Tangled Temptations

Eloise hung up the phone, just as Harvey leaned against the door frame. His gaze was soft.

Eloise gently shook her phone. "Monika called. She's already in Rossland."

Harvey approached her, bending down to kiss her on the nose. "I just fed little Darrien his milk. The little tyke can put away eight ounces. The doctor says he can start having some pureed foods now."

Eloise wrapped her arms gently around his neck. "How about Linda?"

"She's downstairs having breakfast."

After Harvey finished speaking, he leaned in to kiss her. After a lingering, passionate kiss, he tenderly took her hand. "What kind of wedding do you want?"

Eloise laughed. "We're practically an old married couple. What kind of wedding are you thinking of?"

When Eloise went to freshen up, Harvey sat at the foot of the bed, lighting a cigarette and silently watching it burn down.

He wasn't oblivious. There was still a distance between him and Eloise. Her decision to reconcile with him was largely for Linda and Darrien, which was understandable.

But Harvey wasn't satisfied. He wanted Eloise to love him, to see him as her roc

Eloise came out after freshening up and saw Harvey smoking. She was a little surprised.

Harvey looked at her with his dark eyes, and after a while, he stretched out his hand to her. "Come here."

Eloise went over. He drew her close, his voice low. "Tonight, we're going on a date, Eloise, I want to show you how great a 34-year-old man can be."

Eloise nestled in his arms, gently stroking his handsome face. It seemed the last incident had taken a toll on him.

She agreed. They would go on a date tonight.

Harvey whispered in her ear, "I'm going to make you cry tonight."

Eloise's cheeks turned pink. She broke away from him and left the bedroom.

Downstairs, Linda was eating her cereal and looked up as her parents descended the stairs. Despite coming down separately, something felt different.

Linda hugged her dad's leg. "Dad, are you going to stay here from now on?"

Harvey picked Linda up and kissed her, giving a nod.

Linda clung tightly to his neck.

Eloise watched Linda's joyous expression, her smile soft and tender. She gently picked up Darrien, thinking that this must have been what family meant.

Harvey was good to her and devoted to the family. He had reduced his share in the law firm. He rarely socialized, spent his free time with Eloise and the children, and took his wife and kids on vacations. Linda and Darrien were growing up wonderfully.

Harvey was the perfect husband in the eyes of others.

Half a year later, Eloise returned the management rights of Everest Technologies to him. She preferred a quiet life to her career, mainly because Linda and Darrien needed care. No amount of nannies could replace parents in a child's growth.

This decision surprised many because for nearly two years, Eloise had been running Everest Technologies very well.

Only Veronica guessed the reason. She asked Eloise out to their favorite coffee shop. When Eloise arrived, Veronica had to admit that among all the women in their year, Eloise was the most successful one, wealthy and leisurely, with two children. She held 45% of shares in Everest Technologies, and Darrien was the heir of Horigan Inc. No one was living a richer life than Eloise.

But only Veronica dared to ask, "Eloise, did you reconcile with Harvey for Linda and Darrien?"

Eloise gave a slight smile. "How could that be. We're doing great now."

Yet, as she finished, she stirred her coffee absentmindedly.

That was right...

As time passed, she had grown accustomed to Harvey's company. She had almost forgotten his partial memory loss.

Their relationship always lacked an essential part, but Eloise felt that it did not affect their normal life.

Harvey had mentioned that he wanted another child, but she had refused. She knew he was disappointed, but he didn't say anything.

Their marriage life had become different. They saw each other less frequently than before, either he was busy with work, or she was with the children, and sometimes she would simply sleep with Linda.

Eloise was lost in her thoughts. Veronica gently held her hand, saying softly, "Eloise, do you still love him?"

Love? Of course, she loved him...

Eloise felt a little lost, just as her phone rang. It was Harvey. He must have been on his way home because Eloise could hear the sound of traffic. His voice was as gentle as always. "Dad just called, he's taken Linda and Darrien for the night. Where are you? How about we go to a concert?"

Eloise's voice was soft and gentle. "I'm having coffee with Veronica."

Harvey was silent for a while, then he laughed softly. "It seems you don't have time for me. Mrs. Horigan, I'm feeling a little pitiful."

Veronica quickly mouthed, "I don't mind."

But Eloise felt that they hadn't seen each other for a long time, and stayed

When Eloise returned to the villa, the living room was brightly lit, and a sumptuous dinner was laid out on the dining table. It looked like Harvey's cooking. He was sitting on the couch at the moment, reading a financial report.

He didn't look up when he heard her footsteps. Eloise took off her coat and sat next to him. "Are you upset?"

Harvey put down the report, pulling her onto his lap, and as he kissed her, his hand wandered under her skirt, his voice low and husky. "You're coming home so late. Mrs. Horigan, you're neglecting me."

He had been so busy. Counting the days, it had been over a week since they had made love. Their relationship was good, and normally, when Harvey had needs, Eloise seldom refused him.

His actions became more bold, almost as if he was about to take her on the couch. Eloise stopped him and whispered, "The housekeepers will see us." He nuzzled her gently, his voice husky.

"I gave them the night off. Plus, they're all mature adults, and what does it matter

if they know? It's normal for a couple to occasionally make love on the couch."

Eloise couldn't resist Harvey's relentless pursuit and gave in bit by bit. At 35, Harvey was at the prime of his life, a man who wouldn't be satisfied with having sex just once.

Later, he carried her to their upstairs bedroom, where their sensual moments continued sporadically throughout the night, only ending in the early hours of the morning.

The night was deep and silent. Exhausted, Eloise fell asleep.noveldrama

Harvey should have been worn out, too, but instead, he found himself dealing with insomnia. When he closed his eyes, he saw Eloise as she was in a video from years ago.

It wasn't that he was excessively lustful, demanding a blowjob from his wife, but over time, he could sense that Eloise was holding back her feelings for him. She had easily forgiven him in the past. They had reconciled, not bothering with another wedding ceremony, and lived harmoniously together.

life w

This kind of life wasn't bad, considering he knew that 90% of the married couples out there lived the same way. They would raise their children together, and after a long day of work, they would make love, burning off any excess energy. But the more harmonious their life was, the more Harvey felt a sense of emptiness. He couldn't figure out if Eloise still loved him.

He wasn't the type of man to express his love every day. He would give gifts on her birthday, on Valentine's Day, and on their children's birthdays. He would always tell Eloise that he loved her but she rarely said it back, very rarely.

Harvey wanted to smoke but restrained himself, knowing that Eloise disliked secondhand smoke.

He lay behind her, softly touching her body. After a while, he was aroused again and decided to make love once more.

Eloise didn't wake up.

In the morning, Eloise woke up early. The couch was a mess, covered in both their clothes. She tidied up, not wanting the housekeeper to gossip.

As Harvey descended the stairs, tying his tie, he chuckled at the sight of the clean couch. "The maid wouldn't say anything. You're over 30, Eloise. Why are you still so shy?"

Eloise prepared breakfast for him. Her gentle demeanor made her look so serene.

Harvey pulled her into his arms and kissed her lightly, then lowered his voice and said, "There's a package for you on the table."

He finished his sentence and casually took a sip of his coffee.

Eloise glanced at the package. It had been sent from Rossland. Inside was a

single photograph of Monika.

In the picture, Monika stood next to a bookshelf, eight months pregnant. The background was a small rural school.

On the back of the photo was a letter from Monika to Eloise.

[Mrs. Horigan, thank you for finding this job for me. I love it here. I think I was born to live in a place like this Compared to my past, I feel at ease now. Also, I found my other half. He's a very honest man anda teacher at this school. He's willing to be the father of my child, and we've already gotten our marriage license.

Thank you again, for giving me a chance.

Mrs. Horigan, you might not know this, but when Attorney Horigan agreed to help me, I had some hope in my heart. I thought maybe I could win Attorney Horigan's sympathy with this baby and break up your marriage. But when Attorney Hórigan's assistant told me that you agreed to take me in, and to give me the best medical care... That day, I cried like a child. I felt like a fool.

Goodbye, take care, and I wish you happiness.]

Eloise read the letter several times. She felt a heaviness in her heart that not even Harvey's efforts from last night could lighten. She gently put down the picture.

Harvey guessed what was going on. "Did she send it?"

Eloise nodded. She put the photo back in the envelope and carefully put it away. After a while, she spoke up. "Monika is married."

Harvey was surprised. He had not kept in touch with Monika, so he had no idea. But seeing Eloise's reddened eyes, he decided to tease her. "See, a pretty face is always useful. Look at her, even when she's heavily pregnant, she found a man."

Eloise gave him a stern look. Her mood was still somewhat low. Whenever she thought of Monika, she couldn't help but think of Joan as well. Both of them had left deep marks on her life.

Eloise thought Monika was different from Joan. The main reason she was willing

to let go was because, apart from the time Monika tried to please Harvey and scared Linda, Monika hadn't really harmed Eloise. Eloise murmured, "But I still can't bring myself to like her."

Harvey came over and gently wrapped his arms around her. He didn't bring up

Monika again. He just held her gently and asked in a soft voice, "What about me, Eloise? Do you still like me?"

Eloise gently wrapped her arms around his waist. She sighed softly. "I do."

Harvey stroked her chestnut hair. "Alright, you should stop crying now, sweetheart. Let's have breakfast and then get Linda to school."

On the way to pick up Linda, Eloise suddenly spoke up. "Next week is our school

anniversary. Do you have time?"

Harvey drove with one hand.

He lightly held her hand. "I always have time, Mrs. Horigan."

In this life, Harvey's time belonged to Eloise. He would always wait for her to tell

him she loved him again.

When their golden Bentley slowly pulled into the driveway of the Horigan

Mansion, they immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Harvey shut the car door and walked into the hall. Several uniformed men were

inside, and he asked them, "What's going on?"

Parker sat slumped on the couch, saying in a low voice, "Orlena's been

kidnapped."

Harvey was stunned for a moment. A multitude of scenarios flashed through his mind, and he finally laughed lightly, saying, "Maybe she just had a bit too much to

drink and is off having fun somewhere. After all, what value does she have? Who

would want to kidnap her?"

Pauline cried into her hands.

Parker glared at him. "That's no way to talk about your sister."

The uniformed men couldn't help but laugh and shook hands with Harvey.

"Attorney Horigan, we'll let you know as soon as we have any leads."

Harvey nodded politely. "Thank you."

After they left, he sat down on the couch and looked at Eloise, who had just come

in. He asked her casually, "Eloise, who do you think would kidnap Orlena? Is it for money or for lust?"

He had already guessed who it was, and he was deliberately asking her.