I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

My Bad?

"How could you be ugly? You're still recovering. Don't worry, okay?" Benjamin comforted Lauren.

"Really? You won't stop liking me?" She looked hopeful.

Without any hesitation, he said, "Never. When you're better, we'll get married."

"Seriously? You're not just saying that?" Lauren questioned.

"I mean it. Now, eat up," Benjamin said with a smile.

"Benjamin, I love you," Lauren whispered, her voice soft and calming.

Outside, Harper overheard every word. She smiled sadly, not wanting to interrupt their moment by knocking. She thought it best to wait until they were done talking.

Once the conversation ended, she knocked on the door.

A deep, detached voice from inside said, "Come in."

When Harper walked in, she immediately saw Benjamin by the bed, still in his suit from yesterday. It was clear he'd stayed all night at the hospital.

He gave her a cold, emotionless look as if she meant nothing to him.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Harper clenched her fists and stopped in her tracks.

From the bed, Lauren said, "Harper, you're here. Sorry to bother you about bringing clothes. Come, have a seat."

Lauren's pale face and shoulder-length hair gave her a fragile yet striking beauty, instantly drawing a protective gaze from anyone who saw her. She was having creamy oatmeal with cinnamon for breakfast since she had just woken up and needed soft, easy-to-eat foods.

But the strong cinnamon smell was too much for Harper, making her frown.

She felt sick and suddenly gagged, covering her mouth.

The room instantly fell silent.

"What are you doing?" Benjamin asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Harper, do you think I'm gross?" Lauren asked, looking hurt.

After gagging, Harper fought off the nausea, kept a straight face, and said, "It's not you. I just hate the smell of disinfectant."

She then handed over the clothes while avoiding the cinnamon scent. "Here are the new clothes you wanted."

Lauren grabbed the bag, a delighted smile spread across her face, and said, "Harper, you're so thoughtful! You even picked my style." Confused, Harper thought, "Her style? So, the constantly updated closet at Pineview Villa was for her?"

She then looked toward Benjamin with a cold smirk and a mocking expression.

"If there's nothing else, can we talk?" Harper asked coolly.

Lauren panicked, quickly responding, "Harper, are you mad? I know you're still Benjamin's wife. I shouldn't have called him late, but I..."

Tears began to well up as she spoke, her voice cracking with guilt and distress.

"Lauren, stop," Benjamin interrupted, his voice laced with concern. "Remember what the doctor said? You need to rest."

After calming Lauren, Benjamin turned to Harper, his face tense. "Why upset her like this?"

Harper, incredulous, thought, "I haven't even done anything, and I'm to blame?"

She managed a tight smile and said, "Does it matter how I react? If Ms. Davis cared, then why did she call so late? We're divorced now, anyway. No need for acting guilt." Benjamin scowled, feeling an odd twinge of regret despite getting what he wanted. "Harper, if you're upset I asked you to bring clothes, blame me, not her. Lauren's too weak for this." Harper scoffed internally, "So... It's okay for me to be hurt, but not Lauren."

As the tension in the room spiked, Lauren reached out to Benjamin, "Benjamin, don't be harsh on Harper. It's my fault. I shouldn't have bothered her."

She then turned to Harper and apologized, "Harper, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Hearing that, Harper stayed silent, her face expressionless.

Lauren was briefly taken aback by Harper's quiet.

Meanwhile, Harper, hiding her feelings, suggested to Benjamin, "Let's set a time to finalize the procedures."

"Monday morning then," he replied coldly, his brows furrowed.

It was Saturday today, so it was just another two days away.

"It's settled," Harper hummed lightly, then added, "I'll leave you two alone."

Benjamin didn't answer; his face was stern.

"Did I say something wrong again?" Harper chuckled mockingly to herself, and then she turned and left the ward. Soon after, Lauren tried to soothe the mood, "Benjamin, go talk to Harper. There's no need for upset. Just sort things out." "There's nothing to explain," Benjamin responded flatly, though his stern expression lingered, betraying his irritation. Meanwhile, he wondered, "She's always been so gentle and accommodating. Why has she become so stubborn?"