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?"

head in shame,

"You've failed Orlena! I don't need to tell you what

he knelt in front of Parker and his wife. They were taken

wasn't one to kick 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

room was filled with a mixture of guilt and

his sister, "Orlena, what do you

existence of their child, Brett's objections would crumble. And with the efforts of both families, he would be willing

could speak, Brett cut her off, "Let's talk

her brother, who took a sip of his tea and smirked, "Go ahead, he won't bite. Besides, he's getting old. He

words were both humorous

that were not suitable to be said in front of

retreated to a smaller room to talk. Orlena stood by the window, offering Brett only her back, and spoke softly, "Daniel was conceived the last

shook his head gently, "You're lying, Orlena! You

I found out the night we broke up. I wanted to tell you, but you said we weren't

dignity. Brett had his fair share of women, all sophisticated and charming. Why would she, a simple girl, ever be able to capture his heart? It was a fool's

nothing.' She stayed with my brother for Linda's sake, because Linda needed care and a father. But Mr. Brett, Daniel has

I won't stop you." But she would never bring Daniel to Brockville. She would

said a

the couch, smoking. Unlike his mother, he knew that merely having a child wouldn't make everything right.

to matters of the heart, to the woman he

to have

merely hummed in

hovering inches away from 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, "Was it hard for you

She nodded, "Yes."

hugged her then. It was a purely platonic gesture, void of any lust or romantic intentions, just like an elder comforting a

to fall into it, and she gently pushed

In the shadow of the curtains, he whispered, "Orlena, when I'm with you,

was visibly taken aback, then she just smiled