Tangled Temptations

Brett pushed open the bedroom door.

Orlena had tidied up the room and even changed the bed sheets. She was too embarrassed to let the maid wash the soiled sheets, so she hand-washed them in the bathroom herself.

Brett entered, silently observing for a while.

She was never good at housework. She scrubbed for a long time, not only failing to clean them but also managing to get herself all wet in the process.

"I've got it," he murmured.

A blush spread across Orlena's cheeks, and she couldn't even bear to meet his gaze. Seeing him would only remind her of what happened the night before.

Brett took her by the shoulder and led her to one side. Orlena didn't resist, quietly washing her hands.

Although Brett held a high status, he had lived in a rented apartment during his university years and was competent in all household chores. He washed the bed sheets so well. Yet, the sheets were in such a state from the previous night that even he took quite a while to completely clean them. Finally, the soft pink sheets were hung out on the terrace to dry.

After finishing, Brett didn't leave. He leaned against the terrace railing, lighting up a cigarette. His narrow eyes focused on the delicate color of the sheets, which reminded him so much of Orlena.

The previous night was an accident.

He had been planning to go to sleep after a chat with Parker. Daniel, who rarely showed him any closeness, was sleeping on his bed, his breaths warm and inviting. This was his and Orlena's child.

Brett sat at the edge of the bed, quietly watching, feeling that the child was incredibly beautiful.

Downstairs, the sound of high heels echoed. He shouldn't have gone out. At that time, there could only be one person walking around the mansion, and that was Orlena.

But he hadn't seen her in so long, and he couldn't suppress his desire to see her.

She was slightly drunk. When she saw him, her eyes were shimmering. Her eyes and brows were full of womanly charm, but with a touch of innocence that made Brett somewhat unable to resist.

He reached out to steady her, his gaze intense. "Why were you drinking?"

She was drunk, and unlike the usual times when she would avoid him, she just stared straight at him.

Brett was a normal man. He hadn't been with a woman for a long time because of his busy schedule and Orlena. At that moment, he was somewhat aroused. However, he still had enough sense to lead her to her bedroom.

She lay back on the soft bed. Brett poured her a glass of water and placed it on the bedside table. "Drink some water, take off your clothes, and go to sleep."

Orlena's gaze was clear, still straight. After a while, she turned her face to bury it in the blanket, not making a sound. But he knew she was crying.

Brett lightly patted her shoulder, his voice a mix of gentleness and affection. "Didn't you go on a date? Were you hurt?"

She didn't respond, but her slender shoulders started shaking even more violently.

Brett used some force to gently turn her around. As expected, she had been crying.

She wasn't really young anymore. But because she was so much younger than him, and had a childish temperament, she still looked like the young girl from the past.

Brett knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't resist leaning down.

Her lips were soft, moist and slightly parted, as if waiting for him to kiss them. Their hot lips met and entwined, exchanging warmth, and eventually, things quickly spiraled out of control.

Underneath the bed were Brett and Orlena's discarded clothes. Tears slowly fell from Orlena's eyes. She felt somewhat sober, but not entirely awake. Her delicate fingers lightly traced his handsome features. Her voice was hoarse. "Brett, nobody else can hurt me."

From start to finish, it was only him.

She cried like a young girl, her body longing for his closeness after the effects of the alcohol, but there was still a sense of grievance in her heart.

Brett's slender fingers traced her radiant face. He gently cooed, "Don't cry, Orlena. Don't cry."

He was still somewhat hesitant; after all, once he had her, it would be hard for him to quit.

But then she called him by his name, Brett. She rarely called him that. In the past, when she called him Brett, it excited and thrilled him. When she called him Brett this time, he felt like he was holding a mature woman, the woman who bore his children.

Brett gently made love to her.

She cried bitterly, not from pain, but from sadness.

In the deep of the night, he comforted her while losing himself in her. Perhaps later, when she couldn't help but call out his name, he lost all control. Their bodies, untouched for so long, ignited at a single touch, making a mess of their restraint.noveldrama

...

When dawn broke, Orlena opened her eyes. She saw a magnified handsome face, the man she both desired and resisted, was lying in her room.

He had shared a bed with her for the night.

She was somewhat dazed. He woke up, his hand on her waist. "Awake?"

What followed was him being kicked out of her room. He was disheveled, and his belt was not even done up.

Brett leisurely puffed on his cigarette, hearing the footsteps behind him.

Orlena's voice was soft. "Aren't you leaving?"

Brett turned around. He wore a pair of iron-grey trousers and a simple white shirt. Men his age often dressed this way, but few could maintain Brett's physique and demeanor.

Brett's tone was quite gentle. "Did you enjoy last night?"

Her cheeks turned a bit red, but she pretended to be indifferent. "It was alright."

It was alright.

Brett chewed on these words. His dark eyes slightly squinted, as he asked a question that should have been asked the previous night in bed. "In this past year, you've been on many dates. Have you slept with anyone?"

His question was blunt. In reality, she hadn't, but she didn't want to tell him. It felt like admitting she was still waiting for him, so she chose to remain silent.

Brett took a deep drag of his cigarette, his narrow eyes fixated on her. She felt oppressed and wanted to run.

Brett reached out and caught her, pulling her into his embrace. He finished his cigarette and tossed it aside. Lowering his head to her ear, he asked softly, "Was I good?"

Orlena was both embarrassed and angry.

Brett was no better off. The hand on her waist tightened. One hand had already slipped under her shirt.

"Brett! What are you doing? We're on the terrace, people will see."

Brett leisurely teased her, even though he was also sweating. He persisted in caressing her, wanting her to tell the truth. "Tell me, is it true?"

Orlena couldn't help but cry out, "No. There hasn't been anyone else."

After saying that, she felt awful, and her eyes were filled with tears.

Brett gently kissed away her tears, turning her around to bring her to the orgasm

once more.

After they finished, she turned her face away. "Are you satisfied now?"

Brett didn't dare to linger in the sweetness. He had too many things to do, but he couldn't bear to leave her. He leaned close to her ear and said something raunchy, "Last night felt really good."

She pushed him away violently and fled in a panic.

Brett's dark eyes tightened slightly. She was always out there, dating, and attending dinners and movies with others. Of course, he was jealous, but he couldn't stop her. He wasn't sure if she would fall for someone else at any moment. After all, she was young at heart.

Letting her have her freedom was a risk for him. If she really spent the night with someone else, he knew he'd never be able to shake it off.

But she hadn't...

She said she hadn't, and he chose to believe her.

Brett lit another cigarette, the smoke filling his lungs with an indescribable satisfaction. This psychological satisfaction was even more intense than the physical pleasure he'd experienced the night before.

Things had changed between them after they'd had sex. The Horigans could see

it, but nobody said a word.

In the afternoon, after discussing business with Brett, Harvey found Eloise. She was in the room she used to occupy; the furniture was still there even though her belongings were gone.

Eloise was asleep on the sofa. Traces of tears dried on her cheeks, and her diary slid from her hands.

Harvey picked it up. He covered her with a blanket, gently wiped away her tears, and whispered, "Why are you longing for someone who's not here when I'm right here?"

He hadn't held her in a long time. He missed her warmth and lay down next to her, gently pulling her into his arms.

Eloise didn't wake up. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time. When she opened her eyes, it was already dusk.

Getting up, she saw the blanket on her, and Harvey standing in the doorway, watching her quietly. He was the one who'd covered her with the blanket, wasn't

he?

Eloise thanked him in a hoarse whisper. She didn't want to be alone with him and tried to leave.

"Uncle Brett's gone back to Brockville," Harvey said in a soft voice.

As dusk was falling, Linda and Daniel were enjoying each other's company, and Darrien was well taken care of.

Eloise was in his house, and for a moment, Harvey felt as if they were still a couple.

Eloise didn't want to give him that impression, so she was rather cold to him, and ignored all his attempts at emotional conversation aside from matters related to their children.

Parker had asked her to stay for dinner. Eloise couldn't refuse, but she made her excuses and left after eating.

Parker glared at his son. "Harvey, escort them home."

Harvey immediately stood up and grabbed his car keys. When Eloise picked up

Darrien, he took the child from her and said softly, "You take Linda. He's pretty heavy."

Eloise didn't refuse. Whether by accident or design, he brushed against her soft body and couldn't help but look at her. Eloise didn't respond and carefully handed their son over to him.

Once they were in the car, Harvey handed Darrien back to her. Looking into the rearview mirror, he said in a low voice, "Buckle up."

Eloise couldn't do it while holding the baby, so he leaned over to help. The atmosphere was good and Linda chirped happily, "Next week, our kindergarten is having an open day. All the mommies and daddies have to come." Although she was young, she knew about the divorce, but she also felt that Daddy still liked Mommy, and Mommy was gentle with Daddy. Their divorce hadn't affected Linda too much.

After Linda finished speaking, Harvey smiled faintly. "I'll go with Mommy." As he said this, he glanced at Eloise, not feeling so confident.

Eloise just looked down without contradicting him.

Harvey had a faint hope that they might reconcile. Eloise was just having a

temper tantrum. Now that he had no ties with Monika and was free from other scandals, she should be over her anger.

They both attended the kindergarten event together and even won first prize.

Linda was ecstatic, holding Harvey's hand with her left and Eloise's with her right. On the way back, Linda was picked up by Parker. Standing by the car, Harvey couldn't help but suggest, "Shall we eat out?" He wanted to propose they get back together. Eloise replied coolly, "I'm attending a private dinner with the Miles family tonight.

Besides... Harvey, don't waste your time on me. You should have your own private life."

Harvey's eyes were deep. "You are my private life."

Eloise didn't want to argue with him. She got into the black SUV, and Baron drove

away.

Harvey pulled out a box from his pocket. Inside was a diamond ring. It was specially made for her, bigger and more dazzling than the one she had. He wouldn't give up just because she rejected him. He would pick her up after dinner. By that time, it would be late at night. Women's hearts were always softer at night.