Tangled Temptations

An hour later, the car pulled up at the villa where the couple lived. It was empty, as the house staff had been given time off.

Harvey unbuckled his seatbelt, walked around the car to help Eloise out. She refused. So, he simply lifted her off the ground, carrying her bridal style, undeterred by her struggling limbs.

He turned on the lights as they entered, quickly illuminating the spacious villa.

Eloise was tossed onto the large bed. Her soft body bounced lightly on the plush mattress. Before she could make an attempt to escape, he firmly pinned her hands down. She looked absolutely stunning tonight.

Her anger had her chest heaving, making her even more enticing.

Harvey, who already had a high libido, was further provoked by Max. Unable to resist his urges, he held her wrist with one hand to keep her still, while his other hand held her chin, forcing her into a kiss.

His hot, passionate kiss, filled with desire, was overwhelming.

Eloise didn't want this, not at all. She shook her head from side to side, trying to escape his kiss. "Harvey, don't touch me."

Harvey propped himself up, his breath ragged, and his dark eyes intense. "We're married. Why can't I touch you?"

Eloise struggled for a while, then gave up. She sank into the soft mattress, murmuring, "Because I'm disgusted by you."

Harvey was taken aback. He stared at Eloise lying beneath him, surprised at her words. Did she say she found him disgusting?

Wasn't she... in love with him?

Eloise's lips trembled, and her nose was red, but she bravely held back her tears. "Harvey, if you had even the slightest bit of love for me, you would know how deeply Joan hurt me and Linda. Linda almost lost her life."

"You're now taking care of her sister. You left your family on New Year's to spend days in the mountains.

"Harvey... you're really charming. The young lady was willing to give up her life for you."

Harvey let go of her. Slowly, oh so slowly, he moved back, sitting on her legs. He even felt like lighting up a cigarette.

He stared at her for a long time before asking, "What about you? She was willing to give up her life for me. Eloise, what am I to you?"

Eloise lay on the bed, her mind filled with one thought. To hurt him!

She gave a faint smile, and then her red lips slightly parted. "You always wanted

to know, what's the difference between you and 'him' in my heart?"

"I'll tell you, you're not even half as good as that Harvey.

"You don't even deserve that apartment; you don't deserve anything that holds our shared memories.

"Harvey, the truth is, I hate that you're in his body."

...

Harvey froze. He was pissed.

This woman was lying in his bed, saying such infuriating words to him.

He leaned over her, lightly tracing his fingers over her body, from top to bottom, finally landing on her stomach that had carried their two children. He sneered, "You seemed to enjoy our times together, and didn't mind being underneath me, moaning and losing yourself, Eloise... What's with the high and mighty act now?"noveldrama

Eloise's heart pounded in her chest. She sat up, lightly tapped his handsome face, and mocked, "Yes, the experience was great. But I don't want it anymore."

"Really?" His lips were close to hers, his expression dark. "Your body doesn't seem to agree."

He was angry, angry at her words.

Eloise's phone rang. It was Linda, and her voice sounded sweet. "Mom, when are you and Dad coming home?"

Eloise pushed back her hair and turned her back to Harvey. Her voice was gentle but with a hint of sadness. "I will be home soon."

Linda continued, "I want Dad to read me a bedtime story."

Eloise gave a soft hum. She spoke softly, "I miss you, Linda."

Linda's sweet laughter came through. "I miss you too, Mom."

Harvey watched. He thought Eloise was like a magician, one way with him and another with their children. He was still bothered by her words and lost his mood to make love to her. He just laid back on the bed with his shoes still on, smoking quietly.

Eloise whispered, "Let's gather ourselves, then go home."

Harvey knew what she meant. They would cool down here and act normal at

home, so the elders and children wouldn't sense their conflict.

He exhaled smoke rings slowly. "Eloise, aren't you tired?"

"I'm exhausted. But I have no choice. Harvey, if I could, I would choose freedom

too."

She was carrying too many burdens. Besides Harvey, there were too many things she couldn't let go of.

Eloise got up and changed into a woolen dress in the dressing room. When she returned, Harvey mocked, "Afraid of your parents seeing you in that gold dress?"

Eloise flicked her long hair, her tone indifferent. "If you like it, I can wear that every day."

Harvey was about to explode, but Eloise had already turned to leave. "In half an hour, we're going home."

She slowly descended the stairs, turned off the lights, and sat at the grand piano, closing her eyes as she played Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata".

Under the ethereal moonlight, Eloise's face illuminated. Her expression was sorrowful, and a glint of light was shimmering at the corner of her eye.

Were those tears?

Harvey stood on the staircase, silently watching her. He had doubted her tonight and wondered if she still had feelings for Max, but at this moment, he was certain, that the one she loved deeply was that Harvey in the past.

He was jealous; he was uncomfortable. But he couldn't take his eyes off her because Eloise playing the piano was captivating.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the starry sky couldn't compare to her.

...

The silent treatment between Eloise and Harvey persisted. After the New Year,

they were both busy, and nobody made an effort to break the ice.

In February, the weather started to warm up.

At Everest Technologies, in the CEO's office.

Eloise sat quietly working when Natalia brought in a bouquet of flowers, smiling,

"Ms. Laurent, you've received flowers."

Without looking up, Eloise replied, "Throw them in the trash."

Natalia cleared her throat, "We've already disposed of Mr. Velona's flowers. These are from Attorney Horigan."

Eloise looked up. "Let me see."

Natalia set the bouquet on the office desk. Eloise silently looked at the cluster of champagne roses, pulling out a card nestled amongst the blooms. On it, a simple sentence.

Happy Valentine's Day, Mrs. Horigan.

Valentine's Day... So, it was that time of the year again.

Eloise felt a pang of melancholy before she lifted her gaze to speak to Natalia, "Please relay a message for me. We'll be closing up two hours early today. Everyone should go out and enjoy the festivities."

Natalia smiled. "Ms. Laurent, you're too kind. Everyone will be thrilled."

Eloise nodded, signaling her to leave. Once alone, Eloise picked up a newspaper lying nearby. The headline featured Harvey. He had just won a big case in

Rossland.

At the victory party, he was pictured holding a glass of champagne, a light smile playing on his lips, and looking every bit the triumphant hero.

Her phone pinged - a notification from Facebook. It was a message from Harvey. [Eloise, I wish I could share this joy with you.]