Tangled Temptations

The lights were dim.

Harvey's face was shrouded in a shadow. His recent impulsive actions were still fresh in his mind. Had it not been for Eloise's intervention, he might have taken her right then and there...

But what could that achieve? At most, it would be a fleeting moment of physical satisfaction.

It wasn't enough. He wanted more than just that.

Eloise, with trembling fingers, re-buttoned her blouse. Without turning her head, she made her way upstairs, her legs weak, her steps faltering.

Harvey didn't stop her. He didn't go upstairs to check on the child either, his mind in a chaotic state. As he sat in his car, he lit a cigarette.

A few days ago, he had decided to let go, just as Eloise had suggested. Maybe it would be better for both of them to part ways.

However, the sight of a young boy with her had shattered his resolve. It left a bad taste in his mouth.

He couldn't bear the thought of Eloise being pursued by these young boys and possibly getting involved with them.

Sitting in the car, Harvey took a long drag on his cigarette. Smoke filled the car, blurring his face.

After smoking four or five cigarettes, he finally drove away from the villa. The security guard at the gate watched him leave, his expression somewhat unnatural.

Late at night, Harvey returned to the Horigan Mansion. Parker was still awake, clearly waiting for him. Harvey came in and sat down on the sofa, letting out a long sigh.

Parker gave him a disapproving look, saying, "Don't you have your own place? Why do you have to come over and impose on us?"

Harvey closed his eyes slightly. "Isn't Orlena staying at home too?"

Parker scoffed, "Can your sister's situation be compared to yours?" Harvey simply laughed.

His father glanced at him, before speaking reluctantly after a long silence, "Your mother has been crying a lot since you and Eloise divorced. Just how useless can you be!"

Harvey's eyes were slit open. He was lost in thought for a long while before he asked softly, "Dad, do you want us to get back together too?"

Parker cleared his throat. His voice was slow and relaxed. "That's not what I mean. Whether you two get back together or not doesn't really matter. What your mother and I want is for you to move out. Maybe then Eloise will consider moving back in."

They missed having their grandchildren around.

Harvey couldn't help but chuckle. "Dad, there's no way Eloise would move back in."

Parker glared at him. After a while, he got up and walked upstairs, shaking his head as he went. "You'd better forget it all and never come back."

Harvey slumped on the sofa. The lights were too bright, blinding him.

When he was alone, his thoughts inevitably drifted back to earlier. He and Eloise were both mature adults in the prime of their lives. It was uncomfortable for both of them to stop halfway.

He wanted her so much. He couldn't pinpoint what was so special about her. He simply wanted her for himself.

Orlena came down from upstairs, phone in hand. She was going to make a call in the yard. Brett had called, and she didn't want to answer upstairs for fear her parents would hear. She didn't expect to go downstairs and see Harvey.

Orlena hung up the phone. She sat next to Harvey and asked eagerly, "Still thinking about Eloise, bro?"

Harvey reached out, draping an arm around his sister's shoulder. Orlena leaned on him, their heads touching. It had been a long time since they had been this close. She was soft and tender, just like when they were young.

After a while, Harvey spoke in a hoarse voice, "Tell me about me and Eloise." Orlena was curious. "Why are you asking about this?"

"Just tell me."

Orlena was simple-minded, so she started from the beginning. Luckily, she and Eloise were close, so Eloise had told her a lot.

Harvey listened quietly.

It was late, around four in the morning.

Orlena's mouth was dry from talking, and she was extremely tired. "That's pretty much it."

Harvey patted her head, whispering, "You go to sleep."

Orlena was worried, "What's wrong with you today?"

Harvey just smiled, not saying anything. He sat downstairs for another half an hour, before going to his bedroom as the sky began to lighten. He sat at the foot of his bed, opening a notebook.

He had made a copy of the notebook.

He looked at the entries "Harvey" had left, and combined with what Orlena had

told him, it started to make sense....noveldrama

The next day. At Prestige Legal Advisors.

Denise watched as Harvey signed the documents, but as she was about to distribute them, Harvey stopped her. "Denise, can you help me find an address?"

Denise was surprised. "Attorney Horigan, are you working overtime?"

Harvey loosened his tie slightly, clearing his throat, "No. It's Eloise's mother. She's living in Peterborough now, right?"

Denise smiled. "No need to check. I frequently deliver things to Ms. Laurent." She wrote down the address for Harvey.

An hour later, Harvey, laden with gifts, rang the bell at Michelle's apartment.

"Who is it?" Michelle came to open the door and then froze. "Harvey..."

Harvey walked in with a light smile, warmly saying, "Hello, I came to check on

you."

Even though Harvey and Eloise were divorced, their past was so

complicated that Michelle couldn't just give him the cold shoulder. "Why

did you bring all these things?

haven't even finished what Lou

bought me."

What she really wanted to ask was what was going on between them.

Harvey took off his coat, hanging it on the rack, He naturally changed into indoor slippers, then squatted down to unpack a box. "It's not food. It's a foot massager. I heard from Denise that this brand is particularly effective for leg pain... Let me fill it with water for you."

After saying that, Harvey went to the bathroom to fill the massager with water.

Michelle was stunned. This was too much for her to handle. She quickly sent a message to Eloise. [Did you and Harvey get back together? He's here.]

Just as she finished sending the message, she saw Harvey standing in the doorway. Michelle laughed awkwardly.

Harvey smiled. "We haven't reconciled. I came over today just to see how you're doing."

He gently ushered Michelle toward the massaging bath. "Come and test the water. If it's not to your liking, I'll adjust it."

Michelle was taken aback by the gentle demeanor of her former son-in-law. Harvey was a sight for sore eyes, and when he genuinely wanted to please someone, no one could resist him.

But Michelle was also protective of her daughter, so she pondered for a while before saying, "Harvey, I'm glad you're here, but... regarding you and Lou, I have to respect her feelings."

Harvey gently massaged her calf, chuckling lightly at her words. "Michelle, you're overthinking. I just wanted to chat with you and get to know about Eloise's childhood."

Michelle's heart softened. She thought back to the past, to the memories of raising Eloise with Angus Laurent. She was deeply moved and ended up sharing

a lot more than she intended.

Harvey listened patiently throughout and later stayed for dinner. By the time he

got in his car to drive home, it was already nine in the evening.

No sooner had he settled into his car than Eloise's call came through.