Tangled Temptations

Chapter 392

In the grand Horigan Manor, the scent of food had been wafting through the air since early morning. With her culinary magic, Pauline had lovingly prepared a table brimming with favorites.

Linda's beloved mac and cheese, Eloise's cherished chicken pot pie, the hearty steak and potatoes that Daniel and Orlena always craved, and Luca's favorite, spaghetti bolognese.

The men of the family weren't often spoiled like this.

Harvey sat at the large round dining table, his coat already off, revealing a pure wool grey sweater that hugged his frame. His hand rested casually on Eloise's shoulder as he feigned indignation, "Mom, you're playing favorites!"

Pauline took her seat, her gaze shifting warmly between her children and their partners. Her heart swelled with contentment as she gently chided her son, "You and Orlena were always well looked after as kids. Am I not allowed to cook a few dishes for the youngsters without you getting jealous? Is this the behavior Eloise must put up with all the time?"

Harvey, dishing out the food to his wife, chuckled, "Me? Give her a hard time? No way! She holds the key to my happiness in her hands! I have to treat her well. If you don't believe me, Mom, just ask Eloise how well I wait on her!"

His words grew more teasing, causing Eloise to blush as she served him a slice of roast beef. Noticing her embarrassment, Harvey stopped teasing and simply smiled.

During the meal, Brett brought up the topic of his proposal.

Parker, bursting with pride, gestured grandly. "Let's discuss this matter after dinner in the study, gentlemen. It's serious business and deserves our full attention!"

Though Orlena already had a child, she blushed at the mention of marriage. She silently continued with her meal until Brett served her, whispering, "Aren't these your favorites? Why are you just having rice and no sides?"

Linda's voice, clear and high-pitched, chimed in, "Auntie's shy because she's marrying you, Uncle!"

Then, with a loud declaration, she added, "Auntie's cheeks are red!"

...

The atmosphere was charged with a delicate mix of emotions. Eloise offered an apologetic smile.

Harvey lifted Linda onto his lap, playfully patting her bottom. "Everything's perfect about you, except for that little mouth that never stops!"

from there. Harvey, who usually emphasized

curious about this

time for their afternoon rest, and Harvey took the opportunity to put the children down for a nap, giving

days. She was also very conscious of her figure, so after meals, she would do some light exercises in the bedroom to stay

room to find the heating

pregnant, let alone that she

his arms around her from behind and buried his nose in

her exercises and leaned into him, softly asking, "Why did you

belly, he deflected, "In a few more months, we'll have another little

with him. In a hushed tone, she

usually indulged the children, but she rarely fed Linda herself anymore. The little girl was already in kindergarten and needed to

Harvey understood her concerns.

into her ear, he said, "Eloise, haven't you noticed? Linda has never been jealous of Darrien. She treats him like a little toy. But what's growing inside you is different, another little girl like Linda. Have you

new, delicate being, smaller than herself. Jealousy was a natural feeling among

his children, he would unhesitatingly say Linda. Linda was the child Eloise had fought so hard to bring into the world, enduring two

there was often a favorite. For Harvey, Linda was

she gently stroked her belly and softly said, "Harvey, you're good at raising kids. Teach this

hummed affectionately

arms around her, and they sat down together. He smiled gently and teased, "Mom's still around, and here

he playfully tickled her

blushed but stood her ground, "It's different with Mom and Dad. As older

before he leaned in to kiss her softly, murmuring, "Eloise, thank you for being so good to

was embarrassingly direct. Eloise, unaccustomed to such sentiment, pretended to brush it off. "Daniel is my uncle's

but even if he weren't, you'd

it was a case of loving the house and its crow. Harvey felt that having this affection was enough for a

talked, there was a knock at the door. It

went to open it. Brett was dressed in

"Brett, are you heading