Tangled Temptations

Chapter 255

Harvey's shamelessness was no news to Eloise. She blushed slightly, "Jerk."

Harvey pulled her onto his lap, lightly chuckling, "Who was it that couldn't let go of me this morning in the shower?"

Eloise simple didn't want to deal with him. She pushed him away. Just as she was about to go back to the couch to sort out some paperwork, Harvey's phone rang. It was a call from Parker.

His words were short and restrained, "Griffin just passed away."

The implications were clear - Griffin was, after all, Eloise's biological father, and it would be better for Harvey to break the news to her.

Harvey understood. He ended the call and pulled Eloise back into his embrace. Resting his head on hers, he whispered, "Griffin is gone."

Eloise stiffened noticeably. She didn't say anything, just leaned against Harvey's shoulder silently. Harvey knew this must be tough for her. Regardless of everything, Griffin was the man who had once been involved with Louise and the man who had fathered Eloise.

In a soft voice, Harvey asked, "Do you want to go? I'll go with you."

After a long while, Eloise shook her head, "No." It wasn't that she was heartless, but if she went, she'd have to face the Lynch family. Besides, what role would she be playing there?

With this turn of events, Eloise was bound to feel down. Harvey was there to comfort her.

The next day, Griffin was laid to rest.

Eloise visited Louise's grave. Staring at the image of Louise's youthful, smiling face, she placed a bouquet of lilies on the grave and murmured, "Mom, he's gone."

Harvey stood by her side, silently comforting her. Eloise leaned against him, whispering, "Four years ago, when dad was buried, Griffin spat out blood here. It seems like this ending was destined. Harvey, he betrayed mom. I think these years have been hard for him, or else he wouldn't have fallen ill like this."

Harvey just hummed in response. He hoped Eloise could let go and find peace.

...

Around noon, Harvey led Eloise out of the cemetery. As they got into the car, he said, "Dad asked us to come home for lunch. Orlena has already picked up Linda."

Eloise's heart softened, "Linda really likes Orlena." Mentioning Orlena reminded Eloise of her own uncle, and she sighed lightly.

Harvey gently stepped on the gas. He chuckled, "Let them handle their own affairs. They're both not young anymore."

Eloise said, "You really had a sharp tongue."

Harvey held her hand, unabashedly saying, "You didn't seem to mind when you were using it."

Eloise looked away with a blush.

Half an hour later, they arrived back at the Horigan Mansion. In the hall, Parker was sipping tea. Seeing Harvey and Eloise return, he gestured for them to sit down.

Parker's feelings were quite complicated. He genuinely felt sorry for Eloise. Griffin's death had brought the Lynch family knocking on their door. Jane had made quite a scene, demanding Eloise to mourn for Griffin. But Parker had managed to ward off these demands.

feeling down, he gently smiled,

Eloise nodded in agreement.

the subject, "When are you

Getting married?

Eloise and I just got back

Let's have a few more years of

fun? Do you think you're still young? Besides, is marriage going to stop you

Harvey scratched his nose.

"Let's wait until Linda grows up

like it. Unlike Harvey, who can't speak anything nice

the mood

a

the drive home, Harvey held Eloise's hand and asked softly,

was all ears in the back seat. Eloise caught her in the

her, "Not getting any younger, huh Eloise? If we delay any longer, I'm afraid no one would

his gaze

he looked at her like that, she

twice. Afterwards, he held her close and whispered, "I have to go to Sydney on business tomorrow. It'll take about ten days. I'd love to take you and Linda with me, but she

thought it would

be apart for a while, Harvey couldn't resist his desires and made love to Eloise until she wept and pleaded for him

rose on the pillow next to her, but

in bed for another ten minutes before getting up to take care of Linda. Linda

off at kindergarten, where she saw Luca, the boy Linda had been talking

Linda blushed, lifted her

the car. She sent

and it was almost noon

Eloise chuckled.

Eloise took the opportunity to visit Encore

over the accounts

she had

"There's been a murder in Northville. Traffic was all blocked off,

poor soul bled

help but ask, "Did they catch

head, "Not yet. What kind of grudge makes a person kill like that? I

her spine. She stirred her coffee absentmindedly, trying to

continued chatting, but

in bed feeling scared, and couldn't

with him for half an hour, she

the morning, her eyes were shadowed with fatigue, which took a lot of

dropping off Linda at school, Eloise got