I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Chapter 28 Are You Shy?

He phrased it so nobly, yet Harper blushed, her face turning a delicate pink. Even though they had been honest with each other, his straightforward request for help with bathing was embarrassingly direct.

She tugged at her hand forcefully, bowing her head, eager to escape the situation. Harper said, "You should hurry up and wash. I'll take the bowl downstairs to be cleaned."

But Benjamin was reluctant to let go. Instead, his voice deepened as he asked, "Harper, are you shy?"

Naturally, Harper wouldn't admit it. She looked up, meeting his gaze, and asked seriously, "Do you really need my help?"

"We are husband and wife; isn't this normal?"

"Alright then." With that, Harper turned to face him and began to unbutton his shirt. Her incredible fingernails inadvertently brushed against his skin, changing the previously colorless atmosphere into something slightly different.

Benjamin stood stiffly, unmoving, while Harper kept her gaze forward, showing no sign of discomfort.

He didn't stop her until the last button of his shirt was fastened, then he suddenly reached out, halting her continuation, and said in a soft voice, "I'll do it myself, you can leave now."

Harper paused for a moment before she withdrew her hands and walked out.

She understood Benjamin's habits well and knew exactly how to provoke him.

After exiting the bathroom, she patted her cheeks and then came back to her senses and went downstairs.

She handed the bowl to the maid for washing and then stepped out of the living room to make a phone call.

As soon as the call connected, a woman's voice came through. "Harper? Why are you calling at this time?"

"I wanted to ask you something about the baby..."

Harper briefly explained her situation, then added, "Could there be any problems?"

"If you're worried, find some time in the next few days to come to the hospital, and I'll give you a check-up. If you've indeed decided to keep the baby, then you'll need an official prenatal screening." "Alright, I'll arrange a time and let you know. Just make sure everything is set up discreetly. I don't want anyone else to know yet," Harper instructed.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it, the other person assured."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Are you being formal with me? We'll talk more when we meet."

"Okay, see you."

After hanging up, Harper deleted the record of the call and then went upstairs.

Benjamin had just finished showering and came out when Harper handed him a glass of water. "Drink more water and try to get some rest early tonight. How about we skip anything work-related for the evening, okay?"

Benjamin stared at Harper.

It felt like a return to the days before their divorce discussion; she always looked after him tirelessly, with every detail tended to patiently and meticulously.

Suddenly, an unbelievable thought popped into his head.

Benjamin's gaze deepened, as mysterious as an ancient tale buried through the ages.

It was late at night...

The bedroom was shrouded in silence, suddenly shattered by the ring of a cell phone.

It was Benjamin's.

He picked it up and answered, "Hello?"

"Benjamin, can you come over? Someone just knocked on my door. I'm terrified. Could it be those people who are out to get me? Are they going to kill me now that they know I'm awake?" Lauren's voice cut through the quiet bedroom with alarming clarity.

Harper had also opened her eyes.

Benjamin was already getting up, tossing the covers aside as he prepared to get out of bed. Harper asked, "Are you going to the hospital?"

He glanced back at her but didn't answer. Instead, he spoke to Lauren, "Isn't your caregiver there? Stay with them, okay?"

"Benjamin, I'm terrified. I'm afraid they'll do to me what they did last year. I feel like they're watching me, I..."

"Lauren? Lauren?" The call was cut off, and Benjamin's expression grew grave. He looked at Harper and said softly, "Something's happened to Lauren. I need to go to the hospital now. You go back to sleep." "Benjamin, do you really have to go? Didn't you say your heart was bothering you? If you're not feeling well, you should rest. What are you doing now?"

Harper's speech was rapid, her expression as cold as ice.

But Benjamin was already getting dressed. He said, "Lauren might be under surveillance at the hospital. We can't let anything else happen to her, so I need to go." "Do you really have to?"

"Yes."

Benjamin's response was resolute.

Harper simply looked at him with a detached gaze devoid of any warmth. "Alright, drive safely. I'm going back to sleep," Harper said.

Without another glance, she lay down again, pulling the covers over herself and closing her eyes.

Her indifferent expression caused Benjamin's brows to furrow, a chill passing inexplicably through his heart.

But he didn't dwell on it, quickly dressing and leaving the bedroom.

As the door closed, Harper's eyes snapped open the next second, her gaze cold and detached, her heart as if drenched in icy water.

Harper thought of how Benjamin had disregarded his comfort for a single expression of fear from Lauren. What chance did she have? She was utterly defeated.

His brief tenderness was not out of any lingering affection for her but merely because she was still his wife, part of the Martin family by marriage.

There was no other reason.

Harper repeated this to herself over and over, her hand resting on her abdomen as she whispered with guilt and self-reproach, "I'm sorry, baby, but mommy promises, I'll do everything in my power to love you."

*****

The following day, Harper came downstairs to find Benjamin unexpectedly at the breakfast table.

She was slightly surprised. She didn't know when he had come back, or he had come back just to have breakfast.

Harper chose not to ask, instead taking her seat to start her meal.

The breakfast spread included oatmeal, sandwiches, tacos, and boiled eggs...

Harper tried to avoid it as much as possible, but even the faint smells made her uncomfortable.

She held back, quickly finishing her oatmeal and ready to leave the table when Benjamin said, "Why are you eating so fast? Have an egg, and try some of these pastries too."

"I'm full, it's enough," Harper responded flatly and prepared to leave.

"Harper, are you upset?" Benjamin asked.

His voice was low and steady, his gaze fixed on her.

She paused briefly, then responded, "Of course not. Why would you think that?"

If you're not, then sit down and eat some more. I'll drive you to work later.

Benjamin insisted, already picking up food and placing it in her bowl, even peeling the egg before passing it to her.

Harper didn't reach for it, so he kept holding it out.

After about ten seconds, she had no choice but to take it.

Harper almost forced herself to swallow the food, and before the meal was over, she had to run to the restroom to throw up, the oatmeal included.

Seeing her pale, Benjamin asked, "What's wrong? You've seemed unwell these past few days."

She just shook her head. "It's nothing, just tired. A good rest will help."

Benjamin didn't seem entirely convinced but didn't press further.

Afterward, they both headed to their busy workdays.

By noon, Harper finished her work early and went to the hospital.

Paul hadn't awakened for two days now.

Despite the doctors reassuring her, the continuous coma was frightening.

Yet Lily said, "Harper, let me be honest with you, Paul is afraid you and Benjamin might divorce. If you two can live well together, he'll surely wake up soon."

Harper could only bite her lip in silence, unable to provide the reassurance they hoped for.

Noticing her hesitation, Lily switched topics with a smile. "You probably haven't had lunch yet, right? How about we eat together?"

"Sure," Harper agreed.

Lily added, "Let's call Benjamin to join us. He shouldn't be too busy right now, and he can drive us."

She signaled Harper to make the call. With no choice but to comply, Harper dialed Benjamin.

Once connected, Harper asked, "Benjamin, mom wants to have lunch together. Can you pick us up from the hospital?"

"Right now? I'm busy at the moment. Why don't you and Mom go ahead?"

His voice was deep.

Harper relayed this honestly. Lily didn't press further, simply responding, "Alright then."

"Okay, have a good time."

Just as Benjamin's voice faded, a jarring female voice slowly emerged. "Benjamin, let's go for Italian food, shall we?"

Harper heard it clearly.

It was Lauren.

Harper squinted her eyes and ended the call before Benjamin could respond.

Her face stiffened as Lily asked, "What happened?"