Tangled Temptations

Next to the coffee shop, there was a smoothie shop.

A long line stretched out the door and Orlena was in the middle, holding the hand of a toddler. The little boy was fidgeting, clearly not happy about the wait. Orlena picked him up.

Eloise watched in silence. Her eyes welled up with emotion, her heart filled with

sorrow.

Orlena, once a pampered girl who probably didn't know what it was like to wait in line for smoothie, was now standing under the blazing sun with a toddler. She was no longer dressed in expensive clothes, just a simple white shirt and faded jeans.

She had lost a lot of weight and there was no longer any sign of the pampered girl she once was.

Eloise closed her eyes briefly. Following her gaze, Veronica spotted Orlena too, "Isn't that Orlena? How does she have a child?"

Given Veronica's personality, she would typically rush over immediately.

Eloise held her back, "Don't!" She had been through this. She understood Orlena's feelings. The child was not her burden. She loved him. She feared of her parents' disappointment and their possible insistence on her giving up the child.

Eloise spoke softly to Veronica, "Don't make a scene!"

Just then, Linda was calling for her mother, and the driver brought her over. When the little girl saw Eloise crying, she cuddled into her mother's arms, wiping her tears and coaxing, "Mommy, don't cry!"

Veronica watched them enviously, "Daughters are so sweet!"

Eloise whispered back, "Stay here for a bit, I'll go check on Orlena. And don't tell Riley about this yet. I don't want to scare Orlena and have her run off again." Veronica understood the gravity of the situation and nodded, "You go talk to her."

Eloise left with Linda in tow.

Just as Orlena was getting her smoothie and preparing to leave with her son, Eloise called out softly from behind, "Orlena!"

Orlena froze. She turned slowly to see Eloise and Linda. Her lips trembled. After two years, she was seeing Eloise and Linda again. But seeing them reminded her of him. It took her a moment to softly greet, "Eloise!"

Her voice was always filled with pain and sorrow. She longed to bury herself in Eloise's arms and whine like she used to, but she was no longer the Orlena before.

Eloise felt a tight knot in her chest. She stepped forward, gently patting the little boy's head, and introduced him to Linda, "This is your auntie."

Linda chirped happily, "Auntie!"

Orlena felt a lump in her throat. She watched Linda and was transported back to that fateful night three years ago. "She's grown so much!" She kissed Linda and introduced her son to Eloise, "This is my son, Daniel."

Eloise handed Linda to her and took Daniel in her arms. He had soft, chubby face, and deep brown hair. She didn't need to ask. She knew who his father was.

Linda commented, "His hair is the same color as mine!"

The air was thick with unspoken words.

Linda looked up at Eloise, her voice soft, "Mommy, you can hold him. I won't be jealous, I promise."

Eloise smiled softly and told her, "You go with Auntie."

Orlena felt awkward. Eloise didn't let her off the hook, though, "Let's go to your place."

...

After about a 15 minute walk, they arrived at a small alley. Orlena's rented apartment was tiny, with just one bedroom. It was cluttered with magazines and clothes. There was nothing of value in sight.

Eloise felt symphathy towards her.

Orlena poured her a glass of water. The smoothie was shared between Daniel and Linda. Orlena couldn't afford to buy more than one.

Eloise held Daniel and asked softly, "You haven't been home for two years. Is it because of your son?"

Orlena nodded. She whispered, "I found out I was pregnant after we broke up. He doesn't know. He can't marry me."

Eloise didn't argue. She just felt sorry for Orlena and the child. The boy was two years old and still didn't have a proper home.

Eloise calmed herself and said, "You should come home with me."

Orlena looked down and after a moment, responded softly, "I can't. What will

happen if I go back? My parents and brother won't just accept Daniel. They'll want justice for me."

Eloise stared at her, "And shouldn't they?"

Orlena was taken aback.

Eloise gently stroked Daniel's hair, "You can't keep living here."

Orlena still refused. She took Linda from Eloise and kissed her cheek, "It's my first time meeting you, Linda. I don't have any gifts for you."

She took off her necklace, the only thing she had from the Horigan family. She wanted to give it to Linda.

Eloise turned away, unable to hold back her tears any longer. Orlena cried too. Daniel, still a baby, was scared by the adults' tears and started crying too. Linda stroked his soft hair and said, "Luca says, boys don't cry."

Daniel stared at her, wide-eyed. Linda kissed his soft cheek and his brown hair.

Eloise couldn't convince Orlena to leave. She promised not to tell Harvey about it, and Orlena finally felt at ease. As she was leaving, Eloise gave Orlena all the money she had in her purse, over a thousand dollars, and promised to come back tomorrow.

Orlena accepted the money. In that moment, both women felt a strange sense of disbelief. Who would have thought that Orlena, once a pampered princess, would be relieved to receive a thousand dollars?

Eloise felt suffocated. As she left the old building, she leaned against a tree and cried.

Linda clung to her, hugging her leg. Eloise crouched down and held her, continuing to cry. Linda patted her head, "Daddy would be heartbroken if he knew!"

Eloise's anger slowly subsided. She, of course, couldn't bear to let Orlena and her child live in such a place, but she also couldn't tell Parker. How devastated would parents be if they found out? She felt that Harvey was the best person to handle this.

Eloise gently patted Linda, whispering, "When your daddy comes home tonight, you tell him how mommy cried and that you saw Auntie Orlena. Understand?"

Linda tilted her little head, deep in thought. After a moment, she asked, "Why doesn't mommy tell daddy directly?"

Eloise was taken aback. Her relationship with Harvey was complicated. How could she just go to him and cry?noveldrama

Linda shook her head, "Adults' world is so complex!"

...

That night, at eight o'clock.

When Harvey came home late from work, Eloise was giving Linda her piano lesson. She was wearing a pale pink dress. Her slender waist and a bit of her leg were visible under the dim light.

Linda played the piano with some proficiency.

Harvey sat down next to Eloise, about to tease her a little. Suddenly, his gaze froze.

Noticing Harvey had returned, Eloise stopped playing and asked gently, "Have you eaten yet?"

Harvey smiled, "You're suddenly so gentle, I'm a little taken aback! Make me some pasta, will you?"

Eloise went to the kitchen.

Harvey took off his coat and threw it aside, picking up Linda and asking, "What's up with mommy?"

Linda remembered her task. She sat on her father's lap, her little face pinched up, "Mommy cried today!"

Harvey furrowed his brows.

Linda then dropped another bomb, "Mommy saw Auntie Orlena, and a cute little boy."

Orlena? A little boy?

Harvey had the urge to kill, but he softly patted Linda's head and gave her a slight smile, "Anytime mommy cries, you need to tell daddy."

Eloise brought in the pasta. She was particularly considerate today, even setting out his fork.

Harvey's eyes were intense. He didn't ask her anything in front of Linda, just quietly finished the bowl of pasta.

When Linda fell asleep, he went into the children's room, sat by the bed, and held Eloise's hand, asking gently, "Linda said you cried today! How could you, a grown woman and a mom, cry? Did I neglect you?"

Eloise sat up, "If you have something to ask, just ask! Why say all these things?" Harvey gave a half-smile, "Wasn't it you who passed a message to me through Linda? I have to comfort you first!"

Eloise looked back. Linda was sleeping soundly. She carefully lifted the blanket and whispered, "Let's talk outside!"

Harvey stopped her. His voice was hoarse, "Don't get up. Let's just talk here! Linda won't wake up."

Eloise thought for a while, "I saw Orlena today!"

Harvey pretended not to understand, humming lightly, "That's good news! Where

is she?"

Eloise observed his expression. She really didn't dare to tell him. After all, the sudden addition of a child to his precious sister would be hard for anyone to take! Eloise wanted to please him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, gently caressing it, "Don't be angry. She has a child with her."

Harvey looked at her hand. He knew her little scheme. Normally, he would be willing to take her to the master bedroom for sex. He believed she would not refuse him tonight. But tonight, he was not in the mood.

Harvey's eyes sparkled, but his tone was casual, "It's a good thing! One went out, and two come back!"

Eloise knew him. Seeing that he was about to leave, she held him back and whispered, "Let's go see her together tomorrow!"

Harvey was furious. She was so soft and submissive, as if she would even offer herself to him for Orlena's sake. This made him both angry and amused. Suddenly, he pulled her under him and kissed her. His kiss was rough, and Eloise felt a bit uncomfortable, but she still let him have his way. Harvey kissed her neck and stopped. He rested his head on her neck, breathing softly, "Go to sleep early. We'll go see her together tomorrow."

Eloise saw his agreement and was relieved. She closed her eyes gently. Her docile appearance made him feel a stir of longing. He couldn't help but delve in for another long, lingering kiss.

Late at night.

Harvey changed his clothes and went out. He drove to a run-down alley and his

heart felt like it was squeezed as he stepped out of the car. His precious sister was living in such a place.

He knocked on the door. After a while, Orlena's voice came from inside, "Who is

it?"

Harvey held a cigarette between his slender fingers, his voice steady, "It's me! Open the door!"

Orlena slowly opened the door. Her face was pale, her voice trembling, "Harvey!"