Tangled Temptations

Three days later.

Brett arrived from Brockville. As the car pulled up, the driver held the door open for him.

Brett felt a wave of emotion. He hadn't initially been fond of Harvey, but over the years, he had come to see that Harvey genuinely loved Eloise. Now, with Harvey's health failing, he had tried to arrange everything for Eloise and Linda while he still had his senses.

Brett felt pity for them all. He cared for each one of them.

Upon entering the foyer, he saw Harvey sitting on the couch, seemingly engrossed in an old newspaper. Brett strolled over and asked nonchalantly, "Eloise isn't around?"

Harvey looked up, seemingly surprised. He then stood up. "She's at Everest Technologies, handling a few things."

Brett knew that Harvey had passed on Everest Technologies to Eloise and he didn't know what to say. In the end, he whispered, "That's good. I have something important to discuss with you."

Harvey guessed that Brett's sudden arrival meant something serious was up, so he suggested, "Let's talk in the study upstairs."

Once they were in the upstairs study, Brett sat smoking, occasionally glancing up to ask, "How's your health?"

Harvey was making coffee. On hearing Brett's question, he paused. His response was quiet. "It's not looking good." After saying this, he handed Brett a cup of coffee and sat across from him.

Brett, feeling agitated, stubbed out his cigarette.

He looked at Harvey, and, choosing his words carefully, he said, "I've received some information. The medicine that Joan managed to get hold of might be linked to her ex-husband. From the surveillance footage, it seems he had contact with her in the hospital. They've taken him in for questioning, but he's slippery, and there's no concrete evidence. Given his status, they had to let him go." Harvey slowly sipped his coffee.

Brett continued, "After the divorce, he couldn't make it in Britain, so he's now a producer here. He'd certainly have the motive! But you don't have to worry, I'll keep an eye on it."

Harvey nodded.

The two of them sat drinking coffee. After a while, Harvey placed a medical record on the coffee table.

Brett picked it up, and his heart pounded the more he read. He stared in shock at Harvey, who smiled a faint and helpless smile. "Uncle, I'm starting to forget about Eloise more and more each day, even Linda..."

Brett lit another cigarette.

Suddenly, Harvey got up, kneeling down in front of Brett. Brett almost dropped his lit cigarette in surprise. "Harvey, what are you doing? You're putting me in a difficult position!"

Harvey didn't get up. His voice was low and hoarse. "My father is getting on in years, and he won't be around forever. Eloise might be capable, but in the end, she has two children to look after. Uncle, I beg you to look after them occasionally. Not just Eloise and the kids, but Orlena too... I'd appreciate it if you could help them make decisions."noveldrama

Brett didn't want to hear these words. He frowned. "Harvey, don't you dare think about dumping the whole family on me! What about Eloise? The kids?"

Harvey smiled faintly, and it was a smile full of helplessness and bitterness. "Uncle, I always tell Eloise not to give up on me, to remember to find me, but who knows what the future holds? All I want is for her to live with hope..."

Moreover, Eloise had suffered from postpartum depression before. Now, she's pregnant again. Now that he could still remember, Harvey would do everything in his power to take care of his wife and child.

Brett, hearing this, felt even more upset. He finished his cigarette in silence, and patted Harvey's shoulder. "Harvey, I promise!"

His voice choked. "Don't be gone too long. Remember to come back soon! Eloise and the kids are waiting for you, we...we're waiting for you too!"

Harvey smiled faintly.

Brett sat for a while longer and then left. On the staircase, he bumped into Orlena, who was carrying a tray of food. She had prepared a meal.

Brett paused, looking at her. He then took out a cigarette from his pocket. "You learned to cook?"

Orlena nodded. "It just doesn't taste very good."

Brett gave a small smile. His eyes were slightly teary. Orlena noticed, and despite their past, she sincerely said, "Thank you for visiting my brother."

Brett's smile faded. He looked at the girl he once loved, and a thousand emotions welled up. He thought he had it rough, but compared to Harvey, he seemed lucky.

Brett had to go; he had business to attend to. He put the cigarette between his lips, and gently patted Orlena's hair. "I'm leaving now. Call me if you need anything."

Orlena nodded.

Brett looked at her a little longer, then withdrew his hand and slowly descended the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom, he suddenly turned around and asked, "How did things turn out with that guy?"

Orlena was silent for a moment. She spoke bitterly, "It didn't work out. We broke up." After saying this, she went upstairs.

Brett watched her disappear up the stairs. He should've been happy about her unsuccessful dates, but he couldn't feel happy. He knew all too well that if it weren't for his and Daniel's existence in her life, she could've easily found a good man to settle down with. In the end, he had held her back.

...

When Eloise returned, it was already night. She found Harvey in the study. He was reading his diary. Upon seeing Eloise, he put the diary back in the drawer as usual.

Eloise didn't confront him. She walked over to him and gently embraced him. "Uncle Brett was here today?"

Harvey nodded. He wanted to share with Eloise what Brett had told him, but as he tried to speak, his mind suddenly went blank.

Noticing Harvey's confused expression, Eloise felt a pang of worry. She knew his memory was deteriorating. She didn't want him to strain himself.

Eloise took his hand and placed it on her belly, whispering, "Orlena is looking after Linda tonight. Harvey, let's go for a walk in the garden, okay?"

He had been cooped up at home for far too many days. She knew he wouldn't leave because he was afraid he'd forget the way back home.

Eloise was torn and heartbroken. Was she the one who had shackled his freedom? Harvey wouldn't have had to struggle so much if it weren't for her.

In the courtyard, she clutched his fingers tightly, savoring the last vestiges of warmth. Under the moonlight, she looked up at her husband. He was still attractive, but sometimes, his gaze was distant and unfamiliar.

He began to wander off, and one day, Eloise found a note in his pocket. It was a reminder he had written to himself.

"Go to the basement, until you remember Eloise..."

Seeing the note, Eloise wept for a long time. She thought she couldn't keep him

by her side anymore. In her arms, he was losing his joy...

Harvey, even if had forgotten Eloise, was still Harvey.

At night, Eloise fell asleep in tears. When she woke up early in the morning, there was a white rose by her pillow, dew-fresh as always, stirring a sweetness in her heart. Softly, she called out, "Harvey..."

The bedroom was silent. A sense of unease welled up inside Eloise. She didn't even bother to put on her shoes before rushing downstairs.

"Harvey... Harvey..."

"Harvey!"