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.

forcing her to face him, and looked into her eyes. "You're my wife. If

flushed, and her eyes darted

did he

she and Lauren never indeed been

pressed her lips, and her actions caught Benjamin's gaze. Images of her stifled moans and murmurs under his

phone rang, snapping him

It was Harper's phone.

The caller was Frank.

face darkened when he saw the name

his reaction, answered the phone

exactly how she used to talk to him, but now she seemed

said made a faint smile appear on

suggested in a low tone, "Harper, since mom misunderstood us going out on a date, why don't we just

startled, her eyes lifting to meet

through the phone. "Harper,

She then softly affirmed.

divorce, so why is he acting

know the answer

Harper's mind, it must be because he didn't care that he seemed so indifferent. Thinking about this made

at the office tomorrow." After hanging up the phone, Harper looked at Benjamin and said, "Let's just go home.

an excuse; you didn't have to

are you worried Frank might misunderstand something?" Benjamin asked

she replied, "Why would you think that? Didn't you say we shouldn't involve others

didn't respond. He just stepped on the accelerator,

silent the

hadn't said anything

weren't ignoring each other like last night, everyone at Pineview Villa

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

*****

company maintained its partnership with Summit

idea you were

offered a faint smile in

it was a secret. Unexpectedly, Benjamin explained to others that they were

resolving this issue, Harper and Frank had lunch together. Frank brought up a sensitive topic. "Since