Harper quickly lowered her head and kept eating, but she couldn't shake off the look Joseph had just given her.
Was he doubting if she took her birth control on time?
If so, what a jerk.
The rest of the meal was silent.
That evening, Harper and Joseph went back to their room.
Harper stared at the queen-sized bed, feeling it was almost mocking her.
They used to share this bed when they visited the Lucas villa, but things were different now.
Harper couldn't imagine lying next to Joseph anymore.
While she was lost in thought, Joseph walked to the sofa, took off his coat, and started unbuttoning his shirt.
Seeing this, Harper turned away and mumbled, "I'll sleep in the guest room."
Joseph paused, looked at her, and said in a flat voice, "If you sleep in the guest room and Dad finds out, do you want to upset him again?"
Harper bit her lip, not expecting Joseph to think so little of her.
She didn't mean it like that; she just couldn't stop her heart from racing when she thought about that night.
But how could Joseph act like nothing happened and stay in the same room with her?
"Dad's condition just stabilized; don't stress him out again."
Joseph's cold eyes met Harper's, indifferent and distant.
Harper's heart ached; he really didn't care about her at all.
"I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."
Joseph lay down on the sofa, his presence so imposing it kept her at a distance.
What else could she think?
Harper laughed bitterly, pushing down the pain in her heart. She walked to the closet, organizing her clothes, lost in thought.
Just yesterday, she and Joseph were so close, but now that they decided to divorce, he didn't even want to be near her.
When would this mess end?
Maybe it would all clear up once she and Joseph were no longer connected.
After all, Joseph didn't owe her anything.
At that moment, Joseph's phone rang, and the name Olivia flashed on the screen, making Harper, who was heading to the bathroom, stop in her tracks.
"Hey."
"Joseph, are you awake?"
Joseph's voice was smooth and soft, "Not yet, what's up?"
Olivia's voice came through clearly, her gentle tone oddly matching Joseph's.
Harper, standing nearby, held her breath and then turned to the bathroom.
"Not a big deal," Olivia's voice, as refreshing as a breeze, came through the phone again. "I just heard about your job situation."
Joseph pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. "The company's in a rough spot right now; I need to stay on for a while."
Olivia's mood seemed to shift with his. "Can we meet tomorrow? I have something to tell you."
"Alright."
"Bring Harper along; I have something to tell her too."
Joseph opened his eyes, his gaze as deep and calm as the night outside. His Adam's apple moved slightly, but he didn't refuse.
When Harper came out of the bathroom, she saw Joseph lying on the sofa, a blanket casually draped over his waist, exposing part of his leg.
He had his eyes closed, one hand resting on his forehead, looking like he was asleep.
Harper breathed a sigh of relief and lay down on the bed, turning off the light.
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
Joseph's sudden question startled Harper.
She glanced at Joseph on the sofa; he was staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
"Anything?"
"Olivia wants to see you. I didn't refuse."
Joseph's voice was calm and straightforward, without any extra emotion.
Harper frowned. See me?
"She already knows about our relationship."
Harper's heart skipped a beat. Olivia knew?
Did Joseph tell her?
Since Olivia knows, why does she want to meet?
Harper didn't want to face such a tense situation, but Joseph had already agreed on her behalf.
Joseph always made decisions for her, and she hated that about him.
Fine, if Joseph and Olivia are so straightforward, she wouldn't back down.
"Sure, let's have a meal together then," Harper replied nonchalantly.
She flopped down, burying her face in the blanket, feeling a sourness that seemed to spread through her chest.
Joseph looked at Harper's indifferent demeanor, a faint coldness curling at his lips. This marriage really didn't matter to her, did it?
He didn't understand why he even cared.Joseph told himself that the one he had always waited for was Olivia, and his three-year marriage with Harper was just a mistake.He didn't love Harper, did he?