described by these dirty words!"

"Wow."

Aurora looked at her friend and said, "Tell me the truth. Did you fall in love with him?"

Claudia murmured.

“Then what's got you so worked up?" Aurora refused to back down. Claudia's anger had cooled off. She sighed, saying slowly, “Truth is, I threatened him into marrying me!"

“What!! What are you talking about?"

Aurora was shocked. "You never mentioned this before."

Back then, Claudia had told her that she had pitched the idea of a mutual-beneficial marriage to Bennett, and he had agreed.

So Aurora had always understood that their marriage was a sham. She'd sometimes tease about it, but never took it too seriously.

Now, it seemed things were different...

Embarrassed, Claudia said, "Back then, I was desperate to escape the Nixon family. I was worried you'd think badly of me, so I lied to you a bit."

"You're quite something," Aurora said through gritted teeth.

Claudia dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "It's nothing much." Aurora was left without words.

She realized Claudia's sense of guilt was dwindling over time.

Claudia shared the whole story, and then added, "In reality, Bennett's been more of a bystander in all this. So I don't think it's fair at alli"

She was the driving force behind their arrangement. Bennett had consented to her brash demands, all in the name of accountability.

Claudia's guilt was linked to the unreasonable label being pinned on Bennett.

Aurora didn't know any of this before. But now that she did, she suddenly understood why Claudia was furious just now.

Everly's antics had soured the day. Even though Claudia hadn't picked up Jace's birthday gift, she no longer felt like shopping.

The two of them bought coffee and stood by the window of the boutique with drinks in their hands.

Aurora sipped on her latte and suggested, “Shall we head home?" Claudia looked over, answering, "Sounds like a plan."

Aurora's schedule called for overtime, so dinner plans fell through, and they had to part ways.

Claudia hailed a cab back to the villa, her mind heavy with the day's events, a pang of guilt in her chest.