I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)
Chapter 35

Chapter 35 The Person I Love

Harper was utterly speechless.

She thought to herself, "Is Lauren picking a fight with me because Benjamin isn't home?

Huh.

Wasn't she all sweet and gentle before? Why the sudden change when Benjamin's not around?

Does she really think I'll just let her get away with it?"

Harper responded, "Lauren, so it's my fault that he's coming home late? Maybe you should reflect on yourself. Perhaps he just doesn't want to see you. After all, he used to come home on time before you moved in."

Of course, this was just Harper firing back at Lauren.

In reality, Benjamin had never been able to come home on time before. But Harper never dared to meddle in his affairs.

Just the fact that he was coming back was already a relief for her.

Thinking back, Harper realized she was easily satisfied.

But even this simple satisfaction seemed to be slipping away.

After speaking her mind, Harper ignored Lauren, focusing solely on her computer screen.

It wasn't clear how much time had passed when, suddenly, Lauren began to sob. "Harper, I'm sorry. I know I've been in the wrong. I shouldn't have come here to disturb you and Benjamin. You're right to ask me to leave. I'll move out now."

As Lauren cried, Harper was left bewildered.

She thought, "What is going on with this woman?"

Before Harper could make sense of it all, a deep voice cut through the tension. "What's going on here?"

Harper finally understood.

She squinted slightly, not saying a word, just giving a glance at Benjamin before refocusing on her computer screen.

Lauren immediately walked towards Benjamin, speaking softly, "It's okay, Harper is right. It's only natural for her to ask me to leave. After all, you two are still married, and I'm just an outsider. Benjamin, I'll move out."

Benjamin frowned and said, "Harper, did you ask Lauren to leave?"

Upon hearing her name coming from his lips, Harper finally looked up.

Her face was expressionless, devoid of any emotion, and her tone was flat. "Does it matter if it was me?"

"Harper, what do you mean?"

His face darkened, a hint of displeasure in his gaze.

Harper chuckled, "Regardless of whether it was me or not, you believe her. So, there's no need to ask me."

"Harper, it was clearly you who said it. You can dislike me, you can ask me to leave, but you can't twist the truth."

Lauren, head bowed in distress, tears streaming down her face, looked truly pitiful.

Benjamin, with a stern face, said softly, "Lauren, no one can force you to leave."

Looking up at Benjamin, Lauren said, "Benjamin, I'm grateful that you believe in me."

"Alright, go upstairs and rest."

"Okay, you should rest early too."

As Lauren headed upstairs, there was a smile on her face.

After Lauren left, Benjamin approached Harper, who continued to ignore him.

Frustrated, he reached over and closed her laptop, saying, "Harper, I've made it clear to you. Lauren staying here is temporary. Once I arrange things, she'll move out. Why do you have to push her away?" Harper couldn't believe it, thinking, "Does he still think it was me?"

She replied, "Benjamin, we've been married for a year. You may not know me well, but I'll own up to my actions."

With that, she grabbed her laptop, ready to leave. But Benjamin stopped her, asking, "Fine, I can believe you didn't say it. But did you know that Grandpa wants me to set you up with someone before we divorce?"

Harper was stunned.

She ignored his perfunctory remark, focusing all her attention on the latter half of the words.

Harper frowned, "You said Grandpa wants you to set me up with someone?"

"You didn't know?"

"Do you think I should have known?"

Harper felt a sense of resignation, thinking, "What is he implying now? Does he think I've initiated this with Grandpa?"

"Benjamin, it's just Grandpa's concern for me. You don't need to worry about it. I haven't asked for this, so you can just pretend you don't know."

Harper thought, "Grandpa probably knows I'm expecting a baby and is concerned about my raising the child alone. But I don't need to start a new relationship before completely clearing Benjamin from my heart.

But, after all, Grandpa is doing it for my good. I can't blame him."

Benjamin simply kept watching her, discerning the truth from her words.

Benjamin asked, "Is the reason you don't need my introduction because you can't forget your ex or because you already have someone else in mind?"

Harper was at a loss.

She thought, "He thinks I don't need his help because I can't let go of my made-up ex or because I have my eye on someone else?

Benjamin, oh Benjamin, you've thought so much, but have you ever considered that the person I love is actually you?"

Harper pressed her lips, choosing not to answer his question, simply gazing at him calmly. "Think what you want, I don't need your introductions. You can use that time to spend more with your Ms. Davis." "Harper, are we going to start arguing every time we speak?"

"I'm not looking for an argument."

"Then why do you keep mentioning Lauren? I've already said it's just between us and has nothing to do with her?"

Harper remained composed, her tone flat. "Fine, I won't bring it up again."

She thought, "He always emphasized that it's just between us and has nothing to do with Lauren, but isn't it because of Lauren that we are getting divorced?

He's really biased.

Afraid that I might come to hate Lauren because of this."

Although the topic seemed closed, it left Harper with a lingering sense of coldness in her heart.

That night, they still shared a room, lying on the same bed, but there was no interaction or conversation between them.

Their dynamic, where Harper had always been the one to take the initiative, had suddenly shifted, and now they existed in this silent state.

Benjamin, however, failed to notice that something was amiss.

The next day, everything returned to normal.

Their breakfast for two had now become a meal for three.

Harper ate in silence, finishing her breakfast quietly. She was thankful she didn't vomit. Otherwise, she would have had to come up with an excuse.

After breakfast, she left without a word.

For Harper, in this trio, one person was always excessive, and she was that person.

Once Harper left, Lauren turned to Benjamin. "Benjamin, it seems like Harper is upset."

Benjamin didn't respond, a vision of Harper's silent demeanor flashing in his mind. He said calmly, "Isn't your agent already preparing for your comeback? You should focus all your energy on that. Other matters are not your concern."

Lauren paused. "Benjamin, are you upset because last night's event?"