I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

A Marriage Earned With One's LifeFrom NôvelDrama.Org.

Upon hearing Kimberly, Jennifer's expression face immediately turned stern, and she said, "Harper, how many times have I told you that you cannot act sneakily? You are no longer the unsophisticated girl from the countryside. You are a socialite, the daughter of the Mitchell family, and Benjamin's wife."

Harper lowered her gaze, and she looked calm, unfazed by the scolding. She nodded and murmured, "I got it, Mom."

Jennifer's stern expression softened as she said, "Come and sit down then."

Harper walked over and sat upright on the sofa, exuding elegance and refinement. She had a strikingly beautiful face, so much so that no matter what she wore, she would always leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw her.

This was the only aspect of Harper that Jennifer was truly satisfied with.

Her gaze softened as she asked, "What brings you back at this time?"

"Mom, I'm going to divorce Benjamin," Harper replied, looking up to meet Jennifer's gaze with determination, showing no sign of hesitation.

Jennifer was utterly shocked by the news, as was Kimberly.

However, Jennifer quickly recovered from her shock and asked with a frown, "What did you just say? You're divorcing Benjamin?"

"Yes, we're getting a divorce. The procedures will be handled on Monday." Harper nodded.

"Do you realize what you're saying, Harper? Your grandfather had fought with his life to get you this marriage. And you're just going to throw it away?" Jennifer frowned.

Harper's and Benjamin's marriage wasn't just a simple union between wealthy families. The elders of both the Martin and Mitchell families were close friends. Many years ago, Harper's grandfather, Henry Mitchell, saved Paul's life at the cost of his own leg in a tragic accident.

Paul immediately proposed the idea of further solidifying the bond through marriage. However, it wasn't until Benjamin's generation that each family had one heir and one heiress. Initially, the intended bride was not Harper but Kimberly, the most cherished member of the Mitchell family.

At that time, Henry was already gravely ill, but he insisted on bringing Harper back from the countryside to marry Benjamin. Henry even went as far as threatening his son, Jack Mitchell, with his dying breath until his wishes were fulfilled.

Although Harper was Jennifer's biological daughter, Jennifer had always wanted a son. After giving birth to Harper, Jennifer suffered a uterine injury and couldn't have more children. She never healed emotionally from this and blamed Harper for her misfortune.

Harper was ten years old when she was sent to the countryside and only returned a year ago to marry Benjamin.

Jennifer was furious. She stood up, walked right over to Harper, and demanded, "Answer me! Say that you're just saying that out of spite and that it's not real."

Harper looked up at Jennifer and replied, "Benjamin wants to marry Lauren. I've already signed the papers. I'm not saying this out of..."

Suddenly, a resounding slap landed squarely on Harper's cheek.

Her curled eyelashes fluttered as she blinked, and her ears were ringing. For a moment, Harper thought she had gone deaf.

Jennifer, having acted in a fit of anger, paused in shock upon hearing the slap.

However, she didn't regret it. Jennifer pointed at the door and exclaimed, "Get out! I don't have a daughter like you."

Harper stood up and walked out the door like a puppet being pulled by strings.

Afterward, Jennifer immediately informed her husband about the news. The marriage between Benjamin and Harper was not just a matter between the two of them. It involved two families and their businesses, making the divorce not so straightforward.

...

Once Harper stepped out of the Mitchell Manor, she stood by her car, struggling to contain her emotions.

Her biggest concern was the child in her womb. Harper felt relieved that she had only been slapped on her cheek and not elsewhere.

But was she saddened by the slap? Not at all. Harper felt nothing but a detached indifference.

Although this was the first time Jennifer had hit her, Harper wasn't exactly unsettled by it, as she was already accustomed to her mother's cold treatment.

Harper thought that if a slap was the price for divorce, she was willing to pay it.

Just as she was about to get into her car with a solemn expression, she heard Kimberly's voice from behind. "Harper, are you really going to divorce Benjamin?" Harper didn't respond. Instead, she just glanced at Kimberly indifferently.

Kimberly frowned. "If you don't cherish him, why did you marry him in the first place? Don't you know the Mitchell family has not been doing well these years? Dad is relying on the Martin family to help the Mitchell Group succeed. You're being too selfish."

"So what?" Harper replied, her expression unyielding. She pondered, "I can tolerate Benjamin because I love him, and I can endure Jennifer because she gave birth to me and I had no other choice. But that doesn't mean anyone else can question or lecture me."

Kimberly was taken aback. "What?"

"Are you telling me that I should beg Benjamin not to divorce me even though I know he loves Lauren? Should I degrade myself and plead for him to stay with me?" Harper countered.

"It must be because you failed as a wife that Benjamin is eager to divorce you," Kimberly snorted.

"Our divorce is none of your concern, so you don't need to worry about it," Harper replied dismissively.

"Do you think I want to care about you? If it weren't for you, I would be Benjamin's wife right now. It's all your fault! Why did you have to come back when you had already left?" Kimberly questioned, her voice cracked with emotion and her eyes reddening. She couldn't accept the fact that Harper had snatched away her rightful role as Benjamin's wife. Kimberly felt deeply resentful.

Harper remained calm and indifferent, her eyes narrowing as she said, "How bold of you to be obsessed with your own sister's husband and even act so righteously about it. Kimberly, you really do surprise

me."

Kimberly gritted her teeth in anger. "You..."

"If you truly like him, you might as well go plead with Mom and Dad. Arguing with me won't change anything," Harper sighed helplessly.

Kimberly was left speechless.

Harper then glared at Kimberly before getting into her car and drove away.

As the car sped off, Kimberly stood there and pressed her lips together tightly. She stomped her foot in frustration, her expression a mix of anger and complex emotion.

No one knew just how much she despised Harper, her own sister.