She shifted from her wheelchair and slid into the car.

Bennett stored the wheelchair in the back and settled into the driver's seat.

Soon, the black Bentley sped past a stunned Anthony.

Stunned by Claudia's slap, Anthony could only watch as the Bentley receded into the distance.

It was only when the vehicle disappeared from his view that he snapped out of his daze and hurriedly dashed back to his car.

Twelve years of knowing Claudia had passed without the faintest hint of her connection to Bennett. The sudden revelation of their marriage was difficult to comprehend, let alone believe. It simply didn't seem feasible that Claudia and Bennett were actually in love with each other.

After the Bentley left the neighborhood, it wasn't long before a red traffic Light forced it to a halt. Bennett glanced at the rearview mirror. His long eyelashes cast a veil over his eyes, successfully hiding the icy cruelty Lurking within.

With the flicker of the green light, Bennett gradually fired up the engine again.

Ten minutes later, the car stopped again.

“Claudia.”

Claudia had been feigning sleep, her eyes tightly shut. Her inadvertent touch of Bennett's Adam's apple earlier had stirred emotions she couldn't bear to face.

She couldn't comprehend what had led her to do that, a simple yet confounding touch.

Despite Bennett's Lack of reproach, Claudia was bathed in shame.

At the sound of Bennett's voice, Claudia's heart missed a beat.

She slowly opened her eyes and rubbed them. “Did you call me?"

“Are you sleepy?" Bennett asked, his gaze soft yet penetrating.

His stare made Claudia uneasily self-conscious. She immediately sat up straight, much like a student under the watchful eye of a stern teacher.

“I wasn't sleeping. Just resting my eyes," she responded, swiftly trying to veer the conversation elsewhere. “What is it? Busy with something?"

Claudia's gaze instinctively Landed on Bennett.

His fingers were Lightly tapping on the steering wheel, his expression calm and composed.

"No."

His lips twitched slightly, and he raised his hand, gesturing towards the rearview mirror outside the window. "I'm afraid we won't be able to have a midnight snack tonight."