Tangled Temptations

Brett was the first to step out of the car. He moved around to the passenger's side, opened the door, and watched her in the darkness. Orlena's slender neck was tensed to the point where a trace of a vein was visible.

Brett was patient. Eventually, Orlena stepped out of the car, paying him no mind as she walked ahead.

Under the dim streetlight, her petite figure was hidden in the shadow of the sycamore tree. Early autumn had caused the leaves to wilt, adding an air of melancholy to the scene.

Brett closed the car door. He hurriedly caught up with her, grabbing her by the wrist and pulled her into his arms before she could react.

Perhaps it was the allure of the night or the emotions stirred by the setting, and he lost all self control. He kissed her under the tree, holding her head and pressing her against the tree trunk with nearly violent force. It was so intense that she

could hardly breathe.noveldrama

"Brett! Let me go!"

Orlena pounded on his shoulder, struggling fiercely, but she couldn't break free from his grasp. Soon, her senses were filled with the scent of tobacco. His scent was everywhere.

Brett appeared clean, but only she knew when he had tainted her, his subtle masculine fragrance would linger on her for a long time.

The rough kiss lasted for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he released her. Then, his lean, handsome face was met with a slap, the sound particularly noticeable in the quiet night.

Brett was known for his charisma. But almost everyone knew he had a bad temper. Women were merely a diversion to him, none of whom dared to act spoiled or even slap him.

Only Orlena did.

After the slap, she turned her head away, tears brimming in her eyes. "What gives you the right to kiss me? Brett, what do you think I am? Did you bring me here to continue being your secret mistress?"

Brett ran his tongue over his lip, tasting blood. She was stronger than he thought. His gaze was deep. "I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself."

He hadn't been with her in a long time, and he wasn't above wanting her. He hadn't forgotten the passion they shared over the past few years, not for a moment. But Brett knew he had crossed a line with that kiss.

He apologized to her. "Let's go upstairs. There are some documents you need to sign."

Orlena hesitated, but agreed. They did have a child together, and given his status, she was afraid he would fight for custody.

Shortly, they entered the apartment. It was as grand as it had always been with clear signs of upkeep. The dining table even had a bowl of freshly washed fruit, all her favorites. Each one was plump and juicy.

Brett followed her gaze, then whispered as he walked to the door, "I had Donny prepare them. He still remembers what you like even after all these years."

Orlena's throat tightened. She clenched her fist, reminding herself not to be fooled by his gentle gestures again.

Brett had a way with words, and a few sentences were enough to touch anyone's heart. If she hadn't been hurt so deeply, she would have been tempted by him again, perhaps even spending the night in this luxurious apartment. But she wasn't as naive as before. She had long lost her innocence.

She spoke calmly. "I suppose you want to talk about Daniel. You can say it now and take me home afterwards. Unlike you, Mr. Brett, I respect the man I'm dating. It would be disrespectful if I were to continue seeing you."

Brett chuckled, "You care that much? You're not going to marry him?"

When she didn't respond, his gaze darkened slightly. He walked to the couch and sat down, motioning for her to sit too. "Come sit. Take a look at these documents."

Orlena pursed her lips. She sat down, and in front of her was a stack of documents. She flipped through a few pages and realized they were about Daniel's child support.

Orlena didn't refuse. Daniel was their child, so if he was willing to pay for his upbringing, she had no reason to refuse.

This was what Eloise had said. If a woman can't get a man, then she should get his money. For example, when Eloise broke up with Harvey, the checks he threw at her increased in amount each time.

But Brett made things complicated. She was a top student from a business school, but even she felt dizzy looking at these documents.

Brett was watching her. She looked healthier than before, and she had put on some weight. He found it strange, Orlena wasn't exactly young but she still had baby fat, probably because she was carefree and didn't worry too much.

Right now, she was frowning, looking worried. Brett smiled at her helplessness, knowing that with her intellect, she would need all night to understand these documents.

He liked seeing her like this.

He went to cut some fruit. In the past, when she stayed over at his place, she didn't do anything but call his name under the sheets. He took care of everything else. Now, even though he couldn't do anything to her, he still wanted to take care of her with her being around.

Brett carefully selected a few fruits, cut them into a fruit platter, and placed it in front of her.

Orlena looked at him. He met her gaze and said, "I didn't put anything weird in there."

He had seen her having dinner with a man at a high-end restaurant earlier in the evening. Through the window, he noticed she barely ate anything, probably because the food didn't suit her taste.

Orlena ate a few pieces of fruit. From the side, her mouth full of fruit, and she looked somewhat adorable.

Brett felt a softness in his heart and spoke gently, "There's food in the fridge, let me cook for you."

Orlena was clearly taken aback. She put down the documents, suddenly speaking a soft voice, "Mr. Brett, our past is behind us. Apart from Daniel, we have no relation. Don't act like we're still together, because there's no need for that." Brett was tying an apron. At her words, he paused and looked at her, "Orlena, what if I want to?"

The silence in the room was deafening.

This apartment was filled with too many memories of them, sweet and passionate, but now there was nothing like that, only a pale, lifeless atmosphere with mutual indifference.

Brett untied the apron, walking back to his original seat. He decided to lay it all out for her. "Orlena. The documents in your hands represent the majority of my personal assets. What I've retained is only what the Noland family can't part with. You should know that this is far more than child support. Orlena, stop calling me Mr. Brett, call me Brett."

Orlena's voice was somewhat stiff, "You want to get back together?"

Brett looked troubled. He had never begged anyone or lowered his pride in his life, but that day, he had kneeled before the Horigan family.

In the heat of the moment, he wanted to marry her. But then something happened

in Brockville, two technicians died in that program. Both of them were killed in the car crashes. The scenes were gruesome, no survivors.

Brett couldn't risk her life or Daniel's by involving them. He couldn't tell her the truth, because this project was top secret, and it had been in the works for three years. Nobody knew he had a child, except Donny. So he gave her these papers, with a single request, "Orlena, wait for me for two years."

Orlena felt like the air was sucked out of her lungs. Her lips trembled, and it took a while for her to recover. After a long time, she finally whispered, "Why should I wait for you? You always kept me waiting. Either in Peterborough, or in this apartment. Now you want me to keep waiting after three years. Mr. Brett, how many two years do you think a woman has?"

She was in her early thirties now. She had borne his child, and now he wanted her to wait for another two years.

She understood what he meant. She was his mistress. He would visit her in Peterborough when he could, just like three years ago. How dare he make such demands!

Orlena pushed the papers away. Her face was colder than when she had arrived, "Mr. Brett, I don't want any of this."

Brett just sat there.

When Orlena left, he didn't stop her. He just dialed Donny and said, exhausted, "She's gone. Take her home."

Then he hung up.

He silently picked up the papers, looking at the figures. All he wanted to give her.

She didn't want it. Yes, the Horigan family didn't lack money.

He, the glorious Mr. Brett, couldn't give her love or a stable life. In other words, he couldn't give her anything she wanted. She wasn't willing to wait, and she was right. Why should she wait for him? He was older, and he had to keep her hidden from the world.

Brett leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes. Despite his restraint, there was a warmth in his eyes.

Orlena didn't let Donny take her home. She hailed a cab. She cried her heart out

in the car. The driver couldn't bear to see her like this and handed her a box of tissues.

She cried as she dialed Eloise's number.

It was late, but Eloise answered quickly, her voice gentle, "Orlena, what's wrong?"

Orlena sobbed. She pressed a tissue to her nose, her voice choked, "Eloise, he's such a bastard! How could he do this to me! I used to think he liked me, but now, I hate him."

Eloise listened to her childish words. She shook her head, feeling both amused and sympathetic. After calming her down, she said softly, "Are you in the car? Why don't you come over?"

Orlena agreed, sniffling.

Eloise hung up and dialed Brett. She was stuck in the middle and it was hard for

her. She spoke gently, "Uncle Brett, Orlena called me. I invited her over for tonight."

Brett's voice was hoarse, "She didn't eat much for dinner. Make sure she eats something."

Eloise agreed. She hung up and went to the kitchen to make some late-night

snacks.

Harvey followed her in. As he was making milk for Linda, he casually asked, "Did

they have a fight?"

Eloise nodded, lifting the lid off a pot.

As she took the chicken soup off the stove, the smell of oil made her feel

nauseous.

This feeling was familiar.