Tangled Temptations

As dusk fell, a black SUV slowly pulled into the mansion. The driver stepped out to open the door for Eloise.

A servant approached, whispering, "He is in the study."

Eloise nodded and slowly ascended the stairs, gently pushing open the door to the study.

Harvey sat behind the desk. The dim light cast a shadow across his handsome face. The computer before him played a video of Eloise at a press conference, a scene he had watched countless times that afternoon.

Beside him lay a diary.

Eloise stepped in, and he looked up at her. She was still in her elegant white suit.

Harvey extended a hand to her. She approached and gently leaned into his embrace, saying nothing but just resting against him.

Harvey removed the clip from her hair and took off her high heels. He buried his face in her hair, asking softly, "Are you tired?"

Eloise felt her nose prickling at the question. She shook her head in his arms. After a long while, she softly spoke, "Harvey, let's go to the care home."

Harvey's body stiffened slightly. Eloise kissed his neck, whispering, "It'll be easier there. You won't need to force yourself to remember me, or to remember Linda. The pain won't be as bad. Harvey, when you remember us, call, and we'll come see you." Her voice broke, because she knew that the times he could remember her were growing fewer and fewer.

Harvey squeezed his eyes shut, and pain was etched on his face.

Eloise sobbed. "Harvey, before I change my mind..." She suddenly stood, pushed him back against the chair, and then his belt was being unbuckled.

"Eloise!" Harvey's voice was husky.

Eloise kissed him. She knew what he liked the most. The things she had once been reluctant to do, she was willing now. She wanted him to remember this feeling, to bear the mark of her on his body, so even if he forgot her, he would never forget this moment.

The depth of their love was profound.

Harvey's hands clenched on the chair's armrests. He lowered his head, and his gaze was filled with affection as he drew her in for a kiss. "Enough, Eloise...it's enough..."

Her voice trembled, "Harvey, you're mine, all mine!"

...

Harvey moved into the high-end care home, and he took the diary with him.

The doctors had given him a wristband tracker, but Eloise took it off for him. It was like removing his shackles. Harvey wouldn't get lost. The worst-case scenario was that he'd forget how to get back home.

Occasionally, he would remember her. Maybe once a week, maybe once every ten days, or maybe half a month.

He would call her, whisper sweet nothings, and be eager to see her. No matter how busy Eloise was, she would always bring Linda to see him.

Linda was sensible, seemingly understanding the meaning of her father's business trips. She never made a fuss, and always cheered him up when he could remember her.

Each time, Linda would bring fairy tale books with her. She would sit in her father's lap, pouting cutely, and would ask him to read to her.

By the fourth book, Harvey could barely remember them. He held out until the baby in Eloise's belly started to move. The powerful kicking made him feel both awed and reverent. This was a small life he and Eloise had created together, and now it was really starting to move.

Harvey was fascinated by this feeling. He lay in Eloise's arms, listening to the rhythmic thumping. And then, he fell asleep.

Eloise covered her mouth, crying uncontrollably. She knew that Harvey had managed to hold on until now because of that diary. When she returned home late

at night, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of their next meeting.

The servant came forward. "Madam, there's a package for you."

Eloise took it and glanced at it casually, then froze.

Harvey had sent it!

She quickly opened it, and inside were three voice recorders, each with a label. Eloise went upstairs and turned on the voice recorder for her. After a moment of static, Harvey's deep, raspy voice came through.

"Eloise, when you hear this, I may no longer be by your side. You're probably crying, right? Silly girl, don't cry! At least we're still legally married. At least we have two children. The one in your belly is a boy. Let's call him Darrien, Darrien Horigan... Eloise, promise me you will find me. Don't give up, no matter what! Because I love you, and I can't bear to spend the rest of my life without you! Nothing in my past, no matter how carefree or wild, can compare to what I've felt with you!"

"Eloise, I love you!"

"Eloise, be brave for me one more time, okay?"

...

Eloise sat in the living room, caressing her slightly protruding belly, quietly listening. When she heard this, she was in tears. She had a feeling that Harvey was truly gone.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was a call from the care home.

Eloise picked up. The caller was a doctor from the hospital, who gently broke the news to her. "Mrs. Horigan, Mr. Horigan has left. He took all his identification and bank cards, along with two sets of clothes."

Eloise felt drained, and her lips were trembling. "Is there anything else?"

The doctor paused and then added, "There's a diary by Mr. Horigan's pillow. Will you be needing it?"

"I do! I'll come get it right away!"

She hung up the phone and unconsciously wiped away her tears. However, fresh ones quickly replaced them. She went downstairs and instructed the driver to get ready.

Downstairs, Parker was waiting. His expression was anxious, but more than that, he looked heartbroken. He looked at Eloise and murmured, "A few days ago, he retook the bar exam. I found out that he took his passport and bought a ticket to the States. He should be on the plane now."

Eloise broke down in silent tears. Even if she knew that this day would come, she couldn't help but cry.

Harvey had completely forgotten her... His memory had reverted to five years ago, before they had met. Harvey was gone, and he was flying to the sky he longed for, returning to his beloved career in law.

But Eloise was still here. Linda was still here. The next time they met, would he treat them as strangers, devoid of love or hatred?

Eloise closed her eyes, letting out a heart-wrenching cry.

Parker wept, and his tears flowed freely. He gently tapped Eloise's shoulder, whispering, "Don't cry too long, Lou. It'll break Harvey's heart! He's fine... he'll definitely return!"

Eloise was still trembling. Despite months of mental preparation, she was devastated when the day finally came.

...noveldrama

Eloise paid a visit to the temple. She wanted to see Master Lee.

The temple was halfway up a hill, but in her devout faith and with a four-month pregnancy, she walked up the path. Once inside the temple, she knelt before an altar and lit a votive candle.

Master Lee did not see her. A young, handsome monk came out instead, speaking on behalf of Master Lee, "He said he told you before that only by waiting patiently can one see the silver lining."

After the young monk's words, he bowed and departed. Eloise watched him leave. She prayed to all the saints in the temple before slowly descending the hill.

Later, Parker gave her daily updates on Harvey's whereabouts. He told her about the different countries he flew to within a week. Eloise would occasionally lapse into a daze as she tracked his movements.

Half a month later, she saw Harvey on the television news. He had won an international lawsuit.

Outside the Supreme Court of California, Harvey was surrounded by a multitude of reporters. Dressed in a classic black and white suit, he slightly lifted his chin during the interview with an air of confidence and success. His lips curled up in a charming, proud smile.

Eloise watched that segment countless times! Tears streamed down her face as she cried and laughed at the same time.