Tangled Temptations

Harvey came home late that evening, around 9 o'clock. Eloise was with Linda, helping her play the piano. Linda sat upright in her little dress, attempting to play the keys with all the seriousness a child could muster.

Harvey removed his coat, casually tossed it on the couch, and walked over to Eloise, whispering, "She just got out of the hospital. Shouldn't she get a few more days of rest?"

He loved his daughter and didn't want to reproach Eloise.

Eloise smiled softly, "She wanted to play."

She smelled a hint of alcohol on him and lowered her voice, "You went to have business dinner tonight?"

Harvey gave a slight chuckle, gently rubbing her back, he murmured, "Can you whip up some spaghetti for me? I didn't eat much tonight. I just had drinks."

Eloise gave him a look that said a thousand words. She got up to prepare him a plate of spaghetti. As she was about to walk away, he pulled her back, his nose brushing against hers as he said, "There were other women there, but I didn't let them get close. Eloise, I wouldn't do anything to upset you."

Eloise blushed. She bit her lip lightly, "I didn't say anything."

Harvey's gaze was intense, "But I wanted to tell you."

Eloise couldn't stand the look in his eyes. It was so clear, and it was exactly the kind of look a man would get when he was begging for sex with a woman. She glanced at Linda, reminding him to behave.

Only then did Harvey release her. He sat down next to Linda, gently tousling her curls, "What's gotten into our Linda? Being so diligent all of a sudden?"

Linda stopped playing. She climbed onto Harvey's lap, gave him a peck on the cheek, “Today at kindergarten, Maggie played the piano, and Luca was watching her the whole time."

The little girl was disheartened. Maggie had been learning piano for a year, and she played better.

Harvey couldn't help but chuckle. Even at such a young age, she was already taking things to heart. He cradled Linda, letting her sit on his lap, "Then you have to practice harder than usual, and you will definitely play better than her.”noveldrama

Linda's face turned red. Her tiny fingers scampered over the piano keys, and after a while, she spoke with a pout, "But I want to be a lawyer when I grow up."

Harvey kissed her chubby cheeks, "That doesn't conflict. Being a lawyer is something for the future, and for now, you can learn to play the piano well."

His words gave Linda a way out. She clenched her tiny fists; she wasn't doing this for Luca.

In the midst of their conversation, Eloise had prepared the spaghetti and placed it on the dining table. Harvey gave Linda's head another pat, letting her continue to play the piano. It wasn't until Linda was taking a bath that Eloise had the chance to talk to him seriously.

From the children's room, the sound of Linda taking a bath could be heard. Eloise was tidying up the room. Harvey sat on the sofa, watching her silhouette, his heart pounding. Eloise was truly back, taking care of the family like a wife. He loved having her by his side.

His voice was husky, "Do you have something you want to say?"

Eloise, holding Linda's little pajamas in her hands, turned around at his words and lowered her voice, "I saw it. Harvey, Linda is still young. You really don't need to decide her future so early."

Harvey pulled out a cigar from his pocket, not lighting it, just playing with it between his fingers. He extended his hand towards her.

Eloise hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to him, and couldn't help but call his name again, "Harvey!"

Harvey gently stroked her cheek, his voice husky, "Today I played golf with Luca's father. We discussed a project, and I invested 200 million in his company."

Eloise was against it, "Harvey, money can't buy feelings."

Harvey gazed at her, smiling faintly, "But it can buy Linda's safety."

Linda's unique condition made her really need someone like Luca. Regardless of his family background, the most crucial factor was that he had AB-negative blood. Furthermore, the kid was outstanding, and his eyes were full of ambition.

A man's intuition led Harvey to make this decision.

Eloise knew he had made a decision that she was definitely not happy about, but she couldn't point out where he was wrong.

Harvey wrapped his arm around her waist, speaking softly, "Eloise, I know you'll be upset, so aren't we discussing this?"

Eloise couldn't help but laugh, “You call this discussing, when you've clearly already made up your mind."

Harvey stared at her. After a while, he chuckled, "Yes, I've made up my mind. Just waiting for Mrs. Horigan's approval."

He was shameless, and Eloise wasn't going to indulge him.

Just then, Linda came out of the bathroom, her small body topped with a head of brown curls. Any anger Eloise felt evaporated. She dried Linda off with a towel and helped her into her little pajamas.

Harvey went downstairs to pour Linda some milk. When he came back upstairs, he saw that Eloise had changed into her nightgown and seemed ready to sleep with Linda. He chuckled, handed the milk to the little one, and then gently said, "Tonight, Linda is sleeping with Mom and Dad."

Eloise was speechless, but Linda was already clutching her milk bottle, hanging on her dad, clamoring to move.

With a smile playing on his lips, Harvey cradled Linda's bottom and carried her towards the master bedroom. He took a few steps before deliberately looking back at Eloise, "Aren't you coming?"

Eloise followed him, dragging her feet.

Inside the master bedroom, the lights were dim and warm. Harvey put the little one on the bed, and checked her wound. The scab had formed; just looking at it made his heart ache. He couldn't help but lean down and kiss it.

Eloise watched him. He was completely different from the Harvey of the past, maybe he still liked to say cheeky things when they were alone, and was unrestrained in bed, but he was a good father.

Just as Eloise was thinking, she didn't realize that Harvey was looking towards her. His gaze was so tender. As the lights dimmed, he reached across Linda to hold her hand and whispered, "Are you still upset?"

Eloise's slender fingers traced his palm. "Not upset for now."

"Then, shall I invite the Luca's family over?"

...

Eloise really wanted to take back what she had just said.

In the darkness, Harvey chuckled softly, "Eloise, if you're still upset, you can come

and torment me."

Eloise ignored him and closed her eyes to sleep. He was so shameless.

But in the middle of the night, Harvey quietly slid over to her side and in a few quick moves, he had her.

Eloise's voice was pleading, "Stop, let's go to the guest room. Linda will wake up."

Harvey scooped her up in his arms, planting kisses along the way. By the time they reached the guestroom, Eloise was already a mess.

Afterwards, she leaned against his shoulder, exhaustion pulling her towards sleep. Still, she managed to say, "Harvey, how come you're always thinking about sex?"

He had been lying on his back, but now he rolled onto his side, his eyes taking in her delicate face in the dim light. He whispered, "Eloise, I'm 33. Do you know how much time we've really spent together in the last five years? My prime years, I've given them all to you."

Eloise reached up to touch his face, "And whose fault is that?"

Perhaps it was the softness of the late hour, allowing them to broach topics they usually avoided or didn't dare bring up.

"It's my fault," Harvey admitted in a hoarse whisper. "Eloise, can you not be mad at me anymore? I'll treat you right from now on."

...

He couldn't resist pulling her close, their bodies fitting together perfectly in his arms. He had been without her for too long.

The reason he made love with her so much, beyond the physical desire, was his urgent need to prove that she still belonged to him.

The night was still young. Harvey rolled over, once again claiming Eloise as his

own.