Screaming internally, Claudia jumped out of bed and dashed to the walk-in closet. After she grabbed her pajamas, she sprinted into the bathroom and Locked the door behind her.

Bennett stared at the bathroom door for a moment before his gaze darted to the ring on his finger. He raised his other hand and twisted it.

Claudia emerged from the shower feeling tired. After responding to Aurora's message, she opened Twitter to catch up on the Latest gossip. It was Bennett's turn to take a shower. She wanted to wait for him to finish so that they could sleep together.

The idea was lovely, but her sleepiness did not allow it.

When Bennett walked out of the bathroom, Claudia was already fast asleep. Her phone was still in her hand.

With raised brows, he approached the bed, grabbed the phone, and placed it on the nightstand. He then climbed the bed and gathered Claudia in his arms.

The next morning, a phone call roused Claudia from her sleep.

Jace was calling her. Only then did she remember that today was her twenty-seventh birthday.

“Cece, happy birthday! I had your present delivered to you. It'll be there soon."

“Thank you, Dad! By the way, I'm coming home to have dinner with you tonight."

Jace chuckled and replied, "Don't bother. My friend and I agreed to go fishing tonight. You should go on a date and celebrate your birthday with your husband."

Claudia did not believe his father's words at all, but she did not call him out on his lie because she knew he had good intentions. "Alright. We'll have dinner together tomorrow night then, okay?"

“Sounds good."

When Claudia ended the call, she discovered that she had a lot of unopened messages.

Aurora, Zaria, Joann, and Mathews all sent their birthday greetings as well.

Claudia spent the next ten minutes replying to their messages.

Once she was done, she thought of Bennett.

Did he know that it was her birthday today?

She snapped out of her thoughts when Bennett, who had just finished swimming, walked into the room.

Claudia looked at him in surprise. "Good morning."

“Good morning."

Bennett approached her and said, “Happy birthday, Mrs. Dreskin." Claudia's eyes instantly lit up with joy.

“Thank you."

Bennett smiled. "Mrs. Dreskin, have you always been this easy to please?"