Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 398

Eloise had agreed to collaborate with Ravenna, but she had no desire for any more contact than necessary. After a brief exchange, Eloise dismissed her with little ceremony. Ravenna left feeling discontented, her mind churning as she sat in her convertible, the engine murmuring softly. Even if she could marry into the prestigious Velona family, something was missing - a child. But she couldn't have children anymore; the possibility of giving birth to Jacob's offspring was nonexistent. Therefore, a child of her own bloodline became paramount.

Lost in thought, Ravenna remembered the daughter she had abandoned years ago. Yes, she decided, she would bring her back. The red sports car sped away.

Upstairs in the cozy little sitting room, Eloise stood by the window, watching quietly. Her face revealed no emotion. She didn't hate Ravenna; it was more like revulsion. She could plot against her without any feeling, just as Ravenna had once done to her. Only this time, it was Eloise who orchestrated the scheme, with Ravenna as a mere pawn.

...

Ravenna drove to an orphanage and was greeted by the matron upon arrival. In the modest, cramped office, the matron poured her a glass of water and asked with some difficulty, "Ms. Ravenna, are you here to see one of the children today?"

Ravenna replied urgently, "I want to take my child with me."

The matron remained silent.

Unfazed, Ravenna continued, "I've changed my mind. I want to give her the life she deserves. I'll treat her like a princess. Please, give her back to me, and I'll donate half a million to your institution. That should cover the children's meals for two years."

The matron's lips quivered slightly.

A sinking feeling hit Ravenna. "Where is my child?"

"She's been adopted."

"By whom? Bring her back immediately. She’s my child; how can you give her away?"

Eventually, the matron calmed down. She adjusted her thick glasses and spoke slowly, "When you, brought your child here, we really shouldn't have taken her in, but you insisted on leaving her. And as per the agreement we signed, if a suitable couple wished to adopt, we could let her join a new family."

She brought out the agreement.

Ravenna stared at the document. Yes, she had signed it. But so what? The child was hers, born after ten months in her womb. No one else had the right to her.

Ravenna tore the agreement to shreds. She sneered, "Two million. Give me back my child."

The matron watched silently as the document was ripped apart, then spoke softly, "It's too late. The couple who adopted her are from abroad. They left with the child six months ago. They're archaeologists. Right now, they could be in the ruins of South America or exploring the tombs of Ancient Egypt."

Ravenna slumped in her chair. When she looked up again, her eyes were bloodshot, her lips trembling. "I'll sue you."

The matron looked apologetic.

After Ravenna stormed out, the matron made a phone call. "Mrs. Horigan, I've done as you instructed... Yes, a person like Ms. Ravenna truly isn't fit to raise a child. Thank you for your donation of five million and for the new housing for the children."

On the other end, Eloise smiled faintly. "Don't worry about the lawsuit. Just take good care of the children."

Hanging up the phone, Eloise remained by the window. A maid brought her a cup of hot milk, whispering, "Sir called to say you should have some milk and rest a bit."

Eloise smiled lightly. "He treats me like a child."

She was independent and took good care of herself. But no matter how busy Harvey was, he always found time to call home several times a day, fussing over her. It might have seemed trivial, but to Eloise, it was nothing but sweet.

...

No amount of effort or connections helped Ravenna find her child. She was devastated. That evening, she went to Jacob's apartment. He answered the door. His hair was still damp from the shower, and a bathrobe was loosely tied around his waist. The scent of women's perfume lingered in the air.

Sure enough, a tall girl emerged from the bedroom, wrapped in a towel, clinging to Jacob's waist with a look of hostility in her eyes. "Jacob, who's this old lady?"

Ravenna's face soured. She was in her early thirties, hardly old.

Jacob slapped his companion's behind, not in reproach but in dismissal. "Go on, I'll call you next time."

The girl left with a laugh, confidently kissing Jacob goodbye.

Ravenna could usually keep her composure, but this was too much. She demanded, "Jacob, can't you survive a day without a woman?"

He lounged on the sofa, lighting a cigarette, and smirked at her. "I'd die without it. Ms. Ravenna, what do you see in me? I'm just a playboy with no inheritance. Give it up. The door's to your left."

Ravenna was furious. She had gone to great lengths to please Eloise and stooped low before Veronica, all for him. She had even sought to retrieve her abandoned child for him. For whose sake was she doing all this?

She wanted to lash out, but her anger had no effect on Jacob. He liked his freedom and wasn't one to be controlled by women. So she swallowed her pride and asked, "How long will you keep playing around?"

Jacob's grip on her arm was gentle yet firm. Ravenna found herself pulled onto his lap. The lit cigarette hovered dangerously close to her cheek, threatening to burn her. But she felt a thrill instead of fear. She had been with many men, but none stirred her like Jacob. They were meant for each other.

Ravenna, too, had her desires. She quickly took the initiative. Clothes fell to the floor. She embraced the young, attractive man, passionately kissed him, and murmured amidst the chaos of their intimacy, "Jacob, you're such a jerk."

His gaze on Ravenna in his arms carried a barely perceptible sneer, but the thrust did not cease.

Afterward, Ravenna caressed his face tenderly. "Jacob," she whispered. "I understand you're young and want to have fun."

He lit another cigarette, laughing sarcastically after a drag. "You're not thinking of marrying me, are you?"

"Why can't we?"

Ravenna looked up. "Let's get married. I'll give you the freedom you want."

Jacob pushed her away, his expression cooling as he adjusted the lapels of his bathrobe. "What if I told you I yearn for a marriage based on loyalty?” Something like what Harvey and Eloise had – a lifetime commitment. No succumbing to temptation. Holding both oneself and one's partner to a high standard. Not just settling.

Ravenna was clueless about such ideals. She assumed that a man like Jacob desired freedom within marriage. His words were little more than idle chatter to her, not to be taken seriously.

She broached a different subject. Jacob gave her a sidelong glance. "The stakes are high this time. Lots of folks are betting on Dwight, and the club's prepping me to take the lead spot."

In other words, betting on him was a sure win.

Ravenna was hesitant. "You sure it's a safe bet?"

Jacob exhaled a stream of smoke and chuckled softly, "If you're scared of losing money, don't gamble. That's the safest bet of all."

Ravenna felt snubbed.

Jacob nudged her with his foot. "Time to go. I don't let women stay the night."

Her pride was wounded, but she knew that in their current relationship, she had no right to stay. It didn't matter. Once she had Mr. Velona's favor, would the doors to the Velona family not swing wide open for her?