Tangled Temptations

Chapter 391

In the cozy living room of a modest suburban home, the air was thick with emotions that words could scarcely convey.

Orlena's eyes brimmed with warmth as she watched her small family. The passion she once had for Brett, the resentment that followed, and the undeniable truth that she had been waiting for him all these years, waiting for him to fulfill the promise of a home, all swirled within her.

She was never one to hide her feelings. When she was happy, it showed in her beaming smile, and when she was sad, her face was an open book for the world to read.

Her son, Daniel, tugged at her hand and looked up at her with innocent eyes. "Mommy, why are you crying?"

Caught off guard, Orlena replied with a nasal voice, trying to maintain her composure. "Mommy's not crying, sweetheart."

Before Daniel could probe further, Brett swooped in, lifted their son with fatherly ease, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Daddy's taking our little man to preschool, bud!"

Daniel's cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and shyness.

Brett then turned to Orlena, a teasing twinkle in his eye. "You've got tear-stained cheeks. Go freshen up and put on some makeup. A girl should always look her best when stepping out."

The term "girl" made Parker roll his eyes at Brett's shameless flirting; after all, Orlena was well into her thirties.

Pauline, touched by the gesture, quietly dabbed at her tears-although their home could easily accommodate separate rooms for Orlena and Daniel, nothing mattered more to her than their happiness. Now that Brett was finally ready to commit, her heart swelled with joy.

Pauline smiled warmly. "Come back after the school visit, and I'll whip up a few dishes for lunch."

Brett responded with the ease of a son thanking his mother, "Thank you."

Both Parker and Pauline couldn't have been more pleased. Orlena felt a little embarrassed by the attention and her reddening eyes. She glanced at Brett and muttered under her breath, "You're not too old to be embarrassed?"

His response was a light chuckle and a playful slap on her behind. "Hurry up and get ready."

With her parents present, Orlena held back any urge to make a scene and headed upstairs.

put Daniel in the car, the little boy clung to his neck, "Daddy, can I really start calling

the tip of

the Noland family, strikingly resembling his father. Holding his soft son, Brett felt as if he was living a dream, a joy that washed over

...

and opened the car door for her, gesturing for her

seatbelt," he

up, avoiding

pressed the accelerator, driving his family to preschool. While Daniel bubbled with excitement, the adults were in a tumult of complex emotions. This felt like their first genuine family

her hand and asked in a low voice, "Tired? Did last night wear

backseat, Daniel's keen ears perked up. "Why would mommy be

she could disappear. Brett glanced at her

innocently, added, "Linda says Auntie is always tired because Uncle Harvey teases her and

flamed with

and with evident pleasure, Brett said, "Linda sure knows a lot, but that kid is a little rascal. Our son, well, he's got a bit of your naivety about these matters. That's where I, as

advantage, Brett's smugness irked Orlena, who refused to

black sports car glided smoothly, and within half an hour, they arrived at a prestigious

they parked, Brett stepped out and lifted Daniel from the backseat. The little boy clung to him, his face glowing. "Can I start preschool

a smile, holding his son in one arm and naturally taking Orlena's hand with

...

the elite. Donny had connected them to the school. Even with Brett's status, they still needed to bring their child for an evaluation,

was quiet save

the principal's office. The principal, a woman nearing her sixties, scrutinized the couple

Father: Brett.

Mother: Orlena.

were listed as

eyed them and inquired, "Are you Mr.

calm smile, Brett confirmed,