Tangled Temptations

At ten in the morning.

Denise headed to the law firm. Harvey's assistant ushered her into the office, greeting her with a warm smile. "Denise, welcome back!"

But Denise felt an edge of anxiety. She closed the door behind her, taking in the sight of Harvey sitting behind his desk. Harvey didn't even glance up as he was engrossed in his paperwork. He spoke casually, "Eloise sent you?"

Denise didn't deny it, nodding. "Yes! Ms. Laurent thought I was familiar with this case and could help you, Attorney Horigan."

Harvey gave a light chuckle. He closed the file and began engaging in small talk. Finally, he asked casually, "What about Mr. Gerald from Everest Technologies? Is that his name, Gerald?"

Denise was taken aback. "Oh, yes, that's him."

Harvey's voice grew softer. "Is he married?"noveldrama

Denise didn't understand his interest, but she answered honestly, "Mr. Gerald is

35 and quite attractive, but he's never been married. I heard he doesn't even have a girlfriend."

Unmarried, no girlfriend...

Harvey's lips thinned slightly. "Alright, I get it. You can go now."

As Denise reached for the files to leave, Harvey suddenly asked, "When is

Eloise's prenatal checkup and at which hospital? Send me the details..."

Denise couldn't help but chuckle. "Sure! I'll send it to you later."

...

When Harvey reached the hospital, it was nearly eleven.

Eloise had already finished her checkup. She sat alone on a bench, quietly examining the ultrasound results.

Harvey slowly approached. He saw her alone, with no sign of Mr. Gerald. He knew then that Eloise had played a little trick on him. He wasn't annoyed, instead,

he sat next to her, stretching out his body, and asked, "Let's see it."

Eloise handed him the ultrasound. "It's almost been five months now! You decided on the name Darrien."

Harvey looked at the ultrasound. "Is it a boy?"

Eloise nodded, her gaze falling on his face. How she wished he could suddenly remember, and tell her, "Eloise, I'm sorry I'm late."

But that didn't happen...

Harvey, who had lost part of his memories, was only playing the role of a husband. He was here merely doing it out of fear that she might cheat on him.

Sure enough, after seeing the ultrasound, he politely escorted her downstairs, not even bothering to invite her for lunch. They went their separate ways at the entrance of the hospital.

In the following days, Harvey lived as if he were single, always out socializing, and rarely coming home.

Private detectives sent photos to Eloise of Harvey attending one social event after another, surrounded by countless socialites.

A month later, in the president's office at Everest Technologies.

Eloise stood quietly by the floor-to-ceiling window. Her desk was littered with photos.

Gerald walked in, catching sight of the photos. He pretended not to see, suggesting considerately, "Ms. Laurent, why don't I go to Gregory's private dinner alone tonight? You should go home early and rest."

Eloise shook her head lightly. "Gregory has done us a great favor. It's only right we show him some respect."

Gerald didn't insist further, and he left the room.

At nine-thirty in the evening, at the most high-end business club in Peterborough.

After dinner, Eloise prepared to leave. Gerald escorted her out and planned to return for a second round of drinks. They chatted about work as they walked. Suddenly, Eloise's gaze froze.

By the elevator, a private room door was half-open. Inside, the scene was clear.

There were about five or six men, half of whom Eloise recognized, including her husband. The most notable thing was that each man was accompanied by a young woman. Harvey was no exception.

Although he wasn't behaving inappropriately, the girl was coyly leaning against him. And he didn't push her away.

Eloise watched in silence. Perhaps he felt her gaze, because Harvey looked up and met her eyes, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere...

Inside, there was a man named Mr. Hughes, who was familiar to them all, the owner of a six-star hotel.

Mr. Hughes immediately put out his cigarette, quickly standing up. "What a coincidence, Eloise! Don't misunderstand Harvey. We're just discussing business. He's as clean as a whistle. You know that better than anyone!"

He invited Eloise in.

Inside, there were five or six other girls. In such a situation, if Eloise entered, it would seem like she was lowering herself. Gerald also suggested, "Ms. Laurent, why don't you head home?"

Eloise wanted to leave, but she found herself unable to move. She stared hard at Harvey.

The girl at Harvey's side, oblivious to the situation, muttered, "Mrs. Horigan is so interesting. She can't control her husband but still wants to keep up appearances."

Mr. Hughes was worried. He knew Eloise's temper was not to be trifled with.

But Eloise went in anyway. She moved gracefully to the girl's side, her baby bump visible at six months. She smiled faintly. "You're a student at Northernfield Art School, aren't you? Instead of practicing your craft, you're out here accompanying men to drink. Do you believe that if I say a word, you'll have no acting opportunities after graduation?"

The girl didn't believe her. She thought Harvey would protect her. But she waited in vain. Harvey remained aloof, not intervening.

The girl's smile froze.

Eloise felt no joy in her victory because she knew what Harvey used to be like. Such girls would never catch his eye. He was just trying to upset her.

Finally, Harvey moved. He gazed at Gerald's hand on Eloise's shoulder and said, light yet firm, "I'll take you home."

With that, he took Eloise's hand.

Mr. Hughes attempted to lighten the mood, saying purposefully, "See? Harvey and his wife are very loving!"

The girl was embarrassed, but Eloise felt even more embarrassed. She remained silent all the way to the black car. Her face turned to look out the window.

The darkness was thick. The night, like a winged monster, swallowed everything, including their past love.

Harvey picked up a phone call in the car, from his old man, Parker, whose tone was as cold as an Alaskan winter. He spoke to his son fiercely; he must've heard about the shenanigans at the club.

Harvey responded nonchalantly, glancing at Eloise with intense eyes.

Half an hour later, the car pulled into their suburban manor. Harvey stepped out of the car and opened the passenger door for Eloise, gesturing for her to get out.

Eloise lifted her eyes slowly. Her gaze was moist and exhausted. Without hesitation, Harvey scooped her up and carried her into the grand entrance hall of the manor, making his way to the master bedroom on the second floor.

Since she was pregnant, he wasn't brutal, merely pressing her against the foot of the bed and quickly removing her bulky winter coat to reveal a thin red cashmere dress that highlighted her glowing and enticing skin.

Realizing what was happening, Eloise began to resist. "Harvey, what are you trying to do?"

"Sleep with you!"

He tossed a pile of photographs next to her face. Each one was of him, in various places but mostly at the club.

The sharp edges of the photos scratched her delicate skin, but Eloise felt no pain. He knew all along and deliberately stayed away from home, lingering outside. He was resisting their marriage.

"There's plenty more! Mrs. Horigan, you had someone tailing me, taking photos. Isn't this what you wanted? Now that you got it, why are you crying instead of being happy...hmm?"

Harvey began to unbutton his shirt, his slender fingers deliberately moving slowly and showing off his muscular form.

Terrified, Eloise cried out, "Harvey, I'm pregnant!"

"Six months is fine! I heard that it feels different with a pregnant woman! I'm

curious to try it. You can also see if I'm better than before!"

...

His words were vulgar, and in no time, he claimed her.

It hurt! Eloise's small face was trembling, and her fingers clenched the sheets as

she endured wave after wave of his anger.

Harvey gently stroked her eye, his voice deep and husky, "You're moaning like

this under me, and you're still saying you don't want it? Hmm?"

Eloise couldn't utter a word. Hot sweat dripped down, scalding her trembling body. She couldn't stand it anymore and clung to his back.

"Harvey, you bastard!"

"Harvey, let me go!"

"Harvey, don't you know... I miss you so much!"

After their sexual moment, Eloise soaked in the bathtub for a long time, until her body turned a pale pink. She then dressed in a bathrobe, adjusted it, and returned to the master bedroom.

In the master bedroom, Harvey stood by the window, smoking. The room was

filled with a faint scent of tobacco. His clothes were still the same, just a bit

wrinkled.

This reminded Eloise of their recent encounter. She was vulnerable, and he was fully dressed, only his shirt and belt undone.

She felt somewhat embarrassed. This kind of sez was less intimate than their first time. There wasn't much emotion; it was purely him venting his feelings! Eloise silently watched him for a long time, then went to the vanity mirror to carry

out her skincare routine. Over the years, no matter what happened, she never neglected this routine, which kept her skin soft and tender.

The night was cold, the wind blew into the room, and Eloise sneezed. Hearing the sound, Harvey put out his cigarette and closed the window.

He was watching Eloise. She was doing her skincare routine, casually opening her robe to apply lotion. From behind, her slender shoulders and thin legs didn't show any signs of pregnancy. Perhaps because she had just been fucked by a man, her entire body had a light pink hue, very tempting.

In fact, he had had a good experience with her body just now.

She was pregnant, so he restrained himself by only doing it twice.

In Harvey's memory, this was his first time. The sensation was rather good; especially when she was whimpering and saying no, it was particularly enticing. That made a man want to continue tormenting her.

He thought that the quality of their sex would be good. Men were, after all,

sensual beings, and sometimes sex mattered more than feelings.

Harvey never considered himself a saint. Having tasted her once, he wanted to do

it again. But he also knew that to make a woman willingly sleep with him, he needed to make some sacrifices. For example, he never came home, and she was unlikely to be happy with him.

Leaning against the wall, Harvey's voice was low. "Gerald, as I recall, works for

me!"

Eloise paused. After a moment, she gave a faint smile. "Yes, are you planning to transfer him?"

Harvey was quite proud. He could easily transfer Gerald, but that would make it

seem like he cared too much about Eloise. So he just hummed, "If you're used to him, I won't take away what you like!"

Eloise continued applying lotion.

The room was quiet. After a while, Harvey suddenly spoke up, "I'm moving back in

tomorrow!"

Eloise put down the bottles and jars, adjusted her robe, and turned to look at him.

Harvey didn't explain.

The next day, he really moved in. He had a suitcase, containing two average

suits.

In the evening, he went straight into the study.

Eloise opened the suitcase and looked at the sparse belongings, smiling bitterly. He wasn't really moving back in; he just wanted a free, long-term bed partner. Perhaps he had enjoyed their last encounter and was drawn to her body, so he voluntarily came back. But, if a man voluntarily came home, a woman had no reason to kick him out.

Eloise hung up his suits and slowly descended the staircase.

The servants were setting the table. Seeing Eloise, they said cheerfully, "Mr.

Harvey is home, so we added a few dishes and paid for them out of our own pockets. We hope you won't mind!"

Eloise looked at the dishes. There were several expensive ones, which definitely used expensive ingredients costing a few grand.

She smiled faintly, thanked the servants, and planned to repay them later. They were all hardworking people, earning a fixed salary each month.

She asked the servants to go upstairs and call Harvey for dinner. They returned

quickly, looking a bit awkward. "Ma'am, Mr. Harvey said he has a flight at ten tonight and doesn't have time to eat!"

Ah, he was going on a business trip. So that was what the suitcase was for! Eloise smiled casually. "That's okay. You all sit down and eat!"

She still went upstairs, like any dutiful wife, packed up Harvey's suitcase again,

and finally knocked on the study door. "Harvey, are you going on a business trip?"

Harvey sent the last email. He hummed in response. "Yes, it'll probably last three

days!"

He packed up his briefcase, glancing at Eloise's stomach. "You'll be okay, right?" Eloise chuckled softly. "Of course."

Harvey nodded his agreement. With a phone call and a quick grab of his suitcase,

he was off on a business trip.

When he returned three nights later, it was well into the evening. Eloise was already asleep. He slipped quietly into the house, shed his clothes, and took a

shower. Then, he woke Eloise and fucked her twice, both lost in the heat of their passion.

Later, while Harvey slept soundly, Eloise lay awake. Even with her usual obliviousness, she could guess his intentions.

His return home wasn't to play the loving husband. No, it was a legal way to

satisfy his physical needs.

Eloise rolled onto her side, and her hand emerged from under the covers, gently

tracing his handsome features. Her lips parted. "You're such a jerk! I just can't seem to resist you."

Harvey spent less time socializing and more time working. He was good to Linda, and Linda reciprocated the sentiment. But in private, he remained cold towards Eloise, except when it came to their sexual moments. Their marriage had all the necessary elements but lacked the warmth of emotion.

Harvey was content. A man's ultimate goal was power, a wife, and children; he

had it all at once. His wife at home was also to his taste. He had nothing to complain about.

However, Eloise was discontented, having tasted the world's finest love, only to be left with the shell of the man she once knew.

Life went on, bland and unchanging, but she felt powerless to shift it. As time

passed, even those around them started to believe they were a happily married couple.

The five years of memory Harvey lost seemed insignificant now. Only Eloise

tasted the bitter moments of loneliness after every sexual encounter in the middle

of the night.

Yes, her heart was lonely.

She had tried to be kind and gentle towards him, a model wife, but she couldn't

reach Harvey's heart and earn his affection. He treated her as any rich man would his wife, a means to a stable life and a legitimate heir!

Eight months into her pregnancy, Harvey stopped touching her. His social obligations increased. Eloise never complained.

On the first snowfall of winter, she gave birth to the Horigan family's eldest grandson, Darrien.

A full-term baby, weighing seven pounds.

Parker was overjoyed, while Orlena teased him about favoritism. "I love Linda and

Daniel equally!" He protested.

Everyone knew he favored Linda most, but the one to carry on the Horigan family name would be Darrien, even if Parker would never admit it.

Orlena rolled her eyes. She took care of Eloise with meticulous care, and even brought the baby over. "Look, Eloise! He looks just like you!" Despite her exhaustion, Eloise leaned in to examine the baby. He did look like her,

with soft chestnut hair. His facial features, especially his delicate nose, resembled

her.

Parker mentioned to Pauline, "Look at those dominant Noland genes. All the kids take after their side of the family."

Just then, Harvey walked in. Even as a father of two, he was still impeccably

handsome.

He bent to kiss Eloise, then looked at his son in the crib. "Thank you," he

murmured.

Eloise watched him intently, then smiled faintly.

As Harvey picked up his son, the Horigan family engaged in playful banter,

discussing who the baby resembled and how cute he was. Eloise turned away. Maybe she was too sentimental.

She had two children, and Harvey had put his wild days behind him. What more could she want?

However, But amidst the lively chatter, she felt an overwhelming loneliness. Within

her heart, she missed the Harvey who loved her, and she wondered... would they

continue to live this polite, respectful life forever?

He would be busy with work, and she would be working and caring for their two

kids.

Forever, and ever...

He had no idea that she was still waiting for him, waiting for him to come back...