I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Chapter 29 Not Entirely Beyond Hope

Harper shook her head, "Lily, let's go eat. He's busy."

A flicker of indifference crossed her eyes.

He wouldn't have lunch with her. He only wanted to be with his beloved, Lauren.

She was nothing for Benjamin.

Harper laughed scornfully at herself, feeling utterly insignificant.

A man's disinterest can be so absolute.

She didn't even need to persist.

Lily booked the restaurant where they were dining.

It was an upscale establishment, a long-standing venue in Mayby, not far from the hospital.

They took a private booth and ordered three dishes and a soup.

It was the first time Lily and Harper had dined alone together, but there was no awkwardness at all, thanks to Lily's gentle nature and knack for conversation.

She asked Harper, "Is everything going smoothly at work? If you need anything, just reach out to Benjamin. If you're hesitant to talk to him, you can always come to me or Scott. We're here to support you."

Harper smiled in gratitude. "Thanks, Lily. Things are okay for now. Benjamin helped me out with a problem a few days ago."

"Really?" Lily was somewhat surprised. Harper nodded and confirmed, prompting Lily to comment, "It seems he's not beyond help after all."

Harper was briefly taken aback, while Lily simply smiled.

The food was served at that moment.

The two chatted over their meal, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.

The meal stretched over an hour as they playfully argued over who would pay the bill, but Harper ultimately prevailed.

that I pay. Plus, treating you to dinner motivates me to keep

really wanted to say was that this might be the last time she could treat her

show her appreciation in her

said, Lily no longer insisted but laughed. "Alright, if my daughter-in-law is treating me, I won't say no. But you'll have to take me out more often. I need to enjoy some perks of being the mother-in-law." Harper just smiled, not saying anything,

Lily to head out. Suddenly, a sweet, gentle female voice called from behind, "Benjamin, you're so sweet to

instantly recognized the voice. They turned around, their gaze not

bumped into

face was slightly stiff, void of any

was surprised but quickly regained his composure, asking, "Mom, what

come? Lily replied, her tone sharp

right away, but Benjamin was worried about my health,

head bowed, her tone gentle and unassuming, showing no sign of

said coolly, "There's no need to come to our house, and certainly, not everyone is eager to visit Martin Manor. By the way, does Ms. Davis know that this man next to you

"Mrs. Martin, I..."

a loss for words,

no chance to

gentle, not arrogant or overbearing, but every softly spoken word of hers was excruciatingly

can't say? Or do you know he's married and still cling to him? If that's the case, it's quite indecent of you, Ms. Davis. If word gets out, given your past status, it would be quite

as Lily's words were too cutting. It wasn't apparent from her tone, but she was

looking aggrieved, Lauren tugged at Benjamin's sleeve and murmured, "Benjamin, Mrs. Martin is right, it's my

and he said, "Mom, can we discuss this at home? Lauren is still recovering and shouldn't get too upset. Please don't

frustrated as she pulled Harper

guard by the sudden

Lily was always direct.

gaze; his eyes were calm. Perhaps she was overthinking, but she felt a sense of

be blamed her

he blamed her for making Lauren feel

don't forget, Paul is still in the hospital. If you dare do anything to wrong Harper, then don't bother coming back to the Martin Manor." Benjamin knew he couldn't do anything about his own mother, aware that despite her seemingly gentle appearance,

thought it through? Who is Harper to

was somber, and he remained silent for

pressure Benjamin. If you are upset because of me, then I apologize. It's all my fault, Mrs. Martin,

speaking to my son. As an outsider and a bystander, you should

she was