Tangled Temptations

In the dead of night, two figures ascended the wooden staircase. Harvey gently nudged the door to their master bedroom and shut it behind them, pulling Eloise into the warmth of his embrace. Her face, soft and delicate, brushed lightly against his shoulder, and her cheek was rubbing against the fabric of his cotton shirt, catching the faint scent of tobacco that always seemed to linger on him.

She knew what he wanted. And she had to admit, she missed this scent, this intimacy. But the timing wasn't right, and her heart wasn't ready. So she whispered, her voice barely audible, "What is it you want to say?"

Harvey looked down at her. The soft glow of the bedroom lamp was illuminating her features. "Monika is just a young girl, Eloise. There's no way I could have feelings for her. Please, don't be mad... Alright?"

Eloise, still nestled in his arms, murmured softly, "She cares about you, you know." She didn't want to make a scene. All she wanted was for him to make a decision, a decision she could be content with.

After a moment of silence, Harvey gently caressed her face. "Monika doesn't mean anything to me, Eloise. You know where my heart is. Let's move back to our old house after the New Year. It was good back then, wasn't it?"

His words were laced with affection and pleading, but Eloise couldn't help feeling disappointed. She felt a chill creeping up her spine, despite the warmth of their room. "Harvey," her voice was filled with fatigue, "you still don't understand."

She stood up, walking towards the door. As she reached for the doorknob, her voice sounded distant, "I'll sleep with the kids. Good night."

"Wait, Eloise!" Harvey called after her, but it was too late. She had already disappeared down the hallway.

Harvey sat in silence for a moment before making his way to the living room couch. He had plenty of work to attend to, but he couldn't focus, his mind filled with thoughts of Eloise.

He thought perhaps this was just his manly instinct. Once you'd tasted sweetness, it was hard to give it up. He had initially resisted their marriage, but after their relationship had evolved, he found himself enjoying this family life. He thought that having a wife and kids wasn't so bad.

He couldn't quite comprehend Eloise's feelings. He had no interest in Monika. It was just a simple act of kindness, nothing more. Perhaps, he felt a bit of sympathy for her, but that was all it was.

Eventually, he decided to tackle his paperwork, spending a couple of hours on it before heading to bed. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a little figure crawling into his bed. Linda, their daughter, snuggled into his arms, her icy feet sending a chill through his body.

"Daddy, warm my feet," she mumbled.

Harvey lay there, his gaze falling on Linda's curly brown hair and chubby cheeks. She was so much like Eloise, but Linda was even more adorable, a hundred times more.

In the morning, Eloise returned to the master bedroom to change her clothes. The sight of Linda, nestled against Harvey, sleeping peacefully, reminded her of the old times.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, her gaze lingering on Harvey, who was still asleep. At this moment, there were no arguments, no worries about his amnesia, nor any doubts about his feelings for her.

She felt a pang of nostalgia, whispering, "Harvey."

He woke up to the sight of Eloise's gentle gaze. She seemed startled and tried to

pull away, but Harvey was quick to catch her hand, pulling her towards him. "Eloise, it's been a long time since you've called me Harvey like that," he murmured.

Eloise struggled slightly. "We'll wake the kid."

Harvey's gaze was fixed on her. After a moment, he moved Linda to the side, then quickly flipped Eloise beneath him, pressing his lips against hers.noveldrama

"Harvey, have you lost your mind?" she protested.

He paused for a moment, his dark eyes filled with desire. "You're my wife, Eloise. What's wrong with us having sex? If you don't want to be with me, then who? I don't believe you don't have needs.

"I wanted to take things slow, but you're not giving me the chance.

"Well, let's get straight to it then. We've been married for years, this shouldn't be unfamiliar to you."

Harvey was insufferable, and Eloise kicked at him in frustration. How could he do this, with Linda right there in the room?

Eloise struggled, suppressing her fragmented voice, "Let go. I don't want to do this with you!"

Harvey didn't hesitate. His slender fingers began to unlock her defenses, as he looked down at her vulnerable figure, "But I want to! I've wanted you for many nights now."

Since the baby's full month, she had cold-shouldered him until now.

And now, he just wanted to taste her...

Just as she was about to wake Linda, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the housemaid's voice. "Sir, a young lady is here to deliver a New Year's gift. Would you like to see her?"

Harvey stiffened and looked down at Eloise. With his voice hoarse, he said, "Tell her to wait a moment."

In the past, the clients of the firm would visit around the New Year. Harvey would never reject any potential clients. He carefully slid off Eloise and reached for his robe, before turning to Eloise to say, "We'll continue this later. Why don't you wait for me in the guest room, alright?"

Eloise didn't reply. She got off the bed and walked into the walk-in closet.

Harvey watched her leave, a small smile playing on his lips. He freshened up and changed into a fresh set of clothes before heading downstairs. As he walked into the living room, his eyes fell on Monika.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his tone cold. "You no longer intern at the firm."

Monika looked up at the sound of his voice. She saw Harvey descending from the upstairs, a tall and lean figure. His striking features were accentuated by his casual home attire.

A black turtleneck sweater, gray woolen trousers. He's a sight for sore eyes!

She took in the manor around her, filled with housekeepers and everything she had ever yearned for since childhood. Yet, all of this belonged to Eloise!

Monika quickly picked up the fruit basket beside her, saying awkwardly, "Attorney Horigan, I heard that you recommended me for my job and for the financial support... I'm very grateful to you!"

She held out the fruit basket to him, her arm stretched out straight and long. Harvey did not accept it.

He was a bit upset. He should've been enjoying his time with Eloise but was interrupted by Monika.

Her gaze, her actions... Harvey was not blind to it.

He sat across from her, had a servant bring him a cup of black coffee, and then lightly said, "I think I need to clarify something. You don't have to thank me, and you don't need to bring gifts! Don't come here again, and don't bother my wife! She's not too pleased!"

Monika gasped, "Did she tell you?"

Harvey took a sip of his coffee, nonchalantly asked, "Tell me what?" Monika felt embarrassed. Her affection was known to Harvey, but he did not care. His sympathy for her was merely for the sake of her looks.

She wanted to further express her feelings, but Harvey was already growing impatient. She bit her lip lightly, and her voice was trembling a bit. "I didn't mean anything, Attorney Horigan. I'll leave now... I won't bother you or your wife again!" After saying that, she got up and left, covering her lips as if she had been crying.

Eloise stood on the second floor, witnessing all of this. She silently watched Monika make her way into the manor, just like Joan had done years ago.

The difference was that Monika was clever. She wasn't as willful as Joan. She knew her limits, and she knew her strengths.

What a clever little girl!

Harvey noticed Eloise, too. He got up and went upstairs, gently wrapping his arms around her slim waist from behind, attempting to kiss her.

Eloise pushed him away. "I'm not in the mood!"

Harvey grabbed her hand. "Eloise! There's nothing going on between Monika and me. You should know that. Don't let such a small matter ruin our relationship." "Do we have a relationship? She was able to find me yesterday, then make her way into our home today. What's next? Will she invite you to her apartment for a sleepover? Don't overestimate her moral standards!

"Harvey, I've told you, if you don't make a stand, then... let's just leave it at that!"

...

As Eloise turned around, she realized it was not that she didn't want to deal with Monika.

Eloise wanted to get rid of Monika once and for all!

A while later, Eloise came downstairs in a fresh set of clothes, ready to go out. Harvey was in the dining room, reading the newspaper. He saw her putting on her shoes and asked, "Where are you going so early? Isn't the company on

vacation?"

Eloise answered nonchalantly, "Postnatal check-up. Of course, you wouldn't remember!"

She felt wronged after saying that. The only interest Harvey showed in her nowadays was purely physical.

Harvey was taken aback. Then he remembered seeing Eloise's medical report on

his desk, which Denise had left for him. He hadn't paid much attention to it. He thought, Eloise must've been missing that "Harvey" now.

Without thinking, he said, "I'll go with you!"

Eloise didn't object. Despite their quarrels, she wouldn't reject the offer because she was his wife.

Once they were in the car, Eloise leaned back on the seat, silent.

Harvey wanted to ease the tension. This morning, even though they hadn't gone

all the way, he felt extremely aroused. Plus, his desire to conquer her made him harbor a dark thought, to make Eloise willingly blow him one day. Of course, if she was willing, he wouldn't mind do it to her as well.

Moreover, he liked Linda and Darrien. This marriage was becoming more and more important to him.

Harvey decided to make the first move. He gently stroked her soft cheek, murmuring, "Still angry? She's just a stranger. How about this, our firm will stop supporting her from now on. As for the part-time job, Eloise, I don't see why I should call specifically to cut off her livelihood, do you agree?”

"Don't see her if she comes again!"

"I've already instructed the butler not to let her in anymore."

...

He was keen on making amends. He even called Denise immediately to cancel

the support he was providing for Monika. From then on, he would have nothing to

do with her.

Eloise's expression softened a bit. All she wanted was for Harvey not to get involved with others, especially when that person was Joan's sister. Harvey noticed her softening, and couldn't help but murmur, "I'll go with you for the check-up, and we'll take note of any precautions together!"

He gently caressed her slim waist, his voice husky. "I heard that a woman's body changes after childbirth, Eloise, but I can't feel any difference. Your skin is even more delicate than a young girl's!"

Eloise shot him a look. "How many young girls have you seen?"