I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Regretting Marriage

Benjamin finally reacted. His voice was hoarse. "Yeah."

He sat up straight and looked at Harper, his voice soft. "Sorry, my heart suddenly felt uncomfortable and I couldn't stop the car in time. I didn't scare you, did I?"

Harper looked at him with a complex expression. "Was it really because he couldn't brake that he crashed?

Not for any other reason?" Harper thought.

Quickly, Harper dismissed the thought. Benjamin didn't love her, so it couldn't be jealousy.

Harper spoke calmly, "I'm fine. What's wrong with your heart?"

"It's nothing serious; it is probably just the aftermath of overworking and not getting enough rest. I'll be okay after I relax a bit."

His complexion seemed a bit pale.

Harper said, "Then you better go inside and rest."

"Could you help me?" Benjamin asked quietly, his eyes holding a hopeful look.

His gaze was too tender, leaving her unable to utter a single word of refusal.

Harper stood there stunned, speechless, when Frank approached. "Need a hand, Mr. Martin? Harper's not as strong as I am. Let me help you."

Their eyes met. Both gazes were dark and deep, neither willing to back down.

If looks could kill, a battle would have already begun.

Benjamin remained still, withdrawing his gaze, and said indifferently, "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Parker, but I'm not comfortable with physical contact from strangers. My wife will assist me."

His eyes fixed on Harper, "Harper, please help me. So there's no need to trouble Mr. Parker, right?"

For a moment, Harper felt there was something different about Benjamin now, something she had never seen before.

It was... somewhat affected.

Seeing her silence, Benjamin added, "Harper, Mr. Parker has already gone through the trouble of driving you home. It wouldn't be right to impose further, especially since we're married. I should be thanking Mr. Parker for taking care of you, not the other way around."

"Alright, I'll help you," Harper said quietly.

Then she turned to Frank and whispered, "Frank, you should head back now."

"Okay, I'll go then. Call me if you need anything, and we can talk more at the office tomorrow."

"Drive safely."

"Drive safely, Mr. Parker."

Frank nodded, then turned and got into his car to leave.

After watching Frank leave, Harper stretched out her hand to help Benjamin out of the car. Although she was not short among the girls, she seemed particularly petite next to him.

He lifted his hand to her shoulder, almost enveloping her in his embrace.

The two maintained silence as they walked into the house.

Draven, who had been looking after them, exclaimed in surprise, "What happened?"

Harper replied softly, "Draven, could you call a doctor, please? Benjamin says his heart feels uncomfortable, probably from exhaustion."

"Right away, I'll make the call."

"Draven, never mind. I'm fine, I'm just tired. A little rest will do."

Benjamin quickly stopped Draven from calling a doctor.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Harper guided him to sit on the sofa and insisted slightly, "Benjamin, you're having heart discomfort; this is not something minor. Let's get a doctor to check on you for my peace of mind, okay?" "I'm really okay. I just need some rest. Will you stay with me? I don't want anyone else around," Benjamin said.

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

This side of Benjamin left Harper bewildered.

She was torn between happiness and unease.

Happy that he didn't treat her like just anyone else, but anxious about getting too involved again

Ultimately, they didn't call the doctor. Harper went upstairs with him to the bedroom.

Later, she made some soup and watched him drink it.

It must be said this man had an outstanding demeanor at all times. He was distinguished and handsome, and even his way of sipping soup was graceful.

His face had initially drawn her, and remembering the past, Harper smiled faintly.

She looked at Benjamin and asked curiously, "Do you remember the first time we met?"

"Of course," Benjamin replied. "Mr. Henry Mitchell brought you to the Martin Manor, saying he wanted to marry you off to me."

Benjamin's face was somewhat pale due to discomfort, but it did nothing to diminish his handsomeness. Accompanied by his deep voice, the scene from that day emerged in his mind.

Even before that day, he knew he was bound to a marriage alliance with the Mitchell family, a marriage he couldn't refuse.

He was resentful about that.

But after meeting Harper, he felt that living with her might not be so impossible.

But what Benjamin didn't know was that it wasn't their first meeting.

Long before Harper left the Mitchell family to move to the countryside, she had already seen him. It was this brief counter that etched itself into her heart for a lifetime.

Yet he remained utterly unaffected. Harper lowered her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips, her heart as clear as a mirror. His heart had always belonged to Lauren, never sparing room for anyone else. She was a perfect example.

Falling for him meant she could never love another.

After composing herself, Harper asked, "Benjamin, have you ever regretted this marriage?"

"Why do you ask that?" Benjamin frowned.

"Wouldn't you be married to Ms. Davis by now if it weren't for our marriage?" Harper said, still looking down.

Benjamin's expression was slightly annoyed. "What's with all the what-ifs? Everything is predetermined."

Harper said, "If the choice were in your hands, would you still marry me?"

"And you? Would you?" Benjamin countered.

"Me?"

"Yes, would you?"

Harper smiled faintly. If she had the power to dictate everything, she had two choices. Never to miss the first glance or, knowing how this marriage would turn out, she would rather not have it. But she would never reveal her true thoughts. She would never tell Benjamin how deeply she loved him.

"Maybe I would, maybe not," Harper said softly.

Benjamin furrowed his brows, a flicker of inexplicable dissatisfaction in his eyes. "What do you mean by 'maybe'? You either can or you can't."

"And you?" Harper retorted, she was the one who had asked first.

"I never considered it, nor did I think it was possible. So, for me, everything that's happening is fate. Since it's already happened, why delve into what could have been?" Indeed, since it had already happened, it was best not to dwell on it.

After Benjamin had some soup and rested for a while, Harper went to draw a bath. "You take a bath first. If you're still not feeling well, we should see a doctor, okay?" "Yeah, okay."

He cooperated obediently.

However, as Harper was about to leave the bathroom, he suddenly grasped her hand, asking softly, "Where are you going?"

"You bathe first; I'm going to change my clothes."

She was actually a bit tired and worried about the baby. She wanted to call a friend to get some reassurance and a better grasp of the situation.

But Benjamin asked, "Aren't you going to help me?"

Harper was stunned.