Tangled Temptations

When Harvey returned to Peterborough, it was already ten in the morning.

The villa was quiet.

Linda had left for school, and Eloise was holding little Daniel, chatting with Orlena. At this moment, Harvey felt much calmer than before. He watched Eloise holding Daniel for a while before taking the child from her and calmly telling Orlena, "Eloise and I are taking you home now."

A flicker of panic crossed Orlena's face. She looked at Eloise.

Harvey snorted softly, "Scared now, are you? You gave birth to a child alone out there. Weren't you scared then?"

Orlena didn't dare to say a word.

Eloise gently wiped Harvey's face with a tissue, asking softly in a voice full of tenderness, "Did you get into a fight in Brockville? What did you say?"

Harvey knew how considerate she was. He replied calmly, "Yes, I got into a fight. But I didn't mention anything about Daniel. If he cares, he'll find out eventually." He couldn't resist adding a jest, "Isn't he always the one with all the answers?" Eloise glanced at Orlena, who didn't dare to retort. It was heart-wrenching.

When Harvey went upstairs to freshen up, Eloise followed him to their bedroom. She agreed with him, "You did the right thing by not saying anything. If Uncle cares for Orlena, he will find out eventually."

Harvey was half-dressed. He chuckled, "You're playing both sides, aren't you, Eloise? How did I never notice before?"

Eloise chose a new set of clothes for him, her fingers paused, "You don't have to use this to mock me. I don't have to meddle, you know...."

Before she could finish, she was embraced. And then she was pressed against the wardrobe. Harvey held her slim waist, caressing her cheek, "Of course, you have to care. As Orlena's sister-in-law, you're always the sensible one. You help me look after her, okay?"

Eloise leaned on his shoulder, smiling lightly, "Aren't you afraid that I might side with Uncle?"

Harvey took a step forward, whispering into her ear, "When I was fighting with him, who did you worry for?"

He was intentionally teasing her. Eloise was not without feelings; she whispered back against his lips, "Neither."

Harvey chuckled softly. His mood had improved significantly, and he found himself flirting with her. Perhaps the pressure of the past few days had been too much, and he desperately wanted to be close to her. Despite the limited time and inappropriate timing, he still gently slipped his hand under her clothes, bringing her to the climax.

Afterwards, she leaned on his shoulder, catching her breath. Harvey held her tenderly, after a while he said, "You don't have to go later. My dad has a bad temper. He might say some harsh words."

Eloise shook her head. Her eyes were moist as she said softly, "If I go, it will calm his temper."

After she finished, Harvey didn't speak or move for a while. Eloise looked up at him, "What's wrong?"

He touched her delicate earlobe, his voice hoarse, "Eloise, in your heart, am I still your husband? Is there any hope for us to go back to the way things were?"

Eloise's ears turned slightly red. She brushed his hand away, "We should focus on more serious matters."

Harvey took the hint, he gave her earlobe a light squeeze then picked up his clothes and went into the bathroom.

Around noon, Harvey and his family returned to the Horigan estate. The butler rushed in to report, "Miss Orlena is home!"

"What?" Parker stood up excitedly, waving his hand at his wife, "This kid has finally come to her senses after all these years."

Pauline was also filled with excitement. The two of them immediately went out and saw a black Maybach parked in the driveway.

Harvey opened the rear door. Orlena got out of the car, leading a little boy of about two or three years old!

Parker's eyes widened. Pauline was also taken aback. The house staff didn't dare to make a sound. After a while, Parker finally found his voice, "Orlena, is this child yours?"

Orlena didn't dare to lift her head. She murmured an affirmative.

Parker was extremely upset, wanting to give her a piece of his mind, but Pauline stopped him with tears in her eyes, "She's finally home, hold your temper! And remember there are people around. Let's not embarrass Orlena and the child!"

Parker shot his wife a fierce look.

Once they sat down in the living room, Harvey handed Daniel to Parker. Parker was still fuming. He glared at his son, "You think I'll let this go just because of the child?"

Parker suddenly stared at Daniel. Then he looked at Eloise. Those similar eyes, rosy skin, and short brown hair were like they were from the same mold!

Parker's anger deflated. He looked rather deflated. He sighed gently, "Bad romance!"

Pauline also noticed, her beautiful face filled with worry. What were they to do now?

Parker gently stroked the little boy's face. Daniel was indeed very cute, and he couldn't help but feel affection for him. He said to his son, "Harvey, you handle this!"

His heart was heavy. He looked at his beloved daughter, at her simple clothes, and felt a pang of heartache. After a while, he said softly, "You can stay here. You can't always live with your brother and sister-in-law; they need their private life. Your mother and I will take care of the child."

There wasn't a word of blame, but he was still heartbroken. After saying this, he went to his study alone.

Pauline started crying, "Both of you, always making me worry!"

Orlena bit her lip, whispering, "Mom, I'm sorry."

Eloise gave Harvey a look, who went upstairs. He pushed open the door of the study, the room was filled with smoky haze and the choking smell of cigarettes. Harvey opened the window, snuffed out Parker's cigarette, and said, "You hardly smoke these days, saying it was for Linda's health. But why today? Are you so happy that Orlena's back that you're acting silly?"

Parker looked up at his accomplished son and scoffed, "Happy? Is this me being happy? Every time it's a shocking event with her. First with Max, then with this Brett! Even bringing a child into it!"

Harvey made him a cup of tea. He poured a cup and set it before him, whispering, "I went to Brockville last night, and had a fight with Brett. He doesn't know about Orlena's baby."

Parker rubbed his eyes, sighing softly, "He doesn't care about Orlena, does he?"

Harvey took a sip of his tea before replying, "It's not that he doesn't care. If he really didn't have any feelings for her, he wouldn't have maintained a relationship with her for half a year. I think Brett just doesn't feel it's right. You know Orlena better than anyone, don't you?"

And so, he didn't mention the existence of little Daniel. The Horigan family could definitely afford to raise a child.

Parker remained silent, still processing the shock. He was unable to comprehend how his precious daughter got involved with someone as wild as Brett, especially considering their families were connected by marriage. After a while, Parker finally spoke, "Don't make things difficult for Eloise. She's stuck in the middle. Don't let this affect your relationship with her."

Harvey nodded, "I won't."

He chuckled, "Eloise may not say it, but I can tell she'd like to see Orlena and Brett together."

Parker wiped his face, "She's just kind-hearted. Women always hope for a happy ending."

With that, they went downstairs.

Parker, wearing a different expression, held Daniel with affection. The little boy's face resembled Linda's and Eloise's.

"Harvey is heading to the office. Eloise, you can stay with Orlena and take her to the department store. Get her and Daniel some stuff. Their current state is just not acceptable." Parker addressed Eloise while cuddling the child. He then affectionately kissed Daniel.

Eloise nodded, "Don't worry. I will."

Harvey chuckled and pinched her cheek, "You're really stepping into the role of a Horigan daughter-in-law."

Eloise swatted his hand away.

Without any annoyance, Harvey turned to his sister, "If you dare to run again, I'll break your legs."

Tears welled up in Orlena's eyes. Daniel, a bit scared, clung to Parker. Parker, feeling sorry for his grandson, scolded Harvey, "Why are you scaring her? Look, you've frightened Daniel!"

Harvey smirked and gave Eloise a glance before driving off.

...noveldrama

After lunch at the Horigan's, Eloise took Orlena out.

Orlena had become somewhat reserved over the past two years. Eloise was considerate and took her to some lesser-known boutique stores, not too expensive, but certainly a cut above what Orlena was used to.

By midday, they had bought a lot for Orlena and Daniel.

While enjoying coffee, Eloise pulled out a black gold card from her purse and handed it to Orlena, "This is from your brother. It's his supplementary card."

Orlena was hesitant to accept.

Eloise closed her hands around the card and whispered, "He might seem harsh,

but he cares about you a lot! Feel free to stay with us or at home. Linda also likes Daniel."

Orlena simply nodded.

Eloise then held a diamond necklace, a design by a famous Japanese designer, adorned with a rare deep-sea pearl. She gently put it around Orlena's neck and said softly, "Orlena, I'm so glad you're back."

Orlena touched the precious pearl, tears welling up in her eyes. She understood Eloise's meaning. She was encouraging her to be herself again, not to tread lightly and treat herself as an outsider.

She began to cry, right there in the bustling coffee shop, while Eloise held her in a comforting embrace.