The reaction in the group chat was instant.

Breck said, "What?"

Duncan echoed, "What the heck?"

Grover Yates was also taken aback. "What on earth did he just say?"

“How does Bennett have a wife?" Breck asked.

“Is he flaunting a love affair?"

“Is this for real?" Duncan queried, tagging Bennett.

“So the news was real? They're really married?!" Grover added.

Having drained his glass of the Last few sips of iced water, Bennett made his way back into the house.

The living room was silent. Claudia had not turned on the TV.

He settled down on the sofa and posed the question, “Are you planning to return tonight?"

Claudia checked her phone for the time. "You get some rest. I'll call someone for a ride soon."

“Unless I'm wrong, he's still waiting outside."

Claudia, of course, knew exactly who Bennett was referring to.

He picked up the remote, switched on the TV, and in a moment, a CCTV feed of the front door filled the screen.

A black Benz was parked across the street, its driver's window down as Anthony puffed on a cigarette inside.

Bennett's guess had been right.

Anthony hadn't left.

A shadow crossed Claudia's countenance. She finally understood, Anthony hadn't surrendered yet.

Tightening her lips, she raised her gaze to meet Bennett's, uttering awkwardly, "I guess I won't be going home tonight."

Fiddling with her fingers, anxiety seeped into her every pore. Would Bennett deny her a night's refuge here?

“It's nice to get settled a bit early.”