Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 138

Eloise was as pale as a ghost.

Harvey tried to touch her face. But Eloise instinctively stepped back. Finally, he dropped his hand, "You've just had surgery. Let me take care of you.”

……

Eloise listened in silence. She stared at him blankly, "Attorney Horigan, do I have to spell it out for you? I know you have a thing for me, but this kind of feeling is so fragile. Whenever Joan is in trouble, you rush to her aid without a second thought, no matter how I feel, whether I'm heartbroken or upset, or even on the operating table."

As she spoke, a sharp pain pierced her heart. But she managed to squeeze out a smile. "Attorney Horigan, I can't fall for a guy like you."

Harvey took a few steps towards her. He gently held her, tried to kiss her, hoping it might salvage something. At least, to remind her of their past love.

Eloise was stunned. In the midst of his heartfelt gesture, she stood rigid, her heart hurt to the point of numbness.

Summoning a strength from somewhere, she pushed him away. "Harvey, have some decency, will you? If you want a woman to sleep with, given your looks and status, you could have anyone you want. You don't need to pester me.”

Harvey’s gazes were unreadable, "Do you think I just want to sleep with you?"

Eloise's lips trembled as she sneered, "What else? Marriage?”

Harvey's breathing grew ragged. He clenched his fist, taking a long time before finally saying tiredly, “Eloise, I have no intention of getting married. It’s not that I’m messing with you, it’s just that marriage isn’t in the cards for me.”

Eloise lowered her head.

She chuckled softly, “Don’t worry, I have no plans to barge into your life.”

She finished speaking and tried to close the door. But Harvey stopped her. His brows furrowed, “In my heart, you mean more to me than Joan.”

Eloise looked up, staring at him in shock and fury. She laughed as if she’d heard the joke of the century, repeating, “I mean more to you than Joan?”

Harvey's face grew serious.

Eloise's laughter faded, “Harvey. You claim I mean more to you than Joan, so I, the more important person, am asking you to drop your partnership with her.”

She asked mockingly, “Can you do it?”

Harvey frowned. He was a man who kept work and personal matters separate. He wouldn’t tolerate a woman meddling in his work.

He looked at her, “Can we negotiate another demand?”

Eloise bent down, picked up the supplements he brought and threw them out the door.

“I have another demand. Stay away from me. Harvey, never show up in front of me again, we're finished.”

……

Eloise closed the door. She leaned against it, as if she could still smell the tobacco scent from Harvey.

Once, she loved to nestle in his arms. She loved to press against his neck, feeling his breath through his skin, the mix of tobacco and his masculine scent deeply intoxicating her.

But now, she just wanted to get away from him.

Veronica returned quickly, her face darkened. It seemed she had had a quarrel with Harvey downstairs.

Eloise regained her composure. She said, “Don’t pick a fight with him on my account, Gunner and the Horigan family always have some business dealings.”

Veronica put on a brave face. But in reality, she was suffering.

Eloise slowly opened the food box and softly said, “Don’t worry, I’ll bounce back.”