Tangled Temptations

In the depths of night. In the rundown houses of a narrow alley.

Harvey stared at his sister, Orlena, who had been a constant worry in his heart for many years. He looked at her plain clothes, then at the dilapidated house behind her. His eyes ached and his fingers, clutching a cigarette, trembled slightly. After taking a deep drag, he walked in, looking around, "Where's the kid?"

Orlena was taken aback, "Did Eloise tell you?"

Harvey snapped angrily, "Do you think she would help you hide and let you continue living in this dump? Whose child is it?" So far, he really didn't know who the child's father was.

Orlena wouldn't let him into the room.

Harvey stubbed out his cigarette, exhaling the last puff of smoke, "Who is it?" No matter who it was, within a day, he would make sure the man lost his teeth!

Orlena stood in the doorway, pleading softly, "I'm doing fine with Daniel! Harvey, I can support him myself, don't ask anymore!"

Harvey's eyes reddened slightly. He was just a step away from her. He stretched out his hand, pulled her behind him and entered the bedroom.

The bedroom was shabby. Aside from an old bed, there was only a small desk, covered with dozens of magazines.

Harvey thumbed through the cheap magazines, all featuring Orlena, the belle of the Horigan family.

His throat tightened, and then he turned to the old bed.

A small child, fast asleep, rosy-cheeked, with a mop of brown hair. The familiar features and hair color made Harvey's eyes even redder. He didn't ask again who the child's father was, because there was no need to ask!

Harvey spun around, glaring at his sister. Orlena's lips trembled and her face twisted with fear. She pleaded cautiously, "Harvey, don't look for him! Please. We've split up."

Harvey reached out, gently touching the little one.

He was taken aback for a moment, then softly asked, "Who? Which 'he'? Orlena, who are you talking about?"

Orlena covered her mouth. Her brother already knew, who the child's father was.

Harvey suppressed his voice, "When did you get together with him? Do you know what you're doing? He's more than a decade older than you. A man of his status, unmarried in his 40s and who's met so many people, how could he fall for a young girl like you?"

Orlena was extremely embarrassed. She knew, it was her who had overestimated herself.

Harvey didn't ask any more questions. He took off his jacket, put it on Daniel, then carefully picked him up.

"Harvey!" Orlena grasped his arm, pleading.

In the dim light, Harvey looked as calm as still water, "Either you come back with me now, or I call Brett right now to come pick you and your son up. Choose one!"

Orlena had no choice. She packed a few clothes and followed Harvey out.

When they were going downstairs, Daniel woke up. He looked at Harvey in confusion. He was a bit scared, but he didn't cry. Harvey stroked his head, saying gently, "I'm your uncle! Mommy's here too!"

Daniel saw Orlena standing nearby, and closed his eyes in relief.

Harvey felt a pang of sympathy. When they reached the car, he carefully put the little guy into the child seat, then looked at his sister. Orlena silently got into the car, whispering, "Let's not tell mom and dad for now, okay?"

"You're still afraid?" Harvey snorted coldly and shut the car door, walking around to the driver's side. He was so angry he wanted to smoke, but he held back because of the child. After a long silence, he gently stepped on the gas.

Half an hour later, the car slowly pulled up to the mansion. He hadn't planned on waking up Eloise, but she was already restless. The sound of opening and closing doors woke her up. She draped a robe over herself and got up. Standing on the stairs, she saw Harvey carrying Daniel, with Orlena following behind. Eloise was taken back.

Harvey whispered, "Let Daniel sleep with Linda tonight. You stay with Orlena for a while."

Eloise nodded. She walked back upstairs to open the door for Harvey.

Harvey walked in with Daniel, gently placing the little boy in the bed Eloise had just vacated. Perhaps the bed was too soft, Daniel didn't wake up. Linda stirred a little, opening her eyes to a slit, then rolled over and hugged Daniel, holding him like a teddy bear. Their faces were equally fair, with similar features and chestnut hair.

A soft feeling washed over Harvey. He touched Linda, then Daniel, whispering, "This kid looks like his father!"

Eloise felt guilty.

Harvey turned around, his voice soft, "You probably guessed who the old bastard is, didn't you?" He was quite crude.

Eloise whispered, "Don't let the child hear you. We'll talk about it tomorrow!"

Harvey glared at her fiercely. If it were the old days, Eloise would be scared of him, but now she wasn't. As she walked out of the bedroom, she bravely said, "You shouldn't take it out on me! I didn't do anything!"

Harvey's expression softened somewhat. He squeezed her hand, "Stay with Orlena. I'm going to the study to have a smoke."

Eloise nodded.

In fact, there were still unresolved issues between them. There was still resentment, but when it came to dealing with the family crisis, they instinctively leaned on each other.

What should they do?

Orlena called him brother and her sister-in-law!

Eloise took Orlena to the guest room, whispering, "Your brother's angry, don't mind him! Take a shower first. I'll make you a late-night snack, your favorite fried chicken."

As she was about to leave, Orlena hugged her tightly. Eloise felt a wave of melancholy. She patted Orlena's hand, murmuring, "You should have come back earlier! Your brother is really mad!"

Orlena whispered, "Eloise!"

Eloise helped her sort out her hair, "I'm going to make something to eat. You go take a shower! There's everything you need in there!"

Orlena hummed in agreement.

Eloise went to make a late-night snack, and when it was ready, Orlena came downstairs. She was wearing the pajamas she had brought, made of cotton. They were so washed out that the color was almost gone.

Eloise noticed. She didn't say anything, just said in a trembling voice, "Come and eat! It's all your favorites!"

Orlena sat down to eat. Silence hung in the air, as Orlena sat quietly, unlike her usual chatty self; now she was as silent as a broken printer.

Eloise simply sat with her.

After they finished their meal, Orlena's eyes welled up with tears, "Eloise, I'm scared. He couldn't marry me back then, and now I've almost forgotten about him."

It was hard to forget though. For the past two years, she had been struggling to raise her child alone, scraping by to afford baby formula and rent. The once extravagant life she shared with him now seemed like a distant memory, blown away like smoke by the wind.

Occasionally, she would see him in the newspapers. He was still the same dignified, vibrant Mr. Brett. But she, Orlena, was no longer the youthful and dewy girl she once was. Time had worn away all her edges.

Eloise couldn't make any promises. She said softly, "Your brother will have to settle this. But he won't hurt Daniel." Orlena nodded, tears in her eyes.

After settling Orlena, Eloise went to find Harvey in the study. Pushing open the heavy door of the study, she found it dim inside, only a small wall lamp was lit. Harvey was sitting at his desk smoking, the ashtray in front of him filled with cigarette butts, showing his inner turmoil and anger.

Eloise closed the door and opened the window. She murmured, "You're smoking too much! You're going to choke."

Harvey simply watched her. Tonight was unlike any other night, as Eloise took the initiative to go to him, sat on his lap, and hugged him softly.

Harvey stubbed out his cigarette and leaned against her shoulder. After a long silence, he spoke in a raspy voice, "Eloise, am I a failure? If I hadn't insisted on going to Britain back then, your uncle and Orlena might not have ended up together. Brett's days in the hospital might have been the catalyst for their relationship!"

Eloise asked quietly, "Would you have agreed?"

Harvey pinched her waist lightly, "Why don't you ask my parents? You seem to think I'm easy to talk to, so you're trying to persuade me first, and then have me convince my parents?"

Eloise didn't deny it, she slowly leaned her face towards his. Harvey's face was hot. After a while, he asked softly again, "Are you defending your uncle or pleading for Orlena?"

Eloise shook her head. She hugged his back, her voice soft and gentle, "Neither! I'm doing this for Daniel!"

Harvey didn't speak.

Eloise was too smart; she knew what he was thinking. Indeed, he was angry with both Orlena and that old guy, but the only one he truly cared for was the child. Eloise tactfully played the child card, hitting him where it hurt most. Eloise cradled his handsome face, and lightly kissed him, "No matter what, let's give Daniel the utmost respect, shall we? He's bound to grow up in the Horigan family, go to school, get married, and have children."

She was really good with words, staring into his eyes, "He shares your blood too." Harvey suddenly chuckled. He pulled her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers, "But he really does look like that jerk."

Eloise didn't argue. She softly kissed him, using her feminine gentleness to soften

him.

Harvey hugged her waist, sliding his hands up and down, his voice low, "Eloise, are you trying to solve this problem physically? Even if we make love tonight, it won't change what I have to do once we get off the bed! Besides, I want us to truly reconcile. Intimacy should be a mutual desire, something that happens naturally, not for anyone but because we want each other."

Eloise didn't try to seduce him anymore. She laid her head on his shoulder, feeling the heat of his neck, listening to his fast heartbeat, and murmured, "Harvey, your self-control seems to have improved a lot!"

He looked at her intensively, not agreeing with her. "Eloise, you're my wife, I want

to respect you! I want to make you feel good, and feel that every moment with me

is worth cherishing!" Harvey said.

...

Eloise couldn't stand it anymore. He was supposed to be upset. Where did all this sweet talk come from?

She got off his lap, silently fixing her nightgown. But Harvey pulled her back, passionately kissing her. After a long while, he whispered, "Sleep in the master bedroom tonight."

Eloise didn't refuse, mainly because she knew he wasn't in the mood for anything

tonight.

As she lay on the large bed in the master bedroom, she thought about the difficulties between her and Harvey. Most of them were emotional issues between the two of them. But with Orlena and her uncle, it was more complicated. Eloise thought a lot, and in her half-asleep state, she heard the sound of a car starting downstairs. She froze for a moment, immediately got up and ran upstairs. Harvey's car had already left.

She quickly asked the housekeeper, "Where has the master gone?"

The housekeeper shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

At this point, Orlena also ran downstairs, her face pale. She seemed to havenoveldrama

guessed something.

Eloise said softly, "Don't worry. I'll ask Denise!"

It wasn't right to disturb people late at night, so Eloise was particularly polite.

Denise readily told her, "Mr. Horigan arranged a private jet, he's flying to

Brockville."

Eloise thanked her. She hung up the phone and looked at Orlena, "Your brother has gone to Brockville."

Orlena gripped Eloise's hand tightly, "Eloise, I'm scared."

Eloise was pretty helpless too. Harvey's phone was already off; there was no way

to stop him from going to Brockville now. She hugged Orlena and said softly, "Maybe. They can fight it out!"