Tangled Temptations

On New Year's Day, she received the stuffed bunny. Even though Eloise hadn't said so, Orlena had guessed that it was a gift from Brett.

A while ago, Mr. Brett had been to Rossland.

At night, she laid on her huge white bed, hugging the bunny. Her thoughts were filled with Brett.

She thought, receiving a gift always necessitates a thank you, and it's New Year, she should wish him a happy one.

Finally, she sent him a message on Facebook. Happy New Year, Brett!

It took him forever to reply, but when he did, he simply wished her a happy new year. Those four simple words brought tears to her eyes. She buried her face in the blankets and silently wept for her unspoken emotions.

If it were any other man in the world that she fancied, she'd boldly confess her feelings. She would have no problem telling anyone, "I like you!"

But this was Brett. And he was Eloise's uncle.

Orlena despised herself for being helplessly in love with him. From someone who would normally not watch news, she started deliberately watching TV and reading newspapers. Sometimes, when her father and brother talked about him, she'd secretly listen in.

But she knew, he was not hers to have.

Nighttime in Brockville.

Brett sat in his office, dressed in a fitted suit, staring at his phone.

Donny came in. "Mr. Brett, are you ready? Everyone outside is waiting for you to give them a pep talk!"

Brett didn't move.

Donny walked over, gently asked, "What's up, Mr. Brett?"

Brett pointed at his phone, chuckled, "She sent me a message!"

He thought, she must have received the gift and she must have liked it. It's a shame he couldn't hand it to her personally.

Brett put his phone in his pocket. When he stood up, his smile had completely disappeared, and he was once again the respectable Mr. Brett everyone admired.

Donny followed him, quietly sighing.

Outside was lively. After Brett gave his speech, he had dinner with his subordinates.

Late at night, he got drunk. Sitting in the backseat of the car, he constantly checked the message his niece had sent him, mumbling to Donny, "You have no idea how much I want to drop everything and take a month off. I wish I was a decade younger!"

Then perhaps he would have the courage to stand under the fireworks, watching her laugh, her face radiant.

Donny was startled. After getting out of the car, he helped Brett into the house. Tracey, concerned for her son, took care of him personally.

In his drunken stupor, Brett felt the person beside him was gentle, he grabbed her wrist and mumbled, "Orlena!"

Tracey didn't hear clearly, but it sounded like a girl's name. Right then, Tracey slapped her son's hand, annoyed, "Dreaming about your lady love after getting drunk, huh!"

Brett sobered up instantly. He remembered who he had dreamed about, and felt somewhat embarrassed. His face blushed slightly.

Tracey teased, "Dreaming about her doesn't count! Marrying her and bringing her into the Noland family, now that would be something!"

Brett sat up and lit a cigarette. He silently smoked half a cigarette before laughing softly, "Mom, it's nothing." After that, he put out the cigarette and went to the bathroom.

Tracey muttered to herself, trying to remember the name her son had muttered earlier.

In the bathroom, Brett leaned against the wall while showering. The warm water poured down from his head to his feet. Everything was blurry, but he clearly knew he had fallen for her. For the past six months, she had been giving him the silent treatment and he had been keeping celibacy. Even the most beautiful and tactful woman wouldn't interest him.

Knowing that there was no future with her, he still foolishly remained celibate, afraid that she'd catch him with another woman and get upset. If she frowned, he'd worry about it for a long time.

Brett laughed helplessly.

They didn't keep in touch; even when he had to travel to Peterborough for work, they only saw each other from a distance.

The turning point came when Eloise's house exploded.

That morning, he was in a meeting when Eloise called, crying, "Uncle, help me!" He rushed to Peterborough.

Eloise was already in the hospital, covered in blood, fighting to give birth. He would never forget standing outside the delivery room, his heart almost stopping. He had already lost his sister; he couldn't lose Eloise.

His eyes red, Brett asked, "Where's Harvey?"

The Horigan family were all there. Pauline was crying, Parker shook his head helplessly, and finally, Orlena quietly said, "He's in Britain, fighting a lawsuit for Joan!"

Brett exploded, "Fucking bastard!"

Orlena's voice trembled, and she called out to Brett, stopping him from saying anything more offensive.

He went into the delivery room to see Eloise. About 10 minutes later, he came out.

The baby wasn't doing well. They could choose to give up, but Eloise was determined to give birth, even if it meant breaking two of her ribs.

The hallway outside the delivery room was quiet. Brett leaned against the wall, his head slightly tilted back, his eyes warm, as if something was about to fall. The waiting was long.noveldrama

Eloise was in labor for 16 hours. It was midnight by the time she gave birth to a fragile baby girl, Linda.

Linda's condition was critical due to being premature, and she was immediately taken to the ICU before her family even had a chance to see her.

The doctor came out to update them on the situation, gently preparing them for the worst and advising them to take care of the new mother's emotions. The tears in Brett's eyes finally fell.

This was the first time Orlena had seen him cry. In her memory, he was always strong, nothing could ever bring him down.

Late at night, he didn't sleep, smoking outside instead.

In the morning, Brett walked into the hospital room. Pauline had gone to the service desk, and Orlena was sleeping on Eloise's bedside.

Brett gently patted her shoulder. She woke up immediately, her eyes red. She opened them and sleepily called out, "Brett."

"Do you still remember my name?"

His voice was hoarse, and he said something that didn't make sense, but Orlena was beyond caring about her own emotions at this point. All that mattered was that Eloise and Linda would be okay.

She let Brett talk to Eloise, and ran to the entrance of the ICU, staring through the glass door but seeing nothing. She leaned against the door, silently shedding tears.

Linda, you must be okay!

She didn't know if her brother and sister-in-law would make it, but she wanted Linda to live. Linda was so small, so adorable.

Brett stood quietly not far away. He heard the little girl saying all the silly things.

Donny gently said, "You should eat something, Mr. Brett. You can't go on without food and water for so long."

Brett turned around and quietly said, "Get her a breakfast sandwich."