Tangled Temptations

Parker had just left.

Jeffrey's mother, escorted by a few members of the Velona family, stumbled over. One of them was Olga. She was Max's sister.

"How's Jeffrey doing?" Aliza clutched Harvey's arm tightly, visibly shaken.

Even though Harvey was distraught, he still patiently comforted her, "He's not in any life-threatening danger, but it's going to be a long recovery... I'll find the best plastic surgeon."

Plastic surgeon... Aliza's legs went weak.

Right then, a doctor approached to explain Jeffrey's condition. Thankfully, he was conscious, and the Velonas immediately went over to see him.

Across the corridor, Harvey could still hear Aliza's piercing cries. She must have been unable to accept her son's disfigurement.

Harvey felt terrible inside. Pauline gently patted his shoulder, softly saying, "Harvey, go take care of your wounds. I'll stay here with Eloise. If she wakes up and sees you like this, she'll be scared."

Leaning against the wall, Harvey ruffled his hair, his mind in chaos. "Mom, I'm not in the mood."

Although Pauline was concerned, she ultimately didn't say anything more and stayed outside the emergency room with Harvey.

Time dragged on.

One hour went by.

Two hours...

After four hours, the emergency room doors swung open, and the doctor removed his mask.

"How's my wife?" Harvey rushed forward.

The doctor paused for a few seconds before speaking softly, "Mr. Horigan, upon examination, Mrs. Horigan hasn't suffered severe external injuries, but she has sustained a moderate concussion from the debris impact. Normally, she should have woken up by now, but strangely, there's no sign of her regaining consciousness. Moreover, her bodily functions are in a hibernative state, sort of like she's in power-saving mode."

Harvey froze slightly.

The doctor sighed, "Mrs. Horigan is pregnant, and if she doesn't wake up within a week, I'm afraid it could be detrimental to the baby."

"Isn't there any way to wake her up?"

"We'll see tomorrow morning."

...

The doctor re-entered the emergency room.

Harvey leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling all his strength drain away. Pauline supported him; her voice trembled as tears rolled down her face, "Harvey, you have to hold on. Eloise will wake up."

Harvey tilted his head back slightly.

He whispered, "Mom, I should have been nicer to her."

Maybe Eloise was just tired. If he had treated her better, would she not bear to sleep and wake up right away?

...

Eloise was moved to a hospital room.

She lay there in a blue and white hospital gown, silent, with the slight bulge of her belly visible beneath a thin blanket. Her face was a bit pale, with a few abrasions on her cheek.

Harvey refused a blood transfusion, got his wounds treated, changed clothes, and stayed by her bedside. He held Eloise's cold hand, staring intensely at her face.

Pauline watched him, her soul seemingly lost, and couldn't help but wipe away tears.

Harvey murmured, "Mom, go check on the Velonas and see if they need any help."

Pauline nodded. Their family owed the Velonas a great debt of gratitude; they couldn't just stand by.

She left, and the room fell silent. Only Harvey and Eloise remained. A tear fell on the back of Eloise's hand. vas Harvey's tear.

"Eloise, I regret it so much, I shouldn't have let you go to the premiere."

"I know I shouldn't have kept you locked up, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd have rather kept you at home all the time..."

Hot tears splashed on Eloise's hand but she remained unresponsive. Just as the doctor had said, she was in hibernation, unable to hear his calls or his confessions. Even though the love she had longed for all her life was right beside her, she couldn't embrace it.

The night grew deeper.

Harvey looked out at the heavy snow, speaking softly, "It's snowing hard outside. Everything's covered in white, and the kids must be thrilled at home. If you wake up, I'll take you home, and you can hold a hot mug of milk and watch the children making snowmen outside."

As he spoke, he gently caressed Eloise's face. Her skin was slightly cold.

Harvey's eyes swelled with sorrow. He was in so much pain that he couldn't help but bury his face in her neck. His voice was even more restrained. "Eloise, the doctor said you might wake up in the morning, but I can't wait for even a second." He was scared, terrified of the unforeseen. He dared not close his eyes for a moment, afraid of missing the instant she awoke. But from night until dawn, with the world outside blanketed in silvery white, Eloise still hadn't woken up. Her body temperature seemed even lower.

Dawn broke.

Parker, who had been busy all night, hurried back to the hospital. He was covered in frost, taking care to hang his coat outside before entering quietly. "Has she not woken up yet?"

Harvey nodded.

Parker silently handed over breakfast, saying softly, "I've sent your mom to look after the kids. They don't know yet."

Harvey's gaze was still fixed on Eloise.

Parker clapped his son's shoulder. "You've lost so much blood and been up all night. Eat something so you can take care of your wife. Listen to me, just this once."

Harvey nodded. He ate quickly and then sat back by Eloise's bedside. He talked to her about the kids, hoping to rouse her.

Parker watched his son's frantic state, knowing this wasn't right, but he couldn't persuade his son otherwise. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't be calm either.

The doctor came to check and couldn't help but shake his head.

Harvey stood up, his tone calm. "What happens if she never wakes up?" Faced with such a devoted family member, the doctor seemed heartbroken, speaking softly, "The most immediate concern is for the baby, but if this persists for a long time, it could have significant effects on Mrs. Horigan's health." Everything was uncertain; it depended on Eloise's will.

The doctor quietly left.

The hospital room fell back into a deadly silence, broken only by the sound of snowflakes falling outside the window.

Parker stood by the window. He, too, felt grief, having grown to love Eloise like his own daughter, Orlena. Thinking about what might happen in the future, he couldn't help but shed tears.

At that moment, a voice broke the silence from behind. "Heard Master Lee call me hot-headed and my bond with family is thin. Dad, is it because of me that Eloise keeps getting hurt?"

Parker's eyes reddened, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Nonsense. You both are fine. Harvey, don't you ever think that way."

Harvey's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He watched over Eloise's sleeping face, gently brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. They had only just fallen in love; how could she bear to ignore him like this? "Eloise, how long will you sleep?" Time had never felt so agonizingly slow. Each second seemed like a punishment to him.

His nerves were on the edge of collapse, and at this moment, no one could help him, not his parents, not Orlena, and not even Brett.

They couldn't because he was Eloise's husband, the father of her child.

In just three days, Harvey had lost over ten pounds. His cheeks hollowed, and his appearance was heartbreakingly gaunt.

The children couldn't be kept in the dark forever. Orlena brought them to see their mother.

Pushing open the door, they saw their mother lying there so peacefully. Linda's tears welled up, falling in large drops, but she didn't make a sound. Instead, she ran to her mother's bedside and gently rested her small head against her belly. She was close to her mother, close to the baby.

Luca touched Eloise's hand gently, his eyes also brimming with tears.

Darrien, not understanding the situation, babbled for his mother.

Harvey picked him up, cradling him against his face, overwhelmed by grief. "Eloise, the kids are here. They've come to see you; they miss you so much. If you can feel even a little bit, please wake up, stop torturing me..."

He was truly afraid of losing the child. He was scared that when Eloise woke up, she'd be heartbroken to find the baby gone.

He had called in the best experts from around the world. Family members took turns at her side, calling out to her countless times, but Eloise remained still unresponsive.

Six days passed. At ten o'clock at night, after a consultation with top authorities, a

doctor pulled Harvey aside for a private talk.

The hallway was cold, but Harvey only wore a white shirt and slacks.

The doctor tried to control his emotions, speaking softly, "It's been six days. According to our examinations, your unborn child's heart rate is dropping. If she doesn't wake up in two more days, not only is the child's life at risk, but it will also pose a serious threat to Mrs. Horigan's health. Our recommendation is... medical intervention."

Medical intervention?

Harvey squinted, gripping the doctor's collar tightly. "What are you saying?"

The doctor didn't reply and just looked at him silently. After a moment, Harvey let go. "Sorry."

The doctor said in a subdued voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. Horigan, please consider it."

Harvey didn't respond. He stood in the dark night. The cold wind was biting at his face, as he watched the snow fall outside.

It seemed that ever since Eloise had fallen unconscious, the snow had never stopped. Perhaps even the heavens were mourning their separation, or perhaps the separation from their child. Harvey knew how much Eloise loved the baby, and

he loved the little one inside her, too.

It had been six days, and she had not woken up. If she never woke up, what would he do?

"Eloise, what do you want me to do?"

Harvey lowered his head to light a cigarette, finding solace in the smoke filling his lungs. After finishing his cigarette, he returned to the room. His mother was there,

wiping Eloise's body.

Harvey's voice was rough. "Did the kids go back?"

Pauline nodded tearfully. "Orlena took them back."

Harvey took the warm towel from his mother's hands and carefully wiped Eloise, whispering, "Mom, I'm not a good husband. I've been powerless to help her." Pauline held back her tears. Harvey gently wiped Eloise's face, murmuring, "I may have forgotten our past, but I'm sure I love her. Mom, I need to go to the mountains to find Master Lee."

Pauline hesitated, considering the snow and the inaccessible mountain roads.

Harvey caressed Eloise's face. His voice was barely audible. "I used to not believe in spirits, but now I have no choice. If Master Lee can foresee the past and future, he must have a way to wake Eloise."

Even if it meant losing his fortune and cost him his life, he needed to do this.

Pauline, a devout woman, knew well what the price would be. She wept, "Harvey. Wait for your father..."

But Harvey squeezed her hand, softly saying, "Mom, you have Orlena. However,

my four children only have one mom, and I must make this journey no matter what."

He owed Eloise too much. No matter the path ahead, he had to go.

In the end, Pauline wiped her tears and agreed with Harvey. She tried not to cry because crying was a bad omen. She smiled as she watched her son leave. It was as if he were just going on a regular business trip, as if he would return in a

few days...

Harvey slowly donned his coat. As he left, he bent down to kiss Eloise, whispering

in her ear, "Wait for me. I will come back."

With that, he left resolutely.

In the deep night's heavy snowfall, his black car slowly drove away from the

hospital, while Pauline stood by the window, watching her son depart. She covered her lips, murmuring softly, "Harvey, come back safely."

The mountain roads were treacherous at night, especially in the snow. Harvey drove to the foot of the mountain and then stepped out of the car, trudging up the slope. The snow soaked his pants and seeped into his shoes. His feet were almost frozen in icy water. Nevertheless, he forgot the pain. Reaching the summit, all was white, heaven and earth were indistinguishable.

At the monastery, the lights were still bright.

The biting wind carried his voice; his face was purple with cold. "I seek an

audience with Master Lee."

A young monk stood inside, hands pressed together in prayer. "He says fate

cannot be changed. Please, Mr. Horigan, go back."

But Harvey wouldn't relent. He pleaded repeatedly, and the young monk

reluctantly went to report, but the answer was the same.

Harvey had come with determination. He knelt slowly in front of the ancient

temple, raising his voice. "I beg the master to save my wife and child. I am willing to pay any price."

Master Lee still refused to see him, but he remained kneeling, repeating his plea.

The snowfall grew heavier. The world seemed to blur into one, only Harvey's lonenoveldrama

figure remained kneeling in front of the temple, desperately begging.

In the monastery, the young monk whispered, "He's still there."

Master Lee sat cross-legged, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Karma... Bring him in,

please."

His young apprentice dashed away with the urgency of a hare.

Five minutes later, Harvey stumbled in, his face ashen, his gait unsteady.

No sooner had he entered than the master spoke softly, "It's not that there's no

way out. It's a matter of whether you're willing to bear the agony for your wife. Are you ready? Should you falter on this perilous path, not only might you fail to save

her, but you could also be doomed forever, never to return to the bright world around us."

Master Lee expected Harvey to ponder deeply, for life and death hung in the

balance. Yet, without a moment's hesitation, Harvey dropped to his knees. "I am willing to endure it for my wife."

Master Lee closed his eyes. "Your paths were never meant to cross. Entangled in

the mortal coil, neither willing to let go, ensnared cycle after cycle... So be it." Rising slowly, he approached Harvey.

His hands, wiry yet warm, gently rested upon Harvey's head as he whispered an

ancient incantation, "Take her place in suffering."

...

A blinding light flashed before Harvey's eyes. All his past, the wheel of life unfurled

before him...

In his first encounter with Eloise, their love blossomed in that small apartment.

The piano he gifted her... her tears as she begged him not to leave... Every moment played out before his eyes.

He reclaimed all his memories, yet found himself lost in the dreamscape of the

mortal world.

When the dust settled, he was surrounded by the songs of birds and the scent of blossoms, under the shelter of lush trees. Standing on the sycamore-lined avenue of Peterborough Music College, the golden sunlight dappled his skin. Ahead, a slender silhouette approached him. It was Eloise at twenty.