I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Harper was stunned.

She didn't know how to answer that.

Harper could only press her lips, looking helplessly at Benjamin. It was as if he had received her silent plea for help but chose not to intervene. Instead, he said coolly, "Harper, Mom's asking you a question. You have to back me up here, otherwise I'll be misunderstood."

His deep gaze fell on her, seemingly carrying a hint of amusement.

'What did Benjamin mean by that?' Harper thought.

It was clear Benjamin was throwing Harper under the bus.

Feeling awkward, Harper replied softly, "Mom, since grandpa is fine, Benjamin and I will head out now. We've planned to go watch a movie together."

Then, pulling Benjamin along, they headed out, Lily's voice following them, "Grandpa would be so happy to hear you're going on a date, he'd wake up right away."

Harper let go of Benjamin's hand once they were in the car.

Benjamin turned to look at Harper beside him and asked softly, "What movie are we going to see?"

"I was just lying to Mom," Harper replied indifferently.

"You always say we shouldn't lie, right?"

"It was a white lie. Even if mom finds out, she won't blame me."

"A white lie?" Benjamin stared at her intently. "So, what are you trying to suggest to me?"

Harper frowned, realizing what he meant.

"I'm not suggesting anything. I didn't say anything. Could you not jump to conclusions," Harper retorted.

"Alright, I won't overthink it. Now that it's just the two of us, tell me, is there anything wrong with my health?" Benjamin asked it sanctimoniously.

"It's your body. How would I know?"

Harper quickly turned her head away, not wanting to continue the conversation.

Yet, Benjamin seemed to insist, as if he wouldn't let it go unless she answered.

her to face him, and looked into

cheeks flushed, and her

did he mean by

she and Lauren never indeed been together?"

pressed her lips, and her actions caught Benjamin's gaze. Images of her stifled moans and murmurs under his kisses invaded his mind, along with

cell phone rang, snapping him back to

It was Harper's phone.

The caller was Frank.

face darkened when he saw the

his reaction, answered the phone in his presence,

how she used to talk to him, but now she

said made a faint smile appear on Harper's face,

since mom misunderstood us going out on a date, why

her eyes lifting to meet

phone. "Harper, are you with

She then softly affirmed.

"You guys are getting a divorce, so

the answer

divorce, and Benjamin acted as if nothing was wrong. In Harper's mind, it must be because he didn't care that

"Let's leave it at this for now; we can talk more at the office tomorrow." After hanging up the phone, Harper looked at Benjamin and said, "Let's just go home. It's not the right time to go to a movie." "Why would

excuse; you didn't have to

you worried Frank might misunderstand

think that? Didn't you say we shouldn't

stepped on the accelerator, and the

silent the whole

She hadn't said anything

other like last night, everyone at Pineview Villa

coddle him. She had figured it out. It was better to rip off the band-aid. If she appeased him, it would only make her more dependent; better to keep

*****

to Chris stepping in, Harper's company maintained its partnership with

cooperation agreement. Summit Realty explained their previous misunderstanding, "Ms. Mitchell, we're truly sorry. We had no idea you were connected to the Mitchell family and such good

offered a faint

secret. Unexpectedly, Benjamin explained to others that they were just excellent friends. Although

Harper and Frank had lunch together. Frank brought up a sensitive topic. "Since you and Benjamin are getting