Chapter 56
Should I Tell Him?
Lauren lingered for a while before her manager Rue whisked her away. She was swamped with tasks lately - releasing a single and shooting a promotional video. She had a heavyweight supporter like the Martin Group. Besides, her comeback had caused quite a stir in the industry.
Blessings to her poured in from other celebrities.
But amidst the excitement, Lauren fretted over one thing: she wanted to enlist the help of a renowned composer and lyricist, Isaac Whitman, for her new song. However, Isaac hadn't appeared in public for a while, and reaching him seemed impossible.
After some contemplation, Lauren resolved to confide in Benjamin. "Benjamin, I want to invite Isaac Whitman to write lyrics for my song, but I can't find his contact. Can you help?" "Isaac Whitman?"
"Yes, him. Despite his absence, he's still revered by artists and fans alike. If he collaborates, I believe it'll yield great results. Can you help?"
He had become popular since he was young. He was very talented, but he was aloof and rarely interacted with others. Very few people could come into contact with him.
Benjamin hesitated. "Contacting him will be difficult. Can your comeback wait? How about I ask Curtis to approach another talented songwriter?"
"Benjamin, please. I really want Isaac to write my song's lyrics."
Lauren's insistence was not only to demonstrate Benjamin's care but also to save face in front of Harper.
She couldn't afford to be rebuffed, especially in Harper's presence.
Benjamin became serious, his gaze turning cold.
Seeing this, Lauren's eyes welled up. "Benjamin, I'm sorry for overstepping. I shouldn't have troubled you. It's my fault for being too presuming. I just want to better myself, to find the person I was a year ago, I..."
"I'll have Curtis reach out, but I can't promise anything."
With a furrowed brow, Benjamin's countenance remained impassive.
"Thank you! I knew I could count on you."
Lauren's smile radiated happiness, every fiber of her being brimming with joy.
She cast a thriving glance at Harper, silently asserting, "See? He cares for me the most."
As if to say again, "Harper, have you seen it? The person Benjamin loves most is me." Harper, however, barely reacted to her behaviors.
She had been indifferent to Lauren's affairs.
For almost half a month, Benjamin remained hospitalized, mostly under Harper's care.
Despite brief respites when Lauren was around, he summoned Harper whenever he needed.
Harper couldn't help but wonder if Benjamin didn't want Lauren to overexert herself or if he simply didn't want her presence.
Despite finding it odd, Harper didn't dwell on it. She hoped Benjamin would soon be discharged, especially since the Martin family had begun to suspect something, as they hadn't gone back home in weeks. Upon his discharge, Harper received a call from Paul.
Paul's worried voice inquired, "Harper, what's going on with you and Benjamin? Has he mistreated you again? Why haven't you come home for dinner?"
His sound and questions indicated that he was really worried.
As Harper prepared to respond, the phone was snatched from her hand. Benjamin's deep voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, injected the conversation, "Grandpa, we are fine. Just want to spend some private time together."
"Benjamin, be nice to your wife, or you'll regret it. Taking her home for dinner tonight. I want to see her."
"Alright, I'll bring her."
Returning the phone to Harper, Benjamin's gaze remained fixed on her.
Harper asked calmly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Grandpa misses you. I need to check if I take good care of you, or he'll grill me later."
He wore a playful smile.
Harper was taken aback. "I am the one who has been taking care of you. I will tell him the truth."
"What kind of truth will you tell Grandpa?" His sudden closeness caught Harper off guard.
"Tell him I made you worried?"
As Harper attempted to push him away, he grasped her hand, chuckling softly. "Grandpa would appreciate you taking care of me."
Benjamin's varied reactions left Harper wondering if he was somewhat drawn to her.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
Benjamin could never fall for her.
He would be gentle with any woman as long as they were married.
That evening, as they arrived at the Martin Manor, Paul looked at Harper and said, "Harper, you seem more delicate. Are you eating properly?"
He looked worried.
Harper reassured him, "I'm fine, Grandpa, don't worry."
Though she occasionally vomited, it wasn't frequent.
While Paul remained concerned, he didn't press further. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Benjamin.
"Benjamin, do you still respect me as your grandfather?"
"Of course I am," Benjamin said.
"I doubt you take this family seriously anymore. Concealing your accident from the family. Hiding your injury from me because of a woman. How could you be so callous?"
Although the scars on his face have disappeared, the injuries on his feet are not completely healed. Benjamin tried his best to remain normal. No way Paul could tell that by the appearance. Paul's reproach cast a pall over the room.
Benjamin's expression hardened, his eyes darting to Harper.
Her heart clenched at the scrutiny.
Scott interjected, "Benjamin, it's not Harper who told us. Dr. Gene mentioned it when the last time he came to visit. If not for him, we might never have known. You've let us down."
"If something happens to you, our family will be ruined. Benjamin, you shouldn't risk your life," Lily added as well.
Fortunately, nothing serious happened to Benjamin, otherwise she wouldn't know what to do.
Benjamin remained silent until they finished speaking. "Grandpa, it was an accident. I'm fine now. I didn't want to worry you."
"That's no excuse, Benjamin. Stay away from Lauren."
Paul's tone brooked no argument.
Benjamin's sullen silence hung in the air, the atmosphere tense.
Harper's mind lingered on Benjamin's earlier gaze. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke up, "Grandpa, I have something to tell you."
Harper's interruption defused the tension between Paul and Benjamin, allowing her to steer the conversation.
She escorted Paul to his room, preparing to share her dilemma. "Harper, are you trying to defend Benjamin?" Paul asked Harper once the door was closed.
"No exactly. I truly have something important to discuss."
"
"Okay, tell me, I am listening."
"Well, I'm torn. Should I tell Benjamin that we're expecting a baby?"
The question had been weighing on her.
Since Benjamin decided to delay their divorce, she had been questioning herself.
Now, she needed guidance more than ever.