Chapter 29 Not Entirely Beyond Hope Harper shook her head, âLily, letâs go eat. Heâs busy.â
A flicker of indifference crossed her eyes.
He wouldnât have lunch with her. He only wanted to be with his beloved, Lauren.
She was nothing for Benjamin.
Harper loughed scornfully at herself, feeling utterly insignificant.
A manâs disinterest can be so absolute.
She didnât even need to persist.
Lily booked the restaurant where they were dining It was an upscale establishment, a longâstanding venue in Mayby, not far from the hospital.
They took a private booth and ordered three dishes and a soup.
It was the first time tily and Harper had dinect alone together, but there no awkwardness at all, thanks to Lilyâs gentle and knack for conversation She asked Harper, âIs everything going smoothly at work? If you need anything, just reach out to Benjamin. If youâre hesitant to talk to him, you can always come to me or Scott. Weâre here to support you.â
Harper smiled in gratitude. âThanks, Lily. Things are okay for now. Benjamin helped me out with a problem a few days ago,)
âReally?â Lily was somewhat surprised. Harper nodded and confirmed, prompting Lily to comment, âIt seems heâs not beyond help after all.â
Harper was briefly taken aback, while Lily simply smiled, The food was served at that moment The two chatted over their meal, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.
The meal stretched an hour as they playfully argued over who would pay the bill, but Harper ultimately premiled.
Harper said, âLily, as the younger one. itâs only right that I pay. Plus, treating you to dinner motivates me to keep earning What Harper really wanted to was that this might be the last time she could treat her to a meal. Lily had been incredibly kind to her, almost tenderly Thus, she wanted to show her appreciation in her own .
With that said, Lily no longer insisted but laughed. âAlright, if my daughterâinâlaw is treating me, I wonât say no. But youâll have to take me out more often. I need to enjoy some perks of being the motherâinâlaw.â
Harper just smiled, not saying anything, as she wasnât sure if there would ever be another chance.
After paying, Harper linked arms with Lily to head out. Suddenly, a sweet, gentle female voice called from behind, âBenjamin, youâre so sweet to remember what I like to eat.â
Harper and Lily instantly recognized the voice. They turned around, their gaze not just the woman speaking but also on the man beside her.
The four of them bumped into each other unexpectedly.
Harperâs face was slightly stiff, void of any emotion, a sign she had become numb.
Benjamin was surprised but quickly regained his composure, asking, âMous, are you and Harper doing here?â
What? Youâve booked the whole place, and we canât come? Lily replied, her tone sharp and her gaze piercing Chapter 29 Not Entirely Beyond Hope âMrs. Martin, itâs been while. How have you been? I should have visited you at home right away, but Benjamin was worried about my health, so we delayed. I hope youâre not upset with me,â Lauren said softly.
Her head bowed, her tone and unassuming, showing no sign of fault.
However. Lily showed no deference. She said coolly, âThereâs no need to come to house, and certainly, not everyone is eager to visit Martin Manor. By the way, does Ms. Davis know that this man next to you is now maned?â
âMrs. Martin, Iâ¦.
Lauren was at a for words, instinctively at Benjamin beside her.
But Lily her no chance to seek help.
Lily was indeed gentle, not arrogant or overbearing, but every softly spoken word of hers was excruciatingly embarrassing Lily . âMs. Davis, why donât you answer? Is there something you canât say? Or do you know heâs married and still cling to him? If thatâs the case, itâs quite indecent of you, Ms. Daris. If word gets out, given your past status, it would be quite the joke, wouldnât it?â
Lauren, head bowed, had no idea what to say as Lilyâs words were too cutting. It wasnât apparent from her , but she was indeed interrogating.
Biting her lip and looking aggrieved. Lauren tugged at Benjaminâs sleeve and murmured, âBenjamin, Mrs. Martin is right, itâs my fault.â
Benjamin frowned at Lily, and he said, âMom, can we discuss this at home? Lauren is still recovering and shouldnât get upset. Please donât be like this.
âWhat have I done now? Did I say something wrong?â Lily was visibly frustrated as she pulled Harper closer. â
is this? Tell me, Benjamin, who is Harper to you?
Harper, caught off guard by the sudden pull, was stunned.
Lily was always direct.
Harper met Benjaminâs ; his eyes were calm. Perhaps she was overthinking, but she felt a sense of blame in his stare.
He must be blamed her for coming here.
Or he blamed her for making Lauren feel wronged.
Neither of them interacted, and Lily said, âBenjamin, donât forget, is still in the laospital. If you dare do anything to wrong Harper, then donât bother coming back to the Martin ,â
Benjamin knew he couldnât do anything about his oven mother, aware that despite her seemingly gentle appearance, she was actually very assertive deep dearn.
h? Who is Harper to you?â
Lily pressed on. âSo, have you thought it through?
Benjaminâs expression was somber, and he remained silent for a long time, his thoughts inscrutable.
Seeing this, Lauren said softly, âMrs. Martin, please donât pressure Benjamin. If you are upset because of me, then I apologize. Itâs all fault, Mrs. Martin. Iâm sorryâ¦lâ¦
âMs. Davis, I am speaking to my son. As an outsider and a bystander, you should not interrupt, okay?â
Laurenâs face stiffened, and she was at a loss for words Lily satisfied and continued, âBenjamin, did you not hear me?â
âHarper is my wife. Are you satisfied with that answer now?â
Benjamin seemed resigned, his face expressionless, revealing nothing of what he might be thinking His response shocked Harper, hurt Lauren, but particularly pleased Lily.
Lily looked at Lauren with a smile and said lightly. âMs.
, you heard him too, right? So, a selfârespecting girl should never overstep her bounds. Otherwise, itâs shameful, you think?â
Lauren pressed her lips, tears swirling in her eyes. She had no choice but to agree Lily. â
right, Mrs. Martin.â
Chapter 29 Not Entirely Beyond Hope â
Ms. Davis understands, then thereâs nothing more I need to say.â Her gaze coldly swept over Lauren before turning to Benjamin, âLetâs go, take me and Harper back home.â
Benjamin remained still said, âMom, you go ahead. Laurenâs not fully recovered yet; I need to take her back to the hospital.â
âMs. Davis wouldnât mind, and she certainly wouldnât get close to a married man. Right, Ms. Davis?â
âMrs. Martin is right, Benjamin. Donât worry about me; you should take Mrs. Martin and Harper instead,â Lauren whispered to Benjamin Yet her eyes were filled with hope as she gazed at Benjamin, her face a portrait of sorrow and grievance. Facing Lily, she felt utterly helpless, unable to resist.
Before Benjamin could reply, Lauren suddenly lost her balance and started to fall to the side. Benjamin quickly caught her, and she ended up in his Harperâs eyes widened and so did Lilyâs Harper hadnât expected such intimacy in public; she couldnât find the words to describe her feelings at that moment.
Her heart ached sharply, making it hard to breathe.
With a calm, indifferent voice, she squinted her eyes and said, âLily, letâs go.â
that, she turned and walked away.
Lily glared at Lauren Benjamin, her face filled with anger. Pointing at Benjamin, she coldly said, âYou really are a fine son of mine.â
, she hurriedly followed Harper.
Benjaminâs eyes followed Harperâs figure, and Lauren, still in his arms, noticed and asked softly, âBenjamin, is Harper upset?â