Tangled Temptations

Harvey walked Eloise to her door, a gentle gesture that wrapped up the evening's warmth. He had no real desire to head to the office; the thought of spending the day with his wife was far more appealing. Nonetheless, Eloise wouldn't have it.

"It's hardly a new concept. You are going to work." She chided with a smile that didn't quite hide her affection.

He settled her onto the couch, turning the heating up to ensure she'd be comfortable before he could leave without worries. The staff, sensing the joyous news, offered their congratulations, to which Harvey responded by generously handing out bonuses.

The winter sun cast a cozy glow through the windows. Clutching a mug of steaming cocoa, Eloise watched Harvey instruct the help with practiced ease. He strode to the car, but as he opened the door, he glanced back, catching her gaze. Their eyes met, and though no words were exchanged, the shared secret of the child growing within her was sweet enough.

...

As dusk fell, Harvey returned with Linda and Luca. The kids stepped out of the car one after the other with familial synchronicity. He watched silently as they entered the grand foyer together.

The foyer was filled with an array of precious gifts and tokens of well-wishing. Eloise was busy overseeing the inventory and directing the staff with ease.

Shedding his coat, Harvey inquired casually, "Do we have many visitors today?"

Eloise shook her head. "Just your Mom and Dad, and Orlena. They brought a whole bunch of stuff."

She then whispered, "Let's keep the pregnancy between us for now. No need for a fuss."

Catching her affectionate look, Harvey couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, whispering, "My lady's right. A pregnant woman shouldn't overexert herself."

Eloise was slightly flustered. With three kids around, Harvey's demonstrative affection was something she fretted might set a too-romantic example. Harvey simply chuckled at her concern. He picked up Darrien, marveling at how well the little guy was growing, all plump and rosy-cheeked.

In his heart, Harvey wished for a daughter - one who would look like Eloise and, hopefully, inherit her temperament as well.

Sensing something in the air, Linda approached and gently touched her mother's belly, and then kissed it with the utmost care.

Eloise gazed down, affectionately stroking Linda's auburn curls. Linda beckoned Luca with her little pale hand. "Come here, Luca."

Luca moved closer hesitantly.

Linda guided his hand to Eloise's belly and whispered, "Luca, you're going to be a big brother. Aren't you excited?”

Luca pressed his cheek against Eloise's tummy. Eloise stroked his hair. The little boy smiled, but his eyes held tears; his young life had been marked by his parents' constant quarrels and the loss of his mother.

Luca never shared his emotions, but he longed for festive days, hoping Uncle Harvey would invite him to stay with the Horigan family for a while.

Eloise empathized deeply with Luca. She bent down to kiss him and said softly, "Luca, you can call me Mom, too."

But Luca, at seven, was too shy for such declarations. His cheeks flushed.

Eloise didn't press him as she was always respectful of the children's feelings. That evening, she had planned to cook dinner, but Harvey insisted she rest. She protested, "It's just pregnancy, it's not that delicate."

Harvey wrapped his arms around her, murmuring, "For others, it probably just is a pregnancy, but for me, it's a first. You rest. I'll take care of dinner."

His culinary skills might not have rivaled Eloise's, but with the kids pitching in, it turned out to be an enjoyable affair.

In the night, hunger nudged Eloise awake. She turned to Harvey, her eyes pleading. He awoke, his voice sounding husky with sleep. "What time is it? Is my wife hungry?"

The bed was cozy and warm, and ordinarily, Eloise wouldn't dream of disturbing him, but this pregnancy left her with an insatiable appetite. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm craving beef soup."

With a playful pat on her backside, Harvey chuckled, "You just have to crave those delicacies."

He dressed quickly and headed downstairs to prepare the soup, leaving Eloise in the warmth of their bedroom. She couldn't sleep, so she got up to check over Linda and Luca's schoolwork, dedicating herself to each child with equal seriousness.

She knew adding another child meant putting career ambitions on hold, but with Encore Soundworks and the restaurant thriving, perhaps she'd occasionally invest in a film or two.

Contentment softened her. In the still of the night, she reflected on the past, finding peace in letting go.

An hour later, Harvey brought the beef soup, a chill in the air following him.

"Give it a try." He set the tray on the coffee table in the living room, watching Eloise eat with grace. She was picky with food, but Harvey's concoction seemed to hit the spot. "It's delicious," she said with a soft smile.

Harvey just smiled. After a while, he pulled out a cigarette, whispering, "I'll step outside for a smoke. I've held off all day."

Eloise hummed her approval. She never asked him to quit; a businessman had his obligations, after all. Just so long as he didn't smoke around the kids.

Harvey stepped out into the cold study. With the window open, the warmth of the day was but a memory. Yet his heart was fuller than ever.

Eloise was pregnant, and this child brought sensations beyond words. He loved her deeply, but there had always been a blank in their shared memories. To the outside world, Harvey was a pillar of strength, either as Attorney Horigan or Mr. Horigan. But in matters of the heart, there were no invincibles.

He had his moments of fragility and fear, and for a long time after Max's passing, he worried that Max held a higher place in Eloise's heart than he did.

But now, with this child on the way, Harvey felt an overwhelming gratitude. From now on, those worries were just that - worries.

The night wind howled as Harvey exhaled his last smoke ring, closing the window and stepping out of the study, back to his wife and their unborn child awaiting in their bedroom.

Eloise leaned against the headboard. The soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminated the pages of her novel as she waited for him. The tender aura in the room seemed to chase away the chill of the night...

...

Come morning, Eloise rose from her slumber.

Harvey had already taken care of getting Linda and Luca up. The two munchkins were now tucking into their breakfast, and their little backpacks were lined up neatly on the couch.

Dressed to the nines, Harvey held a delivery parcel in his hand.

Puzzled, Eloise asked, "Is that for me?"

"Nope."

He replied nonchalantly, ready to stow the package away in the storage room, but

Eloise stopped him. "I want to see it."

Harvey cleared his throat, "Wrong address."

Eloise wasn't convinced.

She insisted on checking, and sure enough, it was something sent from Rossland. Monika's doing.

The sight of that signature made Eloise pause, and a mix of emotions welled up inside her. She faced Harvey. "And you said it was a mistake."

He smiled softly. "I didn't want to upset you."

As Eloise began to open the package, she said quietly, "There's nothing to be upset about."

Her issues with him were his own doing. Other people really weren't that important. What bothered her about Monika was simply her connection to Joan. Eloise thought she might've been a bit too sensitive.

Inside the box was a specialty from the Rossland countryside, some kind of tuber that was ground into flour.

Eloise calmly observed it for a moment before calling the maid to store it in the kitchen - perhaps it would make a comforting cup on a cold day.noveldrama

Harvey slipped his arms around her slender waist from behind, whispering, "Eloise, I never had feelings for her."

"Mhm, I know."

Eloise couldn't help but remember the lipstick mark that day. Had he even desired

her then, things with Harvey wouldn't be the same now. It was his testing that

irked her.

She shot him a sideways glance. "I've decided we should sleep in separate beds for a while."

Harvey protested her decision. He shouldn't have brought in that sort of mail. He persuaded her gently, "If we're apart, who's going to get up and make you beef soup in the middle of the night?"

Eloise pondered and conceded his point.

Harvey fixed his tie with a grin, then called out to the kids, "Let's get in the car. Daddy's going to drop you off at preschool."

Linda and Luca, with their backpacks secured, held hands as they climbed into the vehicle.

Eloise stood at the front door, watching the black family car pull away from the villa. The sunlight warmed on her skin. The breakfast table still held her favorite breakfast, along with Darrien's mashed potatoes. There was no denying that Harvey was a good husband.

Turning back, Eloise watched as Darrien was brought downstairs by the nanny. She planted a loving kiss on her son's forehead.

By noon, she received a call from Orlena.

Apparently, there was a hiccup with Brett's project, and the launch was postponed

until the end of the year. Brett was swamped, and it seemed he wouldn't be able

to visit Peterborough for quite a while.

Through her sobs, Orlena confessed on the phone, "Maybe it's for the best. I hadn't really figured things out yet."

Thinking of Harvey's words about Orlena being stubborn, Eloise could now truly relate. After the call, she went out of her way to check on Brett.

Busy as he was, Brett seemed in high spirits, suggesting the issue wasn't too serious. Upon learning of Eloise's pregnancy, he spoke with tender affection, "Next time I come to Peterborough, I'll bring you something special."

Eloise nodded and hung up.

...

Days passed, and Eloise's belly began to swell. Three months in, and it was starting to show.

She had arranged to meet Veronica for a shopping spree at the baby boutique. The adorable baby clothes, in their soft pastel hues, had Veronica itching with excitement. While picking out outfits, she whispered, "These past few years, Riley and I have been trying for another one, but we've had no luck. Eloise, how do you and Harvey do it? You'll have four at home now; have three more, and you've got a full set of seven siblings."

She chuckled, then shifted to a more intimate topic. "Is it because he won't wear protection?"

Eloise was speechless. After a moment of thought, she quietly said, "This baby was planned."

Veronica was green with envy. She didn't just pick out clothes for Eloise's baby;

she couldn't resist buying two tiny pink outfits, hoping she might need them someday.

Eloise found it both exasperating and amusing, remarking, "Kids need looking after. You won't be so free once you have kids."

Veronica sighed, still yearning for one.

As they chatted and shopped, they didn't notice Ravenna watching them silently through the store window.

Ravenna seemed even slimmer than before. She watched Eloise's gently rounded belly, Eloise's expression soft and content. Eloise must've been so happy.

It was well-known in their circle that Harvey wasn't one for socializing or being attracted to other women. He cherished his wife dearly.

Ravenna felt jealous, but she could handle that. What she couldn't bear was the

thought of Max dying in a car accident for Eloise's sake. Why should Eloise enjoy such peace and happiness?

Shouldn't she be wracked with guilt, tormented day and night? How could she still

be so affectionate with Harvey and even expecting another child?

It was as if... as if... Max's existence meant nothing at all.

Just then, the baby boutique welcomed familiar faces - Jeffrey and his mother.

Surprised to see Eloise, they exchanged glances.

Upon noticing Eloise's baby bump, Jeffrey took a moment to regain his composure before offering his congratulations, "Congratulations, Ms. Laurent." Eloise offered a gracious smile.

Despite the awkwardness stemming from Eloise's past with Max, Jeffrey's mother

Aliza understood the importance of maintaining good relations with the Horigan family, whether in the entertainment industry or the business world.

She chose a premium baby gift set for Eloise, who accepted it after a moment's consideration.

Veronica couldn't help but stare at Jeffrey, who was a spitting image of a young

Max.

As they left, Jeffrey courteously opened the car door for them. The car drove off smoothly, leaving behind the memories of yet another day.

Aliza's complexion was clouded with worry as she turned to Jeffrey. "Jeffrey. She's married, and she's about to have her third child with her husband." Jeffrey gently supported his mother, and his voice was soft and reassuring. "Mom, don't worry. I'm not going to end up like Uncle Max."

He admitted to himself that he had feelings for Eloise, but his affection was complicated. It was a mix of admiration, attraction, and a deep sense of nostalgia for his uncle. He believed that if Uncle Max had any lingering concerns before he passed, it would have been about Eloise. And if Jeffrey could look after her, even just a bit, wouldn't that be a good thing?

Aliza patted his hand and was comforted by her son's maturity; he had always been so sensible, even as a young boy.

As soon as Eloise got into the car, Veronica started grilling her.

"That guy... does he have a thing for you?"

Eloise laughed helplessly. "Do you think that's a good thing?"

Veronica pondered for a moment, "He seems decent. Not like Max in his youth,

full of wild ambitions."

Eloise leaned back in her seat.

After a long pause, she spoke softly, "Before he died, I really resented him. But

now that he's gone, all that hatred has vanished like smoke. What's left is just a

sigh." Veronica knew Eloise had been through a lot and held her hand in silent support. Eloise smiled faintly. "I'm fine. It's just that sometimes I still dream of him, of our

college days... Veronica, I often feel like Max isn't really gone, like he's still around me."

Veronica felt a chill run down her spine. Should they call in a psychic or perform some kind of ritual?

Eloise, however, was unafraid.

Just then, her phone rang. It was a message from Natalia. [Ms. Laurent, our movie premiere is next week. Will you be attending?]

Without a second thought, Eloise knew she would be there. Meanwhile, Veronica began to make a fuss. "I want a ticket too, and I still don't have Ms. Olea's autograph. She's quite aloof, and not everyone can get close. I bet only your uncle could put her in her place."