“If you're drunk, how can you admit it? This is the third time, Miss Marshall. Don't forget, our marriage is but an act. Please don't overstep the boundary!"

I'm drunk."

Claudia's eyes snapped open to the sound of her ringing phone.

She looked at the ceiling, her face turned pale as she recalled Bennett's words from her dream.

He was right. She shouldn't have overstepped the boundary.

Regaining her composure, Claudia got up and freshened up.

Upon reaching the dining table, she found Bennett enjoying breakfast. He glanced at her, inquiring, "Sleep troubles?"

Claudia simply shook her head. "No."

She took a seat across from him as Marcia served her meal and retreated to the kitchen.

Now, only Bennett and Claudia remained, and her thoughts kept circling back to the words Bennett had said in her dream. "Please don't overstep the boundary."

She hung her head, her once appetizing breakfast now bland in her mouth.

Her hunger had left her. She barely ate a third of her meal. On the other side, Bennett had finished eating. Noticing her lack of appetite, his brow furrowed.

“Have you had enough?"

She looked at him briefly, replying, just don't feel like eating." His eyes bore into her as he asked, "Is it because of yesterday's incident? I apologize. I was drunk yesterday afternoon and treated you poorly."

The memory of their kiss made Claudia flush, her eyes averted.

“No, I just have a poor appetite.”

She knew yesterday's kiss had been partly her doing, too.

"Really?" Bennett questioned, taking a wet tissue and wiping his hands slowly.

Claudia's hands trembled at his words. "Ye-Yes," she stammered, then forced a smile. "Mr. Dreskin, you can head off to work now. Sometimes, my appetite just isn*t there.”

Bennett's eyes lingered on her for a moment before he responded simply, “Okay.”

Without further inquiry, he left the table.

Two steps later, he paused and glanced back at a relieved Claudia. "I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday afternoon."

“No, you're welcome,” Claudia responded, feeling in comparison that she had been the one to cause more trouble.

Bennett's gaze shifted, and he turned to ascend the stairs.