I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)
Chapter 78

Chapter 78 She's Furious With Him for Being III

Kimberly stood waiting until Jack and Jennifer arrived.

The trio got into the car and headed back to the Mitchell Manor.

Jennifer expressed her displeasure. She said, "What's the deal with Harper? She knows someone as renowned as Vincent and she didn't even mention it. We were completely embarrassed in front of everyone. If word gets out, people might think we're being too hard on her. And why did she give that painting to Paul in her own name? It should have been presented on behalf of the Mitchell family." "Why are you always so harsh and cold towards Harper, Mom?" Jennifer's words had barely settled when Kimberly suddenly challenged her.

The car fell silent instantly.

Jennifer turned to Kimberly. "What are you talking about?"

Kimberly met her gaze firmly. "Isn't Harper your daughter too? Why did you and dad publicly question and distrust her? Isn't she a part of the Mitchell family?"

Kimberly's words left both Jennifer and Jack Speechless.

After a long pause, Jennifer spoke softly, "Kimberly, did she complain to you about something?"

"No."

"Kimberly, you've grown up surrounded by the love of me and your dad. Your kindness and generosity are known to all, and I understand your tender heart. But this time, Harper really didn't consider the Mitchell family's best interests, so..."

"Mom..." Kimberly frowned and raised her voice, saying, "Harper hasn't complained to me about anything. I just feel the dislike you all have for her. Is all this because of me?"

Kimberly didn't know the real reason Jennifer was so cold towards Harper, so after hearing Lauren's words, she blamed herself for everything.

She indeed disliked Harper for her aloofness, always sensing a sort of innate pride in her that seemed unbreakable, even under pressure.

Yet, she envied Harper more.

For her frankness and ease, which needed no pretense.

Benjamin didn't go to the office but went to Pineview Villa instead.

Upon entering, he headed straight upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door.

The faint light revealed a slight rise in the bed where someone lay. He switched on a lamp, walked over to the bed, hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Harper, Harper..." But Harper didn't respond.

He called out again, "Harper, wake up, let's talk."

It wasn't too late so that it wouldn't disturb her rest.

Still, there was no movement from her.

Frowning, Benjamin reached out to pinch her cheek to wake her up. As his icy fingertips touched her warm cheek, a burning heat shocked him, and he quickly moved his hand to feel her forehead. It was alarmingly hot.

Benjamin quickly tried to rouse her, "Harper, wake up, you have a fever, we need to go to the hospital, okay?"

Harper was highly dizzy, feeling heavy, and barely able to open her eyes. She only wanted to sleep. Irritated, she swatted his hand away and said, "Stop it, can't you just leave me alone?" Taken aback by her sharp reaction, Benjamin quickly lifted her from the bed and said sternly, "Harper, you're running a fever. If we don't go to the hospital, at least take some medicine, okay?"

Harper was nagged to the point of exhaustion before she finally opened her eyes to look at the person in front of her. Suppressing the urge to push him away, she said indifferently, "I don't want to take any medicine. What happens to me is my own business. If you really want to care about someone, why don't you go check on Lauren?"

Benjamin furrowed his brows, replaceing himself at a loss for words.

Harper didn't even spare him an extra glance. After saying her piece, she lay back down.

However, her fever was fierce, showing no signs of subsiding throughout the night. Despite her refusal, Benjamin attempted to cool her fever with physical methods, but to no significant effect. Before dawn the next day, Benjamin had Yinson come over. Knowing Harper's condition and aware that she was pregnant, Yinson prescribed some pregnancy-safe medication and advised her to drink more water.

When Harper woke up, Benjamin was already by her bedside with a glass of warm water and her medicine.

Weak from the fever, her cheeks flushed red, her delicate, curled eyelashes trembled, and her lips pressed together slightly as she saw him sit down beside the bed.

Benjamin offered the medicine. "Take this first, I've asked the kitchen to make you some soup."

"I'm not taking any medicine," Harper said, rejecting the idea without a second thought.

"Harper, don't be stubborn. You've had a fever all night, and it will only get worse if you don't take anything. Yinson said you need to drink more water to get better quickly, okay?" Upon hearing that the medicine was prescribed by Yinson, Harper's expression softened slightly, but the sight of Benjamin brought back memories of the previous night.

With a sickly calm in her eyes, she said coldly, "Don't worry, I'll take it myself later."

"Harper, what are you playing at?"

Benjamin was getting angry. He thought Harper didn't even care about her health.

Harper was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at him. "Benjamin, you accuse me of making trouble when I haven't done anything. Do you only think Lauren is perfect?" "Harper, we're talking about you right now. Why bring up Lauren?"

"It's not that I want to bring her up; it's just that every answer seems to be shadowed by her presence," Harper said unblinkingly, a mocking smile on her lips.

Benjamin frowned and handed over a glass of water. "Take your medicine first, then we can talk properly."

"I can take it myself. Put it down."

"Harper, are you forcing me to feed you?"

"I said I can take it myself!"

Harper's tone was becoming heated.

Benjamin narrowed his eyes, and the next second, he set down the medicine and pulled Harper into his arms. She stiffened, his scent enveloping her, her body rejecting but unable to break free, her hands flailing.

Harper's emotions and reactions were intense. Although Benjamin was strong enough to hold her, he still had a glass of water and couldn't settle her down.

In the struggle, the water spilled onto the bed, soaking their clothes to varying degrees.

Finally, they both calmed down.

Harper took the opportunity to slip out of his embrace, then coolly said, "I'll take it myself later."

With that, she got off the bed and went to the bathroom.

Benjamin was not oblivious to her coldness and rejection, but he didn't care.

She was his wife, and caring for her was his duty.

Benjamin's face carried a mysterious look, and his deep eyes fixated on the bathroom door for a long time before he left the bedroom just as Harper emerged.

Harper had been ill for several days, and their relationship remained lukewarm at best. Most of the time, it was Benjamin who made the effort, yet she remained largely unresponsive and disinterested.

Feeling unwell sapped her energy and interest in the outside world, barely noting when Julie called early in the morning to gossip.

"Lauren became the laughingstock of the circle after Paul's birthday party," Julie said. "She made a high-profile comeback, envied by many for snatching up several endorsements and ads from others, and now everyone's laughing at her self-inflicted misfortune."

Harper was not particularly interested and simply responded, "She brought it upon herself. No one else to blame."

"Right," Julie sighed, then asked, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, much better."

Since she was feverish, work had come to a halt, and she hadn't been to the office. If she weren't pregnant, she wouldn't have been so cautious, but with a baby on the way, caution was paramount. Whatever was happening with Lauren in their social circle was of little consequence to Harper, merely a piece of gossip to be forgotten.

Julie continued, "Harper, are you and Benjamin not planning to divorce then? Are you going to tell him about the baby? It'll be hard to hide soon, especially as the weather gets colder and you wear more layers, but he's your husband. Does he really not suspect anything?"