Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 115

Harvey caressed Eloise's long hair gently, whispering. "Sorry, I've got some work to deal with." He then got up and headed toward the study.

His sudden departure left Eloise puzzled.

She didn't want to take control in this relationship, but she could sense that something was off with Harvey.

The girl in his heart was probably back.

She had just mentioned Griffin's daughter, Joan.

Eloise suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

Joan was the girl in Harvey's heart!

And yet, despite the many times she had seen Griffin, despite the naughty things Harvey had done with her over the phone, despite his teasing, he never once told her that his past was with Joan.

No one told her!

Everyone knew, except for Eloise.

The early autumn night was a bit chilly.

Eloise sat alone on the living room couch. She was separated from Harvey by just a wall, but she felt as if they were worlds apart.

Eloise did have feelings for Harvey.

The morning roses next to the pillow, the grand piano, and those nights of passionate love.

Eloise smiled faintly, realizing all this meant nothing. The mere mention of Joan's name could overshadow everything between her and Harvey.

Eloise didn't want to shamelessly talk to him about it.

Because they weren’t in an actual relationship.

Even a fool like her could tell from Harvey's attitude just now that Joan still had an incomparable impact on him. Eloise wasn't the kind of girl to bring disgrace upon herself.

He wanted some alone time, so Eloise would grant him some space.

Still, Eloise prepared him a late-night snack and placed it in a thermal container on the dining table where he would see it when he came out of the study.

Eloise sat quietly in the living room, went through the financial statements of Encore Soundworks, took a bath, and took care of her skin. Her failed four-year relationship with Max taught her that there was no good outcome from doting on a man.

Late at night.

Harvey sat in his study.

The ashtray on the wooden desk was filled with cigarette butts, and the room was filled with smoke. After finishing the last cigarette, he crumpled up the pack and threw it into the trash can.

His eyes were a bit sore, reminding him that it was late.

Harvey got up and walked straight out.

Under the dim light in the living room, Eloise had left only a small nightlight on. In the faint light, he easily spotted the late-night snack on the table.

He opened it and found a slice of cheesecake.

After eating a few bites, Harvey entered the master bedroom.

Eloise was already in bed.

She was lying on her side, wearing a conservative white cotton nightgown. Harvey once read somewhere that “a woman's choice of nightwear indicates whether she wants to make love or not”, and clearly, Eloise didn't want to tonight.

Harvey suspected that she might have learned something.

So after he took a bath, he held her from behind.

Eloise didn't want to wake up, but he insisted.

"Harvey!" Eloise sighed softly, turned to face him, and whispered. "I'm a bit tired; I’m not in the mood for sex!"

Harvey wasn't in the mood either. He just wanted to talk to Eloise. He pressed his forehead against hers and confessed. "I was in a relationship with Griffin's daughter, Joan, for a few years."

Eloise was slightly taken aback. She leaned into his chest, in a place he couldn't see, and asked softly. "Do you want to get back together with her?"

"No." Harvey sounded somewhat cold. "She's already engaged."

With his answer, Eloise stopped asking.

In her heart, she thought, his reply wasn't really meant to explain anything to her. It was more like he was explaining to himself that Joan was a thing of the past and that she was already engaged.

From start to finish, this had nothing to do with Eloise.

Eloise understood this very well. She held his neck tightly, jokingly saying, "That's good; I don't want to be the other woman."

A shadow appeared in front of her.

Eloise looked up and saw that it was Max.

Max looked way better today than he had in a while, and Eloise reckoned that the crisis at Velona Corporation must've been sorted.

Today was Orlena's birthday; she wanted to wish her a happy birthday and then wash her hands of Max for good.

Max sensed that Eloise was giving him the cold shoulder.

"You must be thrilled to be Harvey's plus one at these shindigs, huh? Do you think that you're about to become a Horigan? Eloise, did you see him introduce you to Parker?"

Eloise stared him down. "What's your point?"

Max leaned in, and a glint appeared in his eye.

He smirked, with a hint of mockery in his voice. "You know Harvey's not the marrying type, right? Do you have any clue why he's not into tying the knot?"

Before he could finish, Eloise's gaze drifted off.

"I know!" She murmured.

Max was taken aback, then followed her gaze.

At the entrance of the Horigan family's garden.

A slender figure in a fiery red gown that swayed gently appeared. Her long hair cascaded down her waist like waves; she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Harvey, in a slick black suit, locked eyes with her.

The tangled web of romance between them was evident.

Eloise looked down as a faint smile appeared on her face.

Harvey had once claimed she was 'his woman'!

No, she wasn't!

Joan was his red rose, whereas Eloise was just a light soup that Harvey was tasting. She was nothing special.