Tangled Temptations novel 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?

“Don’t cry,” he comforted her. “It doesn’t hurt. The most important thing is we’ll be together again... trust me!”

Eloise, lips quivering, finally looked up, showing him the ring on her finger. “Harvey, I trust you!”

Harvey’s fading smile was the last she saw of him before he vanished on stage. The rose petals around them slowly rose.

“Harvey!” Eloise was just twenty years old. She cried out in anguish, collapsing to her knees.

Was it all a dream? Would he come back?

...

“Harvey, no, don’t!”

In Peterborough’s finest hospital, Eloise, who had been in a coma for seven days, suddenly opened her eyes. Every move she made was a reminder of her stiffness and pain.

Seeing her awake, Pauline sobbed with relief. “Eloise, you’re finally awake!”

Eloise scanned the room but didn’t see Harvey. “Mom… where’s Harvey?”

Pauline’s expression turned somber.

Eloise, insistent, asked again.

Pauline gently tucked Eloise in, revealing the truth. “Harvey’s gone to the mountains to see Master Lee.”

The mountains?

Eloise paused, then looked outside at the world blanketed in snow. How did he make it up there?

Concern filled Eloise’s eyes. Pauline wiped away her tears. “I’ll call him right now with the good news. Don’t worry, just focus on getting better.”