Tangled Temptations

Chapter 201

Eloise woke up in the afternoon.

The air conditioning in her apartment was set to a comfortable cool.

Subtle footsteps echoed from the living room. They were so faint, one had to listen carefully to pick up on them.

Eloise quickly sat up.

To her surprise, it was Denise, a close associate of Harvey, who had appeared in her apartment, accompanied by a doctor.

Upon seeing Eloise awake, Denise cheerfully said, "I heard you weren't feeling well, so Attorney Horigan asked me to bring a doctor to check on you. He's got an important meeting today, otherwise he would have come himself."

Eloise's head was still a bit dizzy, but she felt even more embarrassed at this moment.

Nobody knew better about her past relationship with Harvey than Denise. Denise probably even overheard what happened on New Year's Eve at Harvey's place.

Eloise decided to ignore all that.

"I guess I caught a cold," Eloise said in a hoarse voice, "It's nothing serious."

"But Attorney Horigan is worried about you," Denise said with a smile, which only added to Eloise's embarrassment.

The doctor didn't say much. After examining Eloise and administering an injection, he left.

In the apartment, only the two women remained.

Denise, a veteran in the corporate world, was unfazed by the awkward atmosphere. She even tied on an apron and said with a smile, "You should avoid greasy foods when you're sick. I'll make you some chicken soup. I see you have some celery in the fridge."

Eloise didn't want to be a bother.

"Don't worry about it," Denise assured her, "Attorney Horigan didn't trust anyone else to come. Besides, I had half a day off today and now I can pick up my son earlier."

Eloise chuckled.

She knew Denise was one of Harvey's confidants, careful with her words.

As Denise cooked the soup, she chatted with Eloise, discussing the events that followed her breakup with Harvey. Towards the end of their conversation, Denise sighed softly, "Eloise, these past six months haven't been good for Attorney Horigan."

Denise knew about the rift between Eloise and Harvey, and she felt guilty about it. If she hadn't asked Eloise to deliver the files that night, perhaps they wouldn't have broken up. But as a woman, she was quite glad that Eloise went that day, otherwise, they might really end up like many married couples, unable to make it till the end.

As they talked, Eloise ate the soup and finally said, "You don't have to blame yourself. Our breakup wasn't because of anyone else, not even completely because of Joan. Even when she attempted suicide and Harvey had to go to her, we didn't break up. It was our own problems."

Harvey was willing to marry, just like any other man in high society.

He wanted a respectable wife and an heir.

He liked her body, and he could remain faithful during the honeymoon phase, but beyond that, no one could guarantee.

They both couldn't.

Eloise wanted was a lifelong

in that way, but she thought that she would never

one incident

didn't share these

wrong between them, no forgiveness necessary, just

was

treated her, she would reciprocate, but she would guard her own

...

left at half-past

Harvey called her. Eloise, not being one to play hard to get, answered it

responded with a hum, "Thank

work. I can bring over some of your

what he was getting

the gap between them, to date like a normal couple. She didn't have the energy

either. So she ambiguously replied, "I'm not feeling well and want to sleep. Let's do it this weekend. I'll

Harvey remained silent.

So did Eloise.

eerie silence between them. Eventually, Harvey broke the silence, "Rest well if you're

nodded, then hung up the

street light casting a shadow on his side profile. He was just downstairs of

she didn't want him

car, carrying a

there were also

the night here to take care of

come, there was no reason not to let her know. But he had his pride, so he simply hung the bag

...

went out to walk

soon as she opened the door, she saw the two bags. She

she took them back inside and

a razor, bathrobe slippers,

know

the items down, pretending not to know, acting as

they had agreed on a one-year term, but she didn't plan on letting

life. She didn't plan on letting

work, Dwight wasn't there to

cab to Crescendo Sound Workshop. Fortunately, Harvey was at Crescendo

Dwight gave her

refused to drive her, and rarely came to see

about Dwight's whereabouts. Knowing that he wasn't messing around and was working hard, and that

Dwight agreed

his attitude was