I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31 Lauren Moves In

Harper looked up at him. "How could that be?"

"What are you trying to say now?"

"I didn't do anything."

"We usually eat together, but today I didn't hear from you at all. Did you fulfill your duties as a wife?"

Benjamin's words were sharp, filled with profound dissatisfaction.

Harper responded with a resigned smile, "Benjamin, you can neglect your own health for Ms. Davis, how am I supposed to know if you'll come home for dinner? Besides, if I call you, I can't be sure Ms. Davis won't answer. Why should I bother calling if it might be her?"

Harper was still upset about last night's incident because he had disregarded his health, something Harper couldn't let go of.

But Benjamin didn't see it that way.

Benjamin said, "Are you mad at me because of what happened at the restaurant?"

"Are you talking about how you chose to dine with Ms. Davis instead of Lily and me or how she hugged you right in front of us?"

Benjamin shouldn't have brought it up, but he did, deliberately.

It was like rubbing salt into Harper's wounds, and it hurt her deeply.

Benjamin narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "It was just a misunderstanding. Did you expect me to let her fall without helping her?"

"I didn't say that."

"But isn't that what you mean?"

"Benjamin, if you think so poorly of me, why bother explaining it was just a misunderstanding?"

Harper was beginning to realize that she no longer knew this man.

The conversation made the atmosphere tense.

Draven, at that moment, brought Benjamin's tableware to the table. Seeing them deep in conversation, he quickly withdrew without saying a word.

After sitting down at the dinner table, Benjamin finally said, "You knew I was going to have Italian food with Lauren, so you deliberately brought mom along? Haven't I made it clear that during this marriage, I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you? Why must you be so aggressive?'

Harper was speechless.

She stared at him in disbelief and asked, "So you're saying I intentionally brought Lily? Benjamin, you can favor Lauren, but you can't wrong me like this. It was Lily chose the restaurant; how was I supposed to know you'd be there too?"

Benjamin watched her intently as if weighing the truth of her words.

He responded indifferently, "Didn't you hear her mention she wanted to eat Italian food when I was on the phone with you?'

"If you're convinced it was me, then so be it, she said, not wanting to explain further as it seemed pointless. After all, he had already made up his mind about her, so why waste words?"

Not loving someone can be clearly demonstrated at any time and in any situation.

This year of marriage, respectful yet distant, had almost fooled her into thinking this was normal for a couple. She now realized it was because Lauren was not around.

What she was experiencing now was the actual state of her marriage with Benjamin.

Of course, she had tried countless times to save this marriage and hold on to Benjamin, but it was fruitless, for his eyes held only Lauren, never once seeing her.

Rather than letting it end in his contempt, she preferred to cut it off cleanly now.

The meal was far from enjoyable. Benjamin's doubts and misunderstandings had entirely ruined Harper's appetite. Harper felt sick both emotionally and physically. And she spat out everything she ate.

Of course, she made sure to avoid Benjamin when she did.

The following day, Harper left for work early, taking her car instead of asking Benjamin for a ride.