Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 218

Brett cocked his chin, his eyes slightly squinting. After a moment, he scoffed, “Barely got your whiskers, and you're trying to play grown-up games!” With that, he swaggered away, flanked by his bodyguards, seeming cold as a winter's night.

Orlena was genuinely scared of him.

Suddenly, Joan shrieked, "Dad... your hand...!"

Griffin sat upright with a jolt. He held up his hand, the bones crushed, his career as an artist likely over.

Pain knocked him unconscious. He thought this was some divine punishment from Louise up in heaven.

Orlena, despite her disdain for them, had been saved by him in her youth. She called a doctor for Griffin, but she didn't speak to them.

Griffin's voice trembled. "Orlena, do you also think I'm the embodiment of evil? I just... thought since Eloise and Joan are sisters, and Harvey is Joan's brother-in-law. It's only right to help the family."

Orlena choked up, unable to speak. Finally, she took a deep breath. "What's right? You knew Joan was after my brother, but you just kept indulging her, creating opportunities for misunderstandings! You're just biased and trying to push Joan onto my brother. Griffin, my parents might care about appearances and not say it, but I'll tell you straight. We can never accept a girl like Joan with her chaotic love life! And you might not know this, Griffin, but my brother broke up with her after catching her in bed with her fitness coach. The floor was littered with... used condoms... How does that feel, Griffin?"

Griffin turned pale. He looked at his adopted daughter, heartbroken. He had always thought her a bit headstrong, but otherwise pure. He had no idea she could be so promiscuous!

Joan gritted her teeth. "You're lying!"

Orlena rolled her eyes. "You would know if I was lying. Maybe you should get a check-up, who knows what you might have by now! And stay away from us, or I'll call Brett!"

It felt good to get that off her chest. But thinking of Eloise and Linda, she turned away, eyes welling up.

In the hospital room.

Once everyone left, Harvey tried to speak to Eloise, but she still refused to communicate with him. She turned her back to him.

Harvey watched her for a long time, then silently left. He went to see Michelle.

Michelle's leg injury was severe, and she was still bedridden. Otherwise, she would have been taking care of Eloise herself. Hearing about their child's condition, she cried every day until her eyes were sore.

Harvey entered the room, quietly calling out, "Michelle."

Michelle was adjusting her leg. Seeing him, tears welled up in her eyes. She was so heartbroken she couldn't speak.

Harvey handed her a tissue and poured a glass of water.

Michelle wiped her tears, composed herself, then softly said, "Harvey, I know what you're thinking... you still want to be with Eloise. But a marriage doesn't work like that. I know you're a talented lawyer, never lost a lawsuit, but going to Britain had some sort of uncertainty. Eloise was pregnant, and with your relationship with Joan... you shouldn't have gone!"

Harvey nodded. He slowly squatted down, resting his head next to Michelle's leg. "It's my fault! I don't want to lose Eloise. I want a chance to make it up to her."

Michelle couldn't help but cry again.

Compensation. How could they compensate for Linda, who was now in an incubator? No number of children could replace Linda.

Harvey smiled faintly.

In reality, Eloise didn't need him. Despite her physical weakness, she didn't need anyone's help, except for the nutritious meals sent by her family, of which she only ate a few bites.

Harvey also stayed at the hospital. Every day, he could only see Eloise for half an hour when they visited Linda. They would stand together, looking at the tiny baby. It was only then that he felt they were still married, that Eloise was still his wife. But Eloise refused to engage in any conversation. She was lost in her own world, oblivious to everyone around her.

A week went by, and Eloise seemed to have lost more weight. One day a doctor beckoned him, requesting a private chat in his office. On the doctor's desk was a medical report. It was the result of Eloise's check-up from the previous day. The rows of downward arrows on the paper made Harvey's heart skip a beat, his fingers trembling as he held the report.

The renowned obstetrician had a close relationship with the Horigan family. She got straight to the point. "Harvey, your wife's health is deteriorating. She's dealing with extreme anxiety because of the baby, and she's refusing to eat!"

Harvey, his throat tightening, responded, "I'll talk to her."

The doctor gazed at him for a long moment before saying softly, "She has postpartum depression."

Postpartum depression.

Harvey's face turned pale. He knew what those words meant.

The older doctor patted his shoulder. "I'll prescribe her some antidepressants, but the key issue is her mental state. Harvey, spend more time with her."

Harvey nodded, about to end the conversation, when his phone rang. It was Parker, his voice strained. "Harvey, get over here! Something's wrong with the baby!"