Begging Her Not to Divorce: The CEO's Breakdown

"Ms. Anderson, the ligament damage to your knee is severe. If you'd come in any later, we might have been looking at amputation."

The doctor adjusted his glasses, studying Harper Anderson's solitary figure with a frown. "Are you here alone?"

Harper lowered her gaze. "Yes."

The doctor glanced at the "married" status on her chart and sighed before writing her prescription.

Harper grabbed the prescription and struggled out of the emergency room, limping on her heavily bandaged left leg.

Her phone rang. Brandon.

She took a deep breath and answered.

"Grandma wants us home for dinner tonight." Brandon Martinez's voice came through the speaker, carrying its usual detachment. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital." Harper tried to keep her voice steady. "I was in a minor car accident this afternoon. Hurt my knee a bit."

Two seconds of silence on the other end.

"How bad?"

"Not bad." Harper pressed her lips together. "I'll be home soon."

Just as she was about to hang up, a voice burst through the phone: "Mr. Martinez, no more phone calls! You lost, so accept your punishment—now you have to kiss Luna!"

Harper's heart clenched. Luna? Luna White?

Was she back from abroad?

It wasn't until after their wedding that Harper discovered Brandon already had a childhood sweetheart.

She heard Brandon chuckle through the noise. "Don't worry, I always pay my debts."

Then to Harper: "Since it's not serious, just head home."

The line went silent.

Harper limped toward the curb and hailed a cab.

When she reached the Martinez estate, Brandon’s grandmother, Margaret, rushed to her side and immediately helped her walk after seeing her bandaged leg. "Harper, what happened to your leg?"

"I tripped. It's nothing."

Harper didn't want Margaret to worry, so she lied.

Margaret clearly didn't believe her. "Where's Brandon? Why didn't he come home with you?"

At the mention of Brandon, Harper's expression darkened.

Margaret saw right through her, knowing exactly what her grandson was capable of after all the years Harper had been in the family.

Margaret's tone turned sharp with disapproval. "That boy gets worse every day. I'm calling him right now to get him home!"

She reached for her phone.

Harper quickly stopped her. "Grandma, don't. Luna's back. He's busy with her right now."

At Luna's name, Margaret's hand froze mid-air. She looked at Harper with sympathy. "Harper, sweetheart, I know these years haven't been easy for you. Don't worry—when Brandon gets home, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

Harper smiled without responding.

Three years ago, Harper met Margaret while working as a volunteer at a rehab facility.

Harper was still in university at the time, but she and the friendly, chatty Margaret bonded almost instantly.

Margaret adored Harper, often holding her hand and expressing how much she wished Harper could become part of the family.

Later, when Brandon came to visit, Harper was instantly drawn to his appearance.

Margaret, sensing Harper's feelings, used her experience to play matchmaker.

Brandon never objected during the process, and they married naturally.

Harper was unaware that Brandon’s only reason for the marriage was to get back at Luna.

At a gala, she happened to catch Brandon’s friend questioning him about whether marrying another woman just to spite Luna was a reckless move.

Brandon hadn't answered, his eyes revealing only complicated emotions.

It felt as though her heart had been stabbed, leaving behind a heavy, pulsing ache.

She was nothing more than Brandon's compromise in this marriage.

Harper stayed up until nine, but Brandon was a no-show; when she finally reached him, he brushed her off, saying he was stuck at work.

Staring at the table full of untouched food, Margaret's face showed concern. "Brandon really... no matter how busy, he should come home for dinner..."

So Margaret wouldn’t worry, Harper volunteered: "Grandma, let me take some food to Brandon."

Margaret looked from Harper’s face to her bandaged leg and patted her hand sympathetically, saying she felt bad for being a burden.

Seeing the guilt on Margaret's face, Harper smiled gently. "It's no trouble, Grandma."

Margaret grasped Harper's hand, her tone earnest. "Harper, you're the one I've chosen for this family. Whatever Luna does, don't let it bother you. If Brandon wrongs you even slightly, I'll be the first to deal with him!"

Harper nodded quietly, saying nothing more.

Thirty minutes later, she showed up at the Martinez Group Tower with a thermal lunch box in hand.

Every step sent a sharp, needle-like pain through her knee, but she pushed through it and kept heading toward Brandon's office.

The door stood ajar, light spilling out, accompanied by laughter.

A woman's laughter—crisp, melodious, tinged with flirtation.

Harper spotted Brandon at his large desk while Luna sat across from him on the couch, sipping red wine with a seductive look in her eyes.

The office was empty, making their private meeting feel uncomfortably close and personal.

"Brandon, do you remember our college days?" Luna's voice dripped with nostalgia. "That pool party you threw for my birthday—you got drunk and fell into the pool."

Brandon chuckled softly. "I remember."

Luna's voice turned wistful. "Those days were so good. We didn't have to think about anything. Just being together was enough."

Harper stood outside the door. Her hand slipped, and the food container clattered to the floor.

Hearing the noise, both turned. They saw Harper, disheveled and pale.

"What are you doing here?" Brandon glanced at Harper's bandaged leg, his brow furrowing, his tone annoyed. "You said it was just a minor injury. Was all this bandaging really necessary?"

"You must be Harper. I'm Luna, Brandon's friend."

Luna moved to Brandon's side. Noticing Harper's uncomfortable expression, she patted his shoulder and said gently, "Brandon, Harper's injured. How can you speak to her that way? You should go comfort your wife."

Harper looked Luna over, noting how her elegance and poise made her feel completely out of place in her own messy state.

No wonder Brandon loved her so much.

At Luna's words, Brandon stepped toward Harper.

Suddenly, Harper spotted it—a lipstick mark on Brandon's white collar.

Vivid and unmistakable, like a blood-red rose, it seared her eyes.

The exact shade Luna was wearing.