Tangled Temptations

Eloise had watched it countless times.

Linda's little head full of brown curly hair was motionless. It's Dad! Dad looked so handsome when he smiled! Linda suddenly buried herself in Eloise's arms, and her voice was soft and delicate. "Mum, is Dad coming home?"

Eloise hummed in agreement. She gently stroked Linda's head, speaking gently, "But Dad is sick. We need to give him some time, okay?"

Linda understood a bit. Even though her mum hadn't said it, she knew that after her dad had been admitted to the hospital, they rarely saw him. Sometimes, when he was reading her a story, he would get lost in his thoughts. So he was sick!

Linda ran back to her room, and soon returned with a box. Inside was a plastic stethoscope. Linda's brown curls were bouncing. She said softly, "I can cure Dad!"

Eloise embraced her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Her eyes were moist. Linda was the most wonderful gift Harvey had left Eloise.

In deep autumn.

Peterborough bustled with life as the leaves of the plane trees began to fall, and the maple trees turned a fiery red, like flaming clouds in the sky.

The airport was buzzing with activity. Countless journalists were squatting. Their cameras were trained on the entrance.

Today was the day of Harvey's return. After a three-year absence, the legal world's King was making a comeback, and who wouldn't want to capture the first photos?

Eloise was there too. She didn't bring Linda, but came alone, accompanied by the Horigan family's old chauffeur, Baron.

Time ticked away, and Eloise's palms were sweaty- "Harvey...what will it be like when we meet again? Do you still remember me?"

A commotion arose, and the journalists suddenly all ran in one direction. The flashbulbs went off!

Harvey was out. Surrounded by his bodyguards, he came out of the security checkpoint. Despite the numerous cameras pointed at him, he handled them with ease, casually answering a few questions before leaving.

The bodyguards held the journalists at bay. Eloise stood at the exit, and he brushed past her. Her limbs felt cold, as if all her strength had been drained. Did Harvey really not remember her?

At that moment, Harvey paused, and his gaze fell on Eloise's face. His gaze was unfamiliar and cold.

Eloise couldn't help but call out to him, "Harvey!"

Harvey's lips tightened, and he threw out a line. "We'll talk in the car!"

Eloise was taken aback. Baron nudged her, saying excitedly, "Mr. Harvey wants to talk to you!" He helped Eloise to the parking lot.

Harvey was already in the car. The window of the black limousine was rolled down, and he took off his jacket. His well-tailored white shirt showed off his upper body very well. At that moment, he was deep in thought, resting his elbow on the armrest. On his lap was a file, of the memories he had lost in the past five years. He married this woman called Eloise. They had a child named Linda, he had broken up with her several times, and then there was Joan's death.

These were not hard to find. But for Harvey, who had lost his memory of the past five years, Eloise was a stranger. He simply could not imagine that he would fall so deeply in love with a woman. Five years ago, he was a firm believer in bachelorhood.

Eloise quietly got in the car. She stared at the file on his lap, thinking that he must have been curious about his memory of the past five years before he returned to the country and must have looked it up, but she was not optimistic because his gaze at her had no warmth at all.

Harvey looked at Eloise. She was quite pretty. Her small face was delicate. Her figure was also quite good; although she was pregnant, her limbs were slender. His gaze fell on her bulging belly. It must've been his kid inside her.

Harvey moved his gaze away, instructing the driver in a calm voice, "To the apartment!"

From beginning to end, he was assertive. Eloise had no chance to refuse. She endured the pain of longing, as she sat quietly by his side. They were not sitting close, but she could still feel his body heat. Eloise's eyes reddened, and she turned to look out of the window.

Approximately an hour later, the car stopped at the foot of the apartment building. The driver unloaded the luggage and left immediately.

Harvey picked up his luggage, glanced at Eloise, and led the way into the elevator. From beginning to end, he was very indifferent. Eloise's heart was in pain, but she told herself that this was normal. He didn't love her now!

When they walked into the apartment, Eloise couldn't help but ask when she saw the decoration style, "Have you been here before?" Here, the black and white color scheme was restored. It was tasteful, but as cold as a model room.

Harvey put down his luggage, changed his shoes, and gestured for Eloise to sit down. Perhaps because she was pregnant, he poured her a glass of water, while he poured himself a glass of red wine. He leaned against the bar, sipping.

Eloise knew he was thinking about how to deal with her. Deal with this unexpected guest in his life.

Harvey drank half a glass of red wine, put down the glass, and his dark eyes contemplated. "These past five years... although I've done my investigations, I still want to hear your version."

Eloise met his gaze. His dark eyes were clear, exuding a strong sexual tension, different from the Harvey before, who was always gentle with her later.

For some reason, her face reddened slightly. Harvey caught it. He sat down next to her, lightly teasing her delicate face, with a hint of flirtatiousness. "Tell me!"

Eloise couldn't resist. Her face was serene, as she recounted the events of the past five years. After listening, Harvey chuckled lightly. "How touching! Ms. Laurent... it's a pity you're not in telemarketing!"

Eloise was taken aback.

Harvey slowly stroked her face, and his voice was low and husky. "You... love me very much?" Before she could react, she was pressed down onto the sofa. She lay there, in an awkward position. But she looked up at him, admired his handsome face, and felt a strong desire.

Eloise couldn't help reaching out to touch his handsome face, and gently traced from his brows to his nose. Her voice caught in her throat. "Yes... very much!"

Harvey caught her hand, stopping her from touching him. Then, her loose dress was opened, revealing her swollen belly.

Harvey's slender finger traced lightly over it, with a hint of teasing. Eloise hadn't experienced this for a long time. The man in front of her was the one she deeply loved; she could not be unaffected.

Her face turned red, as she looked up at him expectantly. Her body trembled lightly.

"Do you want it?"

He whispered into her ear with a raspy voice. "I hear women your age have rather... big appetites."

Eloise felt a mix of embarrassment and anger. She could handle him being distant, but he was not only distant, he was also downright nasty.

Harvey released her, and was casually straightening his shirt as he nonchalantly asked, "Ms. Laurent, are you looking for a husband or a man to satisfy you? Think it over, then we can proceed with our conversation."

With trembling hands, Eloise gathered her dress and quietly asked, "Are you suggesting a divorce?"

Harvey fixed his gaze on the blush on her face. He couldn't resist gently caressing it with his fingers, though his words were far from gentle. "Not at all. After all, we still have two children to raise."

Harvey studied Eloise. She was indeed beautiful, even more so with the glow of pregnancy, but he had no interest in a life with a woman. He rose and entered his study, and then reappeared with a document. The document was gently placed into Eloise's hands.

Harvey sat on the opposite couch. His demeanor shifted from carefree to reserved and dignified. Looking into Eloise's eyes, he spoke in a business-like tone, "Ms. Laurent, I am willing to co-parent our two children. The prerequisite is that you sign this separation agreement. Once signed, I will provide the agreed-upon alimony and visit the children once a week."

Eloise felt awkward. What was the difference between this and a divorce? She moved her lips, but ultimately said nothing. She knew that begging him now would only make him despise her more. Perhaps she should've counted herself lucky. At least he hadn't denied their existence.

But still, she felt heartbroken. The man she loved was right in front of her, yet she didn't dare to embrace him for fear of his disgust. She couldn't understand what he was thinking about her or their daughter, or Joan.noveldrama

There's a saying, you can never compete with a dead person.

Eloise scanned the separation agreement Harvey had prepared. He would pay 2 million in child support each month, spend one night a week with her and the children, and they would have no contact otherwise. Of course, they would have to put on a united front for important events. He also insisted on her fidelity during their separation.

Harvey stood, announcing in a calm voice, "Take your time, there's no rush." He had business to attend to at his firm, so he entered the walk-in closet in their master bedroom to change.

Just as he was unbuttoning his shirt, Eloise followed him in. She was direct. "Harvey, I won't agree to a separation."

Harvey's brow furrowed slightly. He paused, belt in hand, as she continued to stand there. Her face was flushed, and her nose was red as though she had been crying. She looked so vulnerable.

He slowly advanced towards her. He looked down at her, and his voice was husky. "You really want to watch a man change, Mrs. Horigan? I think it's been a while since I've relieved some tension, care to join me?"

Of course, Eloise refused. He had no feelings for her anymore and was just treating her like a plaything.

Harvey was already kissing her. His memory was lacking any previous experience. He pressed her against the closet door, gripped her delicate chin, and forced her to follow the rhythm of his passionate kiss.

In the mirror, their entangled figures were reflected. Her face was streaked with

tears.

Harvey released her, and a cold smile was plastered on his face. "What a killjoy."

His fingers toyed with the tip of her tongue. His voice was low. "Don't ask for too much. Isn't it enough that we are taking what we need from each other?" Although he resisted the idea of marriage, his marriage to her was a fact. As a lawyer, he needed to maintain his reputation. He couldn't afford a divorce, as it would make him a laughingstock. So, the best solution was to maintain their marriage. If she was willing, they could occasionally satisfy each other's needs. The once-weekly overnight visit to her place in the separation agreement was to fulfill his own physical desires more than anything else. Harvey thought, if she were smart, she would sign the agreement.