But she had no proof.

Settled into the wheelchair, Bennett ushered Claudia into the hospital.

Unconsciously, her fingers traced her earlobe, the one Bennett had pinched earlier.

It felt normal to the touch, yet it radiated a heat, as though it had been seared.

Bennett and Claudia had reached the hospital by half past nine. The CT scan was very fast. Also, since it was quite early, the hospital was not too crowded.

Grabbing a queue number, Bennett steered Claudia's wheelchair towards the check-up line. Just a pair of patients were ahead of them.

Recalling Bennett's words that morning, Claudia proposed, "You could head back to work. My dad will swing by the hospital later. I'll be heading home once the check-up's done.”

“Which home?"

Just then, Bennett's phone began to ring. He glanced at the caller ID but didn't answer instantly.

Caught off guard, Claudia replied, "My home."

"Fine."

His expression turned noticeably icy. "Call me if anything comes up."

Then, Bennett attended to his call. The moment he picked up, his demeanor altered.

“But I..."

Claudia barely started when the man had already turned his back and was heading out. The phrase “I'll move to your place by next week" remained unspoken.

She had a hunch Bennett was upset again.

This facade of a marriage was tough to uphold.

Hearing her name being called by the nurse, Claudia snapped back to reality and navigated her wheelchair into the room.

Even on a weekday, the hospital was bustling with people.

Being alone in a wheelchair made moving around a challenge for Claudia.

But gazing at the immobilization boards still attached to her shin, she felt thankful to be seated. If anyone were to accidentally bump into her, she could easily sustain further injuries.

Claudia managed to elbow her way into the elevator and made her way to the fourth floor to consult her doctor.