I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)
Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Introduce Someone to Harper

Harper hesitated, looking down at the floor, her mind subconsciously drifting to the fact that Lauren was still living at Pineview Villa.

Instead of telling Paul, she simply shook her head and smiled, "No."

Harper didn't want to worry Paul. Even though this hospital stay was a ploy to deal with Benjamin, she wouldn't risk Paul's health in any way.

"If he dares to bother you, just let me know. I'll handle him," Paul said firmly.

His eyes filled with the love of an elder as he looked at Harper.

"Okay, I know you always have my back, Grandpa," Harper replied with a smile.

She patted Paul's leg, but the combination of skipping breakfast and the strong smell of disinfectant in the ward made her suddenly feel queasy. Without warning, Harper rushed to the bathroom and vomited. After emptying her stomach, Harper felt a sense of relief.

She washed her face before returning to Paul's side.

Paul watched her closely and asked in a low voice, "Harper, what's wrong with you?"

She shook her head calmly. "I'm fine, Grandpa. Probably just caught a cold these past few days. Don't worry."

Though Paul didn't say anything, he continued to watch her closely. "Harper, are you hiding something from me?" Harper froze.

She was never good at lying, especially to Paul, who loved her unconditionally.

She bit her lip and replied with a smile, "Grandpa, what are you talking about? How could I possibly hide anything from you?"

"Harper, even though we haven't spent much time together, I know you're a good kid. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll always be on your side."

"Grandpa, I really am fine. Please don't worry," Harper insisted, causing Paul to fall silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Since you're feeling unwell, and you're here in the hospital, let the doctor take a look. It'll ease my mind."

Paul reached for his phone to make the call, but Harper hesitated and stopped him, looking conflicted and hesitant. "Grandpa, I really don't need a doctor. Please don't ask anymore, okay?" "Harper, don't you trust even me?"

Harper fell silent, sitting quietly with a pale, somber expression.

Finally, she spoke in a clear, steady voice. "Grandpa, I'm pregnant."

The air in the hospital room seemed to be still at her words.

Harper continued, "I found out after Benjamin and I decided to divorce. It wasn't intentional to keep it from you."

"Does he know?" Paul asked, his face serious.

"No, I haven't told him. We've already decided to divorce," Harper looked at Paul, saying, "Grandpa, can you promise not to tell Benjamin? I don't want to use a child to hold onto a failing marriage. It wouldn't make either of us happy, and a child growing up in an unhappy home isn't ideal.

"Grandpa, I told you because I hope you can support me and believe in me. Since I've been honest with you, this child will be born. But I don't want my child to be a leverage, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to see that either."

Paul remained silent.

Seeing his reaction, Harper felt uneasy, but she had no other choice.

She could lie to everyone except Paul.

Even if Paul didn't agree to keep her pregnancy a secret, she wouldn't blame him.

But deep down, Harper hoped Paul would agree.

In a low voice, Paul spoke. "Harper, did Benjamin do something to hurt you, leading you to be so determined to divorce?"

Harper shook her head. "No, Grandpa, please don't think like that."

"I may be old, but I'm not blind," Paul sighed, "If he really divorces you, he'll regret it. Lauren is no simple woman, not someone who leads a peaceful life. If she had half your character, I wouldn't have stopped them from being together in the first place.

"Anyway, it's his loss for letting go of such a good wife like you. He will regret it.

"Harper, I promise you, I won't tell anyone. But you have to promise me that you'll tell me if anything happens. As long as I'm around, I won't allow anyone to bully you."

Harper nodded vigorously, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Grandpa, thank you, really thank you."

She wasn't one to cry easily, but Paul's unconditional kindness overwhelmed her emotions.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open, revealing Lily and Scott returning with breakfast, accompanied by Benjamin.

The three of them saw Harper in tears, her head bowed, while Paul looked at her with affection. Lily was the first to ask, "What's wrong?"

Harper quickly wiped her cheeks and forced a smile, saying, "It's nothing, just reminiscing about the past with Grandpa."

She smoothly changed the subject, but Benjamin's eyes remained fixed on her.

Benjamin thought, "What was she crying about?"

Before he could dwell on it, Lily called Harper over. "Harper, come and have breakfast."

As Harper walked over, passing by Benjamin, her gaze involuntarily fell upon him.

She thought, "Despite living under the same roof, we came to the hospital separately.

I'm really a terrible wife, right?"

As Harper sat down to eat breakfast, Paul seemed to ignore Benjamin as he glanced out the window. Scott cleared his throat, prompting Benjamin to step forward.

"How are you feeling, Grandpa?" Benjamin asked.

"Hmph." Paul glared at him, showing no signs of warmth.

"Grandpa, please don't be angry," Benjamin said, looking helpless.

"If you don't want me to be angry, then leave. If I don't see you, I won't get angry," Paul said coldly, clearly displeased.

With Paul's disapproval, no one spoke up for Benjamin.

Usually, Harper would have intervened, but today, Lily's breakfast had sealed her lips. Lily said, "Don't feel sorry for him. Let him face the consequences to learn from his mistakes." So, Harper remained silent.

After breakfast, Paul said, "You all go about your business. Since he wants to be filial and keep me company, let him have his wish."

Harper glanced at Paul, who seemed to be telling her, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."

Harper left the room with Scott and Lily and then made an excuse. "You go home first. I need to visit a friend."

"Alright, take care and be safe. We'll head home now."

As Lily and Scott left hand in hand, Harper turned and headed to the obstetrics and gynecology building in another wing.

In the hospital room, only Benjamin and Paul remained.

Benjamin knew Paul had something to say by keeping him back. He sat on the chair by the bedside, but before he could speak, he heard Paul's angry voice. "Did I ask you to sit?" Benjamin hesitated, looking at Paul. "Grandpa, just say what you have to. It's just the two of us here."

"Oh, now you can't even move at my command? Fine, since I'm lying in the hospital bed, if you want to make me angry, the doctors can still save me if you push me too far."

"Fine, I won't sit. Is that better?" Benjamin was utterly helpless, but faced with Paul, he had no choice but to comply with whatever Paul said.

Benjamin stood up, gazing gently at Paul.

Paul said, "I don't expect you to treat Harper well anymore. Since Harper has no intention of continuing with you, I have no objections to your divorce. But remember, I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for Harper."

Paul gave Benjamin a stern look, his eyes filled with disdain. He continued, "Divorce is fine, but you have to agree to one request from me."

Realizing that Paul was going to discuss the divorce, Benjamin didn't feel the joy he had imagined. Instead, a sense of indescribable unease crept over him.

Furrowing his brow, Benjamin looked at Paul with a warm yet puzzled expression, asking, "What is your request?"

"There are plenty of young talents around you, aren't there? Pick one and introduce him to Harper. It doesn't matter if the family is wealthy or not. The key is that he must be a good person, treat Harper well, cherish her, and most importantly, be better than you."

Paul's words were precise, devoid of any hint of pettiness or jest.

Benjamin was taken aback, asking, "Grandpa, are you asking me to introduce someone to Harper?"