I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

You Have Grown Too Bold Now

Harper pondered, "The only outcome of this will be my own embarrassment."

Benjamin picked up on some inexplicable undertones in her words. "It's like she's talking about me, but then it feels like it has nothing to do with me. Am I overthinking things?" He wondered.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Harper didn't want to continue talking with him as she feared she couldn't control her emotions. Since yesterday, she had been constantly reminding herself, "Harper, stop hoping. Don't go on any longer. There's no future in it. He will never fall in love with you. All your efforts and sacrifices are in vain and might even annoy him."

She took a deep breath, gradually calming her emotions before returning to her usual demeanor.

...

The two then drove back to the Martin Manor and arrived just before nightfall.

The manor was located near the mountains of Mayby, and this area housed only the city's affluent families.

Harper walked into the living room hand in hand with Benjamin, where Paul was already waiting. Upon seeing her face, Paul immediately smiled warmly, "Harper, you're back! Come here, let me see if you've lost weight. Has Benjamin been treating you well?"

She quickly let go of Benjamin's arm and walked over to Paul's side. Harper massaged his shoulders while playfully pouting, "Grandpa, I'm doing great. Don't worry about me. If anything, I've actually gained weight. I should be thinking about losing some!"

Paul narrowed his eyes and pretended to be serious. "Nonsense! Where have you gained weight? And don't you dare try to lose weight by starving yourself like others do."

Harper nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you. You also need to take good care of yourself, got it?"

"Hmph, you silly girl. How long has it been since you last visited me?" He asked.

Harper quickly apologized, realizing it had been over half a month since she last visited. Paul wasn't really upset with her. He just wanted to pretend to be angry so that she would coddle him.

She effortlessly made Paul burst into laughter with just a few words.

Watching from the sidelines, Benjamin smiled faintly, thinking that Harper sure knew how to charm people, making Paul very happy.

In fact, he didn't understand why Paul, who had been a formidable figure in the business world for decades with his imposing demeanor, showed such affection towards Harper, even more so than to his own grandson.

Benjamin also wondered what charm Harper possessed that made her so special.

He said, "Grandpa, why not just have Harper come over next time to keep you company? There's no need for me to come back just to be left out."

Paul then dropped his smile and glared at him with displeasure. "What? Can't me tell you what to do anymore?" He huffed.

"How could that be?" Benjamin replied.

Paul retorted, "It seems you've grown too bold, thinking you can defy me now, isn't it?"

Seeing this, Harper quickly intervened to ease the tension, just as she always did. "Grandpa, getting angry can cause wrinkles. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Paul chuckled, "All you know is just to tease me."

She replied earnestly, "I'm just telling the truth."

"This brat needs to be properly disciplined. Don't side with him, lest he keeps bullying you," Paul warned.

Benjamin felt helpless and thought, "I didn't even say anything." He then explained, "Grandpa, how could I dare?"

Paul warned, "You better not dare, or I won't let you off easily."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes, clearly understanding the implication in Paul's words.

Thanks to Harper, the atmosphere lightened a bit. Soon after, Benjamin's parents, Scott Martin and Lily Martin, also arrived. Harper effortlessly charmed her husband's parents with her graceful and pleasing

manners.

The family then made their way to the dining room and took their seats.

Paul hadn't started eating, and everyone was waiting.

The usually warm and magnetic Paul suddenly turned serious and asked, "Benjamin, I heard from Harper's parents that you want a divorce?"

The inevitable had finally arrived.

With that, the atmosphere instantly turned tense.

All eyes on the table immediately turned to Harper and Benjamin.

She pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Benjamin calmly met Paul's eyes with his own deep-set ones and said in a low voice, "Grandfather, this is between Harper and me. Could you please not intervene?"