Tangled Temptations

Chapter 359

Harvey walked Eloise to her door, a gentle gesture that wrapped up the evening's warmth. He had no real desire to head to the office; the thought of spending the day with his wife was far more appealing. Nonetheless, Eloise wouldn't have it.

"It's hardly a new concept. You are going to work." She chided with a smile that didn't quite hide her affection.

He settled her onto the couch, turning the heating up to ensure she'd be comfortable before he could leave without worries. The staff, sensing the joyous news, offered their congratulations, to which Harvey responded by generously handing out bonuses.

The winter sun cast a cozy glow through the windows. Clutching a mug of steaming cocoa, Eloise watched Harvey instruct the help with practiced ease. He strode to the car, but as he opened the door, he glanced back, catching her gaze. Their eyes met, and though no words were exchanged, the shared secret of the child growing within her was sweet enough.

...

As dusk fell, Harvey returned with Linda and Luca. The kids stepped out of the car one after the other with familial synchronicity. He watched silently as they entered the grand foyer together.

The foyer was filled with an array of precious gifts and tokens of well-wishing. Eloise was busy overseeing the inventory and directing the staff with ease.

Shedding his coat, Harvey inquired casually, "Do we have many visitors today?"

Eloise shook her head. "Just your Mom and Dad, and Orlena. They brought a whole bunch of stuff."

She then whispered, "Let's keep the pregnancy between us for now. No need for a fuss."

Catching her affectionate look, Harvey couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, whispering, "My lady's right. A pregnant woman shouldn't overexert herself."

Eloise was slightly flustered. With three kids around, Harvey's demonstrative affection was something she fretted might set a too-romantic example. Harvey simply chuckled at her concern. He picked up Darrien, marveling at how well the little guy was growing, all plump and rosy-cheeked.

In his heart, Harvey wished for a daughter - one who would look like Eloise and, hopefully, inherit her temperament as well.

Sensing something in the air, Linda approached and gently touched her mother's belly, and then kissed it with the utmost care.

Eloise gazed down, affectionately stroking Linda's auburn curls. Linda beckoned Luca with her little pale hand. "Come here, Luca."

Luca moved closer hesitantly.

Linda guided his hand to Eloise's belly and whispered, "Luca, you're going to be a big brother. Aren't you excited?”

Luca pressed his cheek against Eloise's tummy. Eloise stroked his hair. The little boy smiled, but his eyes held tears; his young life had been marked by his parents' constant quarrels and the loss of his mother.

Luca never shared his emotions, but he longed for festive days, hoping Uncle Harvey would invite him to stay with the Horigan family for a while.

Eloise empathized deeply with Luca. She bent down to kiss him and said softly, "Luca, you can call me Mom, too."

But Luca, at seven, was too shy for such declarations. His cheeks flushed.

Eloise didn't press him as she was always respectful of the children's feelings. That evening, she had planned to cook dinner, but Harvey insisted she rest. She protested, "It's just pregnancy, it's not that delicate."

Harvey wrapped his arms around her, murmuring, "For others, it probably just is a pregnancy, but for me, it's a first. You rest. I'll take care of dinner."

His culinary skills might not have rivaled Eloise's, but with the kids pitching in, it turned out to be an enjoyable affair.

In the night, hunger nudged Eloise awake. She turned to Harvey, her eyes pleading. He awoke, his voice sounding husky with sleep. "What time is it? Is my wife hungry?"

The bed was cozy and warm, and ordinarily, Eloise wouldn't dream of disturbing him, but this pregnancy left her with an insatiable appetite. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm craving beef soup."

With a playful pat on her backside, Harvey chuckled, "You just have to crave those delicacies."

He dressed quickly and headed downstairs to prepare the soup, leaving Eloise in the warmth of their bedroom. She couldn't sleep, so she got up to check over Linda and Luca's schoolwork, dedicating herself to each child with equal seriousness.

She knew adding another child meant putting career ambitions on hold, but with Encore Soundworks and the restaurant thriving, perhaps she'd occasionally invest in a film or two.

Contentment softened her. In the still of the night, she reflected on the past, finding peace in letting go.

hour later, Harvey brought the beef soup,

in the living room, watching Eloise eat with grace. She was picky with

smiled. After a while, he pulled out a cigarette, whispering, "I'll step outside for a smoke. I've held off all

quit; a businessman had his obligations, after all. Just

stepped out into the cold study. With the window open, the warmth of the day

was pregnant, and this child brought sensations beyond words. He loved her deeply, but there had always been a blank in their shared memories. To the outside world, Harvey was a pillar

fragility and fear, and for a long time after Max's passing,

Harvey felt an overwhelming gratitude. From now

as Harvey exhaled his last smoke ring, closing the window and stepping out of the study, back to his wife and their unborn

novel as

...

Eloise rose from

getting Linda and Luca up. The two munchkins were now tucking into their breakfast, and their little backpacks were lined up neatly

the nines, Harvey held a delivery parcel

asked, "Is

"Nope."

ready to stow the

"I want to see

his throat, "Wrong

Eloise wasn't convinced.

insisted on checking, and sure enough, it was something sent from

mix of emotions welled up inside her. She faced

softly. "I didn't

package, she said quietly, "There's nothing to

his own doing. Other people really weren't that important. What bothered her about Monika was simply her connection to Joan. Eloise thought she might've been

specialty from the Rossland countryside, some kind

moment before calling the maid to store it in the kitchen -

around her slender waist from behind,

"Mhm, I know."

help but remember the lipstick mark that day. Had

the same now. It was his

irked her.

decided we should sleep in separate beds for

mail. He persuaded her gently, "If we're apart,

and conceded

grin, then called out to the kids, "Let's get in

held hands as they climbed into the

car pull away from the villa. The sunlight warmed on her skin. The breakfast table still held her favorite breakfast,

as Darrien was brought downstairs by the nanny. She planted

she received a call from

hiccup with Brett's project, and the

of the year. Brett was swamped, and it seemed he wouldn't be

for quite a

phone, "Maybe it's for the best. I hadn't really figured things out

truly relate. After the call, she went out of her way to check on

he was, Brett seemed in high spirits, suggesting the issue wasn't too serious. Upon learning of Eloise's pregnancy, he spoke with tender affection,

and hung

...

Eloise's belly began to swell. Three months in,

excitement. While picking out outfits, she whispered, "These past few years, Riley and I have

to a more intimate topic. "Is

thought, she

didn't

couldn't resist buying two tiny pink

looking after. You won't be so