Harper returned home after saying goodbye to Olivia, only to find an extra pair of women's shoes on the shoe rack.
She sighed, realizing her mother-in-law, Ava, had arrived.
Regretting not having left earlier, Harper reluctantly changed her shoes.
Ava sat on the sofa, engrossed in TV and munching on fried chicken.
She glanced back at the sound of the door, then resumed watching.
Harper wanted to head straight to the bedroom, but it meant passing by the sofa. It was practically unavoidable.
She had to walk over and say faintly, "Mom, what brings you here?"
“What!” Ava glanced at her. “I can’t come to my son’s house?”
Harper put on a polite yet subtly awkward smile. "Of course, you certainly can."
Ava grimaced, her eyes glued to the TV. "Didn't you know that Joseph had a good-looking and capable first love that has returned?"
Harper's eyes drooped and remained silent.
Ava gave Harper a complicated look and continued, "You and Joseph are from different worlds. Divorce while you're young. It's better for both of you."
Harper, unable to bear it, revealed, "We were going to finalize our divorce today."
Surprised, Ava froze, then the impatience on her face immediately swept away. "Really?"
After years of subtly and overtly expressing herself, this woman remained unresponsive. Finally, she was willing to let go.
Harper looked at her undisguised excitement and said nonchalantly, "But your son missed his appointment."
Ava's face froze, then added," No way!"
Harper was getting a divorce. Joseph should be overjoyed. How could he miss an appointment?
Although he'd treated the woman pretty well over the years, Ava knew that it was out of duty, not love.
Harper bristled, the look on her face clearly saying, 'if you don't believe me, go ask him yourself.'
Then she went straight to her room, regardless of how Ava reacted.
Lost in thought, Ava looked at Harper's back view and proceeded to flip out her cell phone to call Joseph.
This was something she didn't believe in at all!
Joseph had just gotten out of the shower when he was confronted by Ava. "Harper wanted to divorce you and you didn't show up?"
He raised a hand and pinched his brow. "I had something important to attend to."
Ava cheered up. "What's more important than divorce? Get the paperwork done as soon as possible, and you'll be relieved once you get the divorce certificate."
Joseph's face suddenly turned cold as he listened to her voice and said in a deep voice, "I'll handle it. Mom, stay out of it."
The displeasure in his tone made Ava freeze, and before she could react, the opposite party hung up.
Joseph threw his phone on the bed and took a sip of his drink.
Harper must have told Ava about the divorce.
Was she afraid he would delay it?
Did she ask someone to urge him?
Wasn't she waiting for that man?
Or was she so anxious to end the marriage for Patrick?
On the weekend, Harper returned to the Lucas villa alone.
Mia gave her a gift box and said mysteriously, "Open it."
Harper reached out and took it, only to see that it contained an excellent necklace.
Even Harper, a layman, could tell at a glance that the price was high.
"I was traveling with a friend the other day and I accidentally saw this necklace. I thought it suited you then, so I bought it straight away," Mia said.
Harper carefully set the box down. "Ms. Miller, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
With a disgruntled grunt, Mia took the necklace without a second thought and put it right on Harper.
"What are you talking about? Not to mention that this necklace isn't worth much, even if it is really expensive, you should keep it anyhow!"
Henry added, "You are the daughter-in-law of ourLucas family, and this is your home. You deserve everything we give you. The concept of expense holds no bearing."
Seeing the necklace on the hand, Harper felt a sense of inexplicable sorrow.
She knew Henry and Mia genuinely liked her, but she felt unworthy because she and Joseph were about to divorce.
Harper cleared her throat, ready to tell them about the divorce.
But then the door opened.
Then Joseph's tall figure walked in.
Mia looked at him in surprise. "Why are you here now?"
Joseph glanced at Harper on the sofa and said, "I attend a forum in Lindwood City and come straight back here."
Harper didn't look at him, but it was clear that this was not a good time to talk about divorce.
After a few words, Henry suddenly said, "I have something to tell you."
Joseph and Harper looked at him. "In half a month, it will be our 20th wedding anniversary, and I never had a wedding for Mia, so I want to have a big celebration."
"That's great!" Harper was genuinely happy.
Joseph also had a rare smile on his face. "Happy anniversary."
Henry smiled, "It's not enough to just wish. You two should come early to help."
Harper's expression froze for a moment, and she glanced at Joseph, but he didn't look at her.
After dinner, they went home together.
Joseph drove a car from the Lucas villa, and Harper sat in the passenger seat, hesitating how to speak.
He noticed Harper's expression and his hand on the steering wheel tightened.
Joseph cleared his throat and said, "My dad and Ms. Miller are preparing for the wedding. Let's not spoil their happiness. Can you wait until after their wedding to get divorced?"
Harper didn't understand. "We can also get divorced first without telling them. Even if we divorce, I will still attend their wedding with you."
Joseph said coldly, "I disagree."
Harper fell silent.
'Do we have to wait again?'
Joseph frowned. "They all like you very much. It's a rare happy event in the family. If we suddenly divorce now, they will be unhappy, and I'm sure you don't want that."
Harper remained silent, still looking down.
After a while, she suddenly answered irrelevantly, "Ms. Miller gave me a necklace today."
Joseph glanced at her neck, and the necklace looked quite rare.
He didn't know why Harper suddenly mentioned this. He turned his head and drove seriously. "This necklace suits you very well."
Harper chuckled. "Ms. Miller said the same."
She paused and compromised. "Then let's wait until after their wedding to get the divorce certificate."
Joseph turned his head to look at Harper, who was sitting very obediently in her seat, playing with the necklace with her right hand.
He withdrew his gaze and smiled.