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.

"Lily, as the younger one, it's only right that I pay. Plus, treating you to dinner motivates me

Harper really wanted to say was that this might be the last time she could treat her to a meal. Lily had

she wanted to show her appreciation

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, as she wasn't sure if there

sweet, gentle female voice called from behind, "Benjamin,

around, their gaze not just on the woman speaking but also on

them bumped into each other

of any emotion, a sign she had

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

whole place, and we can't come? Lily replied, her tone sharp and her

but Benjamin was worried about my health, so we delayed. I hope

and unassuming,

everyone is eager to visit Martin Manor. By the way, does Ms. Davis know that

"Mrs. Martin, I..."

a loss for words, instinctively glancing at

gave her no

but

"Ms. Davis, why don't you answer? Is there something you 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

Lily's words were too cutting. It

at Benjamin's sleeve and murmured,

said, "Mom, can we discuss this at home? Lauren is still recovering

now? Did I say something wrong?" Lily was visibly frustrated as she

by the

Lily was always direct.

met Benjamin's gaze; his eyes were calm. Perhaps she was overthinking, but she felt a sense of blame

be blamed her for

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

you thought

remained silent for a long

Benjamin. If you are upset because of

speaking to my son. As an outsider and a

and she was at