Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 213

Eloise looked pale as death. She was trying to remember; it probably happened one late night when he was in the mood.

She was half asleep at that time, totally unprepared. He probably forgot to be careful.

...

Veronica, holding her belly, came over. Seeing Eloise's expression, she muttered, "What are you going to do?"

Eloise washed up vigorously. She said, "I'm feeling a bit queasy. I'm going to the hospital."

She visited the hospital in the afternoon, got an appointment, and had a blood test. The results came out in half an hour. As she suspected, she was 6 weeks pregnant.

Eloise sat in the long hallway of the hospital, gently stroking her belly. Inside her was a precious gift from herself and Harvey. Despite the surprise, Eloise wanted this baby. Moreover, she wanted to tell Harvey that the baby was theirs; regardless of their relationship status, she didn't want her baby to grow up without a father or a mother.

Eloise dialed Harvey's number. A few rings later, he picked up, his voice soft. "What's up?"

Eloise's throat tightened. She whispered, "Harvey, I'm pregnant!"

There was silence on the other end. He was probably surprised too, but Harvey quickly recovered. "Wait for me there, I'm on my way."

Eloise hummed in agreement. She hung up and stared at the pregnancy test results for a long time.

...

Harvey arrived in less than half an hour. As he approached her, he slowed down, his gaze full of pure warmth.

Eloise looked back at him in silence.

After a while, he squatted in front of her and held her hand gently. In the winter, Eloise's hands were a bit cold. He warmed them up before he spoke, his voice hoarse, "Eloise, let's get married!"

Without waiting for Eloise's response, he escorted her out of the hospital. They got in the car, and Eloise turned to him. “I want to go back to the apartment!”

Harvey nodded and gently pressed the gas pedal.

Around Christmas, Peterborough always had a soft snowfall, which added a touch of romance to the sky. He drove slowly, what would usually be a half-hour trip took a full 50 minutes.

Eloise wasn’t feeling well, and as soon as they got home, she went to bed.

Harvey stayed. He had Denise bring some files so he could work there, and he also had some food sent over from the Horigan family mansion. He waited patiently and gently for Eloise to wake up.

Eloise slept for a long time. She didn't wake up until nine at night. Harvey heard her stir and came in from outside. In the small, warm apartment, he took off his coat and sat down, looking dashing in his shirt and trousers.

Eloise got up and quietly joined him for dinner. When they were almost finished, she whispered, "If it's a girl, let's name her Linda. I like that name. If it's a boy, let's call him Pete."

Linda and Pete.

Harvey stroked her face. "Those are really nice names!"

Eloise continued to eat.

After they finished, she revealed her decision, "Let's get the marriage license first. We can have the wedding after the baby is born. That will be in the fall. Harvey, I love the fall."

Whatever she said, he agreed. Perhaps it was the snow, or the fact that she was pregnant, but the night was incredibly tender. Eloise cradled a cup of warm milk, watching the snow outside. Harvey was nestled on the small couch, handling his work. He was thinking about the many things he would have to do in the future. Once he finished his current case, he would take a break to be with Eloise during her delivery.

First-time mothers always needed extra care.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Griffin. In the middle of the night, the ringtone was particularly sharp. Harvey didn't avoid Eloise. He answered, "Griffin, what's up?"

Because of past events, the relationship between the Horigan and Lynch families was a bit delicate, not as close as before. But because of the big favor Griffin had done for him, Harvey still treated him with closeness.

Griffin seemed a bit hesitant. "Harvey, the second trial is in half a month. I hope you can come three days early to communicate with the lawyers there."

Harvey chuckled. "A phone call or a video call would suffice!"

Griffin was a bit unhappy. "Harvey, it's just three days!"

Harvey was honest with him. "Eloise is pregnant! Besides taking care of her, I also need to visit the Noland family in Brockville! Griffin, you understand, right?"

Griffin was stunned. Eloise was pregnant? He always thought Eloise and Harvey wouldn't last, but now they were having a baby.

Griffin asked shakily, "She acknowledged the Noland family?"

Harvey simply hummed in response.

Griffin felt a bitter taste in his throat. He couldn't accept that his child with Louise acknowledged the Noland family. He was...he was Eloise's biological father, but she stubbornly refused to acknowledge him.

Griffin hung up the phone in a daze.

...

The next day, Harvey made a trip back to the Horigan Mansion.

Parker was enjoying a cup of tea in the hall. Seeing his son return, he scoffed, "I wondered who it was, turns out it is the young boy of the Horigan family! What have you been so busy with? I haven't seen you in half a month!"

His words were harsh. Parker coughed lightly, praying for Griffin.

Brett let him in anyway. Shortly after, Griffin came in with Jane, carrying some gifts. Brett smiled. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit from a renowned artist?"

Griffin was always shy around him. He would usually never dare to approach the Noland family, but today he had to fight for his rights. After careful consideration, he spoke, "Harvey and Eloise's marriage is settled. My mother and I only have one request - let Eloise marry from the Lynch family, and we, the Lynch family, will provide the dowry! If there is a second child, we hop, we hope the child can carry the Griffin name!"

Parker couldn't bear to listen. But he kept quiet, letting Brett take the lead.

Brett was always refined and scholarly, but that was all just pretense. He didn't need to hide anything from Griffin. He exploded, "Bullshit! What does a Noland child have to do with you, Griffin?"

Griffin pulled out a DNA test result. His voice hoarse, he said, "Eloise is the child of Louise and me, and that's something no one can change!"

Brett sneered. He pointed at Griffin, his voice softening, "How much does a DNA test cost, Griffin? Let me ask you, have you ever spent a penny on Eloise? Did you ever hold her when she was a baby? I'll tell you, it was Angus and Michelle who raised her. At the wedding, Eloise will only call Michelle her mother. You, Griffin, don't even have the right to attend!

"Who do you think you are, her father? Eloise's father rests in a grave next to my sister Louise, while you, Griffin, sleep next to other women. After driving my sister away, you immediately married someone else! Now you want to play the role of a cheap father. Where in the world does such a good thing exist?"

...

Griffin had no retort. Back then, Louise had misunderstood him. He had indeed shared a bed with Diana, but nothing had happened!

Louise had left impulsively. He only found out she was pregnant after he married Diana. He was kept in the dark about everything.

Brett, holding a cigarette between his fingers, pointed at him. "It's divine retribution that you have no descendants!"

His beloved sister Louise, born into a prestigious family, was willing to follow a poor boy. But reality was crueler than fiction. His sister was betrayed by the poor boy!

That ungrateful man, holding his wicked girl, enjoyed a blissful marriage for over 20 years! Ha! Claiming his daughter, he must have been dreaming!

Brett didn't mince his words, and he didn't need to. What had Griffin lost? Nothing. But Louise had died from depression, and Brett had lost his most beloved sister.

Parker stood aside. Griffin sought his help, but Parker knew where his priorities lay. He could only apologize.

Griffin had indeed done the Horigan family many favors, but he had repaid them over the years. Moreover, when Orlena was rescued from drowning and spoke in her sleep, she claimed Joan had pushed her.

It was a child's mischief, and Griffin had lost his ability to have children, so some words were hard to say.

At this point, naturally, Eloise and the baby in her belly were more important. Harvey was willing to fight that lawsuit, and that was enough.

Griffin left in disappointment. As he left the Noland residence, he looked up at the sky. "Louise, you still haven't forgiven me. You're still punishing me!"