Tangled Temptations

Eloise's heart was pounding. She mustered all her strength not to break down into tears and, as alway, she walked in.

Harvey set his diary aside. His slender fingers gently caressed the drawer. When he looked up, his gaze was tender. "Is Linda asleep?" He asked.

Eloise set down the fruit platter and nestled against him, pulling his hand to her belly. "She's asleep, but this little one is waiting for you."

Harvey's palm gently massaged the spot, feeling the unborn child. Unfortunately, it was too early to feel any movement, otherwise, he would have at least felt the pulse of his kid.

He leaned closer to her, and their noses were touching. It was an intimate, wordless gesture. Teasing her, he asked, "Does the baby miss me, or do you want to sleep with me?"

Eloise looped her arms around his neck. She was wearing only a thin silk nightdress, which was easy to undress. In the past, he would have indulged in the moment, but she was pregnant, and he was preoccupied.

Harvey kissed her softly, a slow, lingering kiss. His large hand kept teasing her. Finally, he leaned against her forehead and whispered, "Oh, Eloise, it would be so good if this moment could last forever! That could be our happy ending."noveldrama

Eloise's eyes glistened, and her fingertips silenced him. "Harvey, we're not married yet. How can we have reached the end?"

Harvey's gaze was intense. He stared at her for a long time before murmuring, "Let's get married tomorrow, Eloise. Just the two of us, alright?"

Eloise croaked out a "yes."

...

The next morning.

Harvey didn't go for his morning run but called Denise, asking her to prepare some documents. Denise arrived in the afternoon and was led to the second-floor study by the maid.

Despite her mixed feelings, Denise managed to put on a professional smile. "Mr. Horigan! I've prepared the documents!"

Harvey nodded and took the papers. It was a hefty stack of stock transfer documents for Everest Technologies. Harvey was transferring all his sixty-five percent shareholdings to his wife, Eloise. All it needed was her signature and a notary public, and it would take immediate effect.

Harvey looked it over. He handed it to Eloise and said softly, "Our child might inherit Horigan Inc. in the future, but Everest Technologies is for you! I'll have a professional manager involved in the operation, and with Denise here, Eloise, you can handle it!"

He might not have been able to stay with her till the end, but providing her with a safety net was a husband's duty!

Moreover, with these assets, Eloise wouldn't feel inferior or retreat when facing him with memory loss. If he upset her, she could send him packing.

Eloise's lips quivered. "Aren't we getting married? I don't want anything, Harvey, I only want you!"

But he had to settle his affairs.

Harvey gently stroked her head and smiled. "That's why this is a betrothal gift!" He was afraid he would hurt her in the future, so while he was still lucid, he was giving her everything!

Despite the impending wedding, the somber mood made Eloise cry.

Denise quietly exited the room. Outside, she couldn't hold back her tears, feeling sorry for her boss and Eloise.

Back in the study.

Eloise stood by the window, resisting. Harvey understood her thoughts. He walked over, hugged her from behind, and whispered, "Don't cry, okay?"

Eloise couldn't help but feel upset.

Harvey used his warm fingers to wipe away her tears, making up stories to cheer her up. "Silly! As the CEO of Everest Technologies, no matter where I go, I can always see you! Eloise, do you think I can escape your grasp?"

Eloise turned around in his arms and buried her face into his chest. His shirt was soaked with her tears. It was extremely uncomfortable, but he didn't mind because these tender moments were becoming fewer each day.

In the end, Eloise signed the documents. She took Harvey's place as the new CEO of Everest Technologies, a company valued at over 200 billion dollars.

Their wedding was a private affair. In a small chapel, a Bible and a pair of wedding rings were placed on the altar.

Harvey was in a tuxedo, with a white shirt and black velvet jacket, just the way Eloise loved him.

Eloise was less than two months pregnant, and her belly was not yet showing. She chose a simple wedding dress, with a slim waist, and her long, brown hair was cascading down her back. It was a picture of romantic beauty.

They exchanged rings. As their fingers touched, Harvey gazed into Eloise's eyes and murmured, "I promise, to cherish our marriage, to never forsake or betray you."

Eloise's eyes were filled with warmth. She looked at her newly-wedded husband and whispered back, "I promise too, to cherish our love, to never leave or forsake you, no matter where we are, we will never part."

Harvey leaned down and kissed her. That was their wedding night, and they returned to their first apartment.

The master bedroom was filled with roses. Harvey held Eloise and gently set her down on the soft bed. It was on this bed that they made love for the first time. On this bed, they had passionately made love countless times. If tomorrow was the end of the world, Harvey's only wish was to take Eloise back to their beginning... And lose themselves in each other.

She was pregnant, and he was always considerate. He whispered in her ear, "Eloise, I want to see you happy, can I?"

Eloise's body shivered, and she closed her eyes. Tears were falling from the corners of her eyes, but she still slowly undid her bathrobe.

For him, she laid herself bare.

...

Late into the night, they returned to the villa.

Eloise fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion, but Linda woke up. She was a sensitive child, and she had noticed the tense atmosphere at home. She didn't want to bother her parents.

The little girl lay awake, eyes wide open. Harvey wrapped Linda in a small blanket and carried her to the living room, gently cooing her.

The room was bathed in a warm yellow light. Linda lay on her father's lap, eyes closed, listening to him read a story. She knew the stories by heart, but she loved hearing her father read them.

As Harvey read, he gently stroked her curly hair. Suddenly, he spoke up, "Linda, do you know Daddy might have to go on a business trip?"

Linda slowly opened her eyes.

Harvey's fingers lingered, and his voice grew deeper and more husky. "I might have to go somewhere quite far away, and I might be gone for a long time, Linda... Can you help Mommy take care of your little brother while I'm gone?"

Linda didn't move. After a long while, she finally asked softly, "Daddy, is it cold over there?"

Harvey gave a light laugh. "It's a bit chilly."

Linda's voice was nasal. "Then Daddy, you should pack lots of sweaters and jackets, so you won't be cold. When I get a break from school, I'll come visit you. My body is warm. so if I hug you, you won't be cold."

Harvey's throat tightened. He bent down to kiss his little girl. Oh, how much he loved her! She was so bright and adorable, and he couldn't bear to leave her. He couldn't stop kissing her and calling her name, "Linda... Linda..."

Linda's eyes were full of tears. She nestled into Harvey's chest and asked in a tiny voice, "How long will you be gone, Daddy?"

Harvey held her close. After a long silence, he finally murmured, "I don't know! Maybe three years, or maybe five years... or maybe until you grow up!"

Linda didn't cry. She hugged her father, soaking up his warmth.