Tangled Temptations

Chapter 249

The Horigan family's living room was bustling with activity. Parker, ever the magnanimous host, pointed to Brett's mother and declared, "This is Grandma!"

Daniel was a bit timid, but he bravely approached the elderly woman. As Tracey cradled the small boy in her arms, a whirlwind of emotions assaulted her.

Joy, yes, but mostly guilt! She was not young anymore, but she insisted on hugging Daniel, planting a kiss on his forehead.

Initially, she had brought gifts to subtly propose a marriage for her son. Now, all the presents were bestowed upon her grandson.

Brett sat by her side, his gaze darting from the child to the woman across the room, Orlena. Orlena didn't deny it, "Yes, we have a child!"

Brett closed his eyes briefly. Doing the math, he realized that the last time he was in Peterborough was when he had gotten her pregnant. And when she went to Brockville, she must have known she was pregnant. What was going through her mind when they broke up?

Brett pondered, then realized that he was at a dead end. He was no longer a naive young man. He knew that a woman who hadn't returned home for two years, raising a child on her own, must harbor more than just love for the child. She also held resentment towards him.

His thoughts were interrupted as Harvey and Eloise returned. Harvey surveyed the room and chuckled, "What's going on? Everyone's here?"

He affectionately ruffled Daniel's hair and greeted Tracey. The old lady was quite fond of him, and with the current situation, his charm was more appreciated than

ever.

As Harvey and Eloise settled down, an unspoken tension remained between Parker and Brett. In the end, Pauline tearfully called out, "Parker!"

Not wanting to embarrass himself in front of his wife, Parker sipped his tea and laughingly told Tracey, "The kids are all grown up. Let them sort it out!"

Tracey rose steadily, determined to take charge.

Eloise's identity was the most subtle, she held Daniel's little hand and took him out to play. Without the child, Tracey found it much easier to get things done.

Brett was utterly obedient in her presence. Tracey sternly addressed him, "Brett, the Horigan family and the Laurent family are related by marriage, and Orlena is your junior. How could you hurt her like this? And to keep the existence of your own child a secret from us! Is this how I raised you?"

his head in shame,

don't need

he knelt in front of Parker and his wife. They were taken aback, not expecting Brett to be

a man when he's down. He understood that his daughter wouldn't have secretly borne Daniel if she didn't genuinely love Brett. He gave his wife a look, and Pauline, not wanting to strain their relationship further, helped Brett to his feet and said politely, "You and Orlena have a son together. You need to discuss amongst

filled with a mixture of guilt

sister, "Orlena, what do

objections would crumble. And with the efforts of both families, he

slightly, and before she could speak, Brett cut her off,

"Go ahead, he won't bite. Besides, he's getting old. He might

both

there were some things that were not suitable to

Orlena stood by the window, offering Brett only her back, and spoke softly,

studied her silhouette. He shook his head gently, "You're lying, Orlena! You knew before we

right, Mr. Brett! I found out the

knew there was no future for them. She had her dignity. Brett had his fair share of women, all sophisticated and charming. Why would she,

around, a faint smile appearing on her lips, "Eloise once said, 'all or nothing.' She stayed with my brother for Linda's sake, because Linda needed care and a father. But Mr. Brett, Daniel has never

Peterborough, I won't stop you." But she would never bring Daniel to Brockville. She would never set foot in Brockville

a lot

the couch, smoking. Unlike his mother, he knew that merely having a child wouldn't make everything right. In fact, the existence of Daniel only made Orlena despise him more, and less

it came to matters of the heart, to the woman he loved, and his own flesh and blood, he remained calm. He

seemed to have made up his mind. He asked her softly, "Have you

merely hummed in

her hair, just like the same way he used to touch her. But he hesitated, with his hand hanging in mid-air. After a long silence, he finally asked in a hoarse voice,

She nodded, "Yes."

was a purely platonic gesture, void of any lust or romantic intentions, just like an

tenderness was like poison to her. Orlena didn't want to fall into it, and she gently pushed him

of the curtains, he whispered, "Orlena, when I'm

visibly taken aback, then she just smiled faintly, "It doesn't matter