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.

grabbed her, forcing her to face him, and looked into

and her

did he mean

she and Lauren never indeed been

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

phone rang, snapping

It was Harper's phone.

The caller was Frank.

face darkened when he saw the name on the

his reaction, answered the phone in his

to him, but now she seemed like a hedgehog showing

said made a faint smile appear on

knowing why, Benjamin suddenly suggested in a low tone, "Harper, since mom misunderstood us going out on a date,

eyes lifting

the phone. "Harper, are you with

She then softly affirmed.

getting a divorce,

the answer to

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

now; we can talk more at the office tomorrow." After hanging up the phone, Harper looked at

excuse; you didn't have to take it seriously," Harper said

might misunderstand

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

stepped on the accelerator,

silent the whole

said anything incorrectly, but

ignoring each other like last night, everyone at Pineview Villa could

rip off the band-aid. If she appeased him, it would only make her more dependent; better to keep their relationship

*****

in, Harper's company

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 friends with Mr. Martin. You should have told us earlier, and we could have avoided

a faint smile in

close friends, and to the outside world, it was a secret. Unexpectedly, Benjamin explained to others that they were just excellent friends. Although it wasn't a problem, it

up a sensitive topic. "Since you