I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Chapter 31 Lauren Moves In

Harper looked up at him. "How could that be?"

"What are you trying to say now?"

"I didn't do anything."

"We usually eat together, but today I didn't hear from you at all. Did you fulfill your duties as a wife?"

Benjamin's words were sharp, filled with profound dissatisfaction.

Harper responded with a resigned smile, "Benjamin, you can neglect your own health for Ms. Davis, how am I supposed to know if you'll come home for dinner? Besides, if I call you, I can't be sure Ms. Davis won't answer. Why should I bother calling if it might be her?"

Harper was still upset about last night's incident because he had disregarded his health, something Harper couldn't let go of.

But Benjamin didn't see it that way.

Benjamin said, "Are you mad at me because of what happened at the restaurant?"

"Are you talking about how you chose to dine with Ms. Davis instead of Lily and me or how she hugged you right in front of us?"

Benjamin shouldn't have brought it up, but he did, deliberately.

It was like rubbing salt into Harper's wounds, and it hurt her deeply.

Benjamin narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "It was just a misunderstanding. Did you expect me to let her fall without helping her?"

"I didn't say that."

"But isn't that what you mean?"

"Benjamin, if you think so poorly of me, why bother explaining it was just a misunderstanding?"

Harper was beginning to realize that she no longer knew this man.

The conversation made the atmosphere tense.

Draven, at that moment, brought Benjamin's tableware to the table. Seeing them deep in conversation, he quickly withdrew without saying a word.

After sitting down at the dinner table, Benjamin finally said, "You knew I was going to have Italian food with Lauren, so you deliberately brought mom along? Haven't I made it clear that during this marriage, I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you? Why must you be so aggressive?'

Harper was speechless.

She stared at him in disbelief and asked, "So you're saying I intentionally brought Lily? Benjamin, you can favor Lauren, but you can't wrong me like this. It was Lily chose the restaurant; how was I supposed to know you'd be there too?"

Benjamin watched her intently as if weighing the truth of her words.

He responded indifferently, "Didn't you hear her mention she wanted to eat Italian food when I was on the phone with you?'

"If you're convinced it was me, then so be it, she said, not wanting to explain further as it seemed pointless. After all, he had already made up his mind about her, so why waste words?"

Not loving someone can be clearly demonstrated at any time and in any situation.

This year of marriage, respectful yet distant, had almost fooled her into thinking this was normal for a couple. She now realized it was because Lauren was not around.

What she was experiencing now was the actual state of her marriage with Benjamin.

Of course, she had tried countless times to save this marriage and hold on to Benjamin, but it was fruitless, for his eyes held only Lauren, never once seeing her.

Rather than letting it end in his contempt, she preferred to cut it off cleanly now.

The meal was far from enjoyable. Benjamin's doubts and misunderstandings had entirely ruined Harper's appetite. Harper felt sick both emotionally and physically. And she spat out everything she ate. Of course, she made sure to avoid Benjamin when she did.

The following day, Harper left for work early, taking her car instead of asking Benjamin for a ride.

"Here's the contract we've signed with Summit Realty, Harper. Would you like to take a look?" Frank asked, handing her the document when she arrived at the office.

Harper shook her head. "You handle it," she replied.

"Alright," Frank said, placing the contract down and taking a seat in the chair in front of his desk. He looked at Harper intently and asked, "In a couple of days, we'll be meeting with the head of Summit Realty at the Martin Group to submit our designs. We'll be working closely with the Martin Group for the next six months, which means we'll inevitably run into Benjamin. What are your plans?"

Harper was taken aback for a moment. "What plans?"

"About the divorce."

"Grandpa is still in a coma, so the divorce can only be postponed. As for the partnership, since we've worked hard to secure it, we must continue. This collaboration will bring huge profits to the company. Even if I leave Mayby after divorcing Benjamin, others in the company can still benefit from this project and continue in the industry."

Harper believed that, no matter what, she must leave a way out for the company's people.

This was her principle and bottom line.

Frank's gaze was profound, his gentle and scholarly face carrying a hint of mysterious depth.

After a long while, he said, "Alright, I will support your every decision."

Harper pressed her lips together, knowing Frank's thoughts well. She whispered, "Frank, actually, you don't have to keep sacrificing yourself like this, I..."

"Harper, I've told you before that everyone insists on certain things. For you, this may be a sacrifice, but for me, it's something that makes me happy."

Frank had told her a long time ago that there was no need for any pressure, and she shouldn't feel guilty because it was his choice, unrelated to anyone else. Harper said no more, her eyes meeting Frank's in a glance, both of them sharing a faint smile.

Harper worked until around seven in the evening before finally getting home.

Harper pushed open the gates of Pineview Villa and stepped inside. As she reached the entrance hall to change her shoes, she immediately noticed a pair of ladies' flat shoes. She squinted slightly, a subconscious possibility flickering in her mind, yet her heart still clung to the last thread of hope.

As she walked in, her gaze ultimately fell on the sofa in the living room where Lauren sat beside Benjamin, her husband. Seeing this, Harper didn't know how to describe her feelings.

It was really hurt.

But it wasn't that intense, she was numbness.

At that moment, Draven came downstairs and spotted her. "Oh, Harper's back."

Harper murmured in acknowledgment, and both of the people in the living room turned their heads toward her.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Harper looked at them indifferently. She thought, "We haven't divorce. This is still my home. The one who should feel uncomfortable here should be someone else, not me." She walked over.

Draven followed behind her and said, "Benjamin, the room has been prepared. If Ms. Davis needs anything else, just let me know, and I'll have it arranged immediately." "Alright, thank you," Benjamin replied softly.

Draven went to attend to the kitchen tasks.

Harper gleaned some information from Draven's words. She looked at Benjamin with a cold gaze, and he returned the look.

Benjamin said, "Lauren was discharged from the hospital today. She hasn't found a suitable place to stay yet, so she'll be staying here for a while."

After Benjamin finished speaking, Lauren quickly added, "Harper, sorry for the inconvenience. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Harper didn't make Lauren eye contact. She just kept her eyes on Benjamin.

"Benjamin, you mean that she will stay at our home?"

Harper's voice was cold as she asked the question.