Tangled Temptations

Chapter 375

At the Grand Peterborough Theater, the Music College's anniversary was in full swing in the grand auditorium.

On the stage sat a grand piano that was once played by the legendary Louis II and was now a gift from Harvey to his beloved. Everyone was buzzing with anticipation for Eloise's performance.

The crowd was a familiar one. Riley, Veronica, Gunner, and Max were all there. After Max's company received a hefty investment from Harvey, fortunes had turned, and Max, ever the career man, had come to terms with the past. He had brought Jeffrey along to watch Eloise play.

Not far away sat Ravenna, unable to resist stealing glances at Max. No matter how low she stooped, her heart always yearned for him. Max paid her no mind, and Ravenna's face twisted into a spiteful sneer. She knew that no matter how much Harvey admired Eloise, it would all be over after tonight's performance Ravenna would have everything.

The lights dimmed, and a figure in white took a seat at the piano. Applause thundered through the hall.

Ravenna couldn't help but smile, knowing that the pristine white gown would soon be tainted with blood... and no one would suspect her.

The piano began to play, not the piece Eloise had planned, but "Moonlight Lover."

As the lights slowly rose, the crowd was stunned. It wasn't Eloise at the piano, but Harvey, resplendent in a white suit. His fingers danced elegantly over the keys under the crystal chandelier. No one knew Harvey's talent on the piano could be so captivating.

Ravenna paled. How could it be Harvey? She looked up to see the chandelier's support wire looking tense and quivering, about to snap. She tried to scream, but nothing came out.

Fear gripped her. If anything happened to Harvey, the Horigans would stop at nothing to uncover the truth, and Ravenna would be done for. She stood abruptly just as the chandelier began to sway.

Harvey could have easily moved, but he remained playing as if the music was his lover in the moonlight.

Then, the wire snapped.

The chandelier crashed down, eliciting screams from the audience. But the figure in white remained seated, and blood stained his forehead and suit. He never faltered, and continued to play Eloise's favorite tune, "Moonlight Lover."

Each note seemed to beckon Eloise home.

Amidst the chaos, the doors burst open, and a beam of light revealed Eloise. She rushed towards Harvey as tears streamed down her face. "Harvey..."

The world fell silent around them.

Eloise tried to reach him, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get close. She watched him, bloodied yet undeterred, playing their song.

Suddenly, the man in white began to fade, his presence growing translucent as if ready to vanish. He stopped playing and looked at her intently.

The music continued...

Eloise finally reached him. Harvey's nearly transparent hand caressed her cheek, his voice tender. "Why did you come?"

Tears flowed freely. "Harvey!"

It felt like a dream, but could dreams hurt this much?

"It doesn't hurt. The most important thing

quivering, finally looked up, showing him the ring on her finger.

him before

just twenty years old. She cried out in

all a dream? Would he come

...

"Harvey, no, don't!"

days, suddenly opened her eyes. Every move she made was a reminder

Pauline sobbed with relief. "Eloise, you're finally awake!" Eloise scanned the room but didn't see

Pauline's expression turned somber.

Eloise, insistent, asked again.

revealing the truth. "Harvey's gone to

The mountains?

at the world blanketed in snow. How

"I'll call him right now with the good news.

an eternity before

tears flowed. She had been so worried. "Eloise is awake,"

was silence, then a soft, hoarse voice mumbled,

again. Neither spoke as the memory of pain from the dream was still

her

up.

burst into tears. How could he describe it so nonchalantly? The pain was

Eloise, don't," he

front of others, but now she was

want to see

to see

snow had blocked the mountain roads, but also because his legs were frostbitten. He had been kneeling for most

couldn't walk a

experienced the heart-wrenching pain in

to wake up and

snow has stopped. I'll come over in

lay on her side;

a dream, but she remembered it so vividly. It wasn't

paid. It was possible he might never make it

phone, and with a whisper as light

feather, she said,

"I'll wait for you..."

had been a

his chin up slightly and