Tangled Temptations

Landon's wife was out of town, so naturally, he took the seat beside Eloise, with the two kids facing them.

Linda had seen him before. She was dining with such grace, all the while eyeing the handsome man... he had a soft spot for Mom.

Landon was quite fond of her. He ruffled Luca's hair and said to Eloise, "This boy's growing up strong."

Eloise smiled tenderly at Luca. "Yes. Harvey always says Luca's the spitting image of him as a lad."

Luca blushed ever so slightly, but his heart was brimming with joy.

Landon's gaze shifted as he lowered his voice. "What's the deal with Jacob and Ravenna? Were you playing matchmaker? I bet Ravenna's got her eyes set on the Velona estate."

Everyone knew Ravenna's reputation, and Landon was well aware. He suspected Eloise had a hand in it.

Eloise took her time finishing a slice of steak before speaking, "All I did was let slip a few details of Jacob's background in Ravenna's presence."

Landon chuckled. That confirmed it, Jacob must have crossed Eloise...

Landon's smile brought out faint lines around his eyes, which Eloise noticed with a sense of fleeting time. "And your wife? How come she didn't come along?"

He smiled, "Oh, she's abroad, taking a breather. Won't be back till next week." Eloise nodded, knowing some topics were better left untouched.

Fortunately, Landon only stayed a moment before returning to his seat. As he sat down, Jacob shot him an odd look.

Eloise left early because of her children, and she had another on the way. As she passed some statues, she merely nodded her head in passing.

Landon rose, "Let me walk you out."

Eloise accepted, aware that making a fuss in an upscale restaurant would be unseemly.

Once they were gone, Ravenna, clutching her wine glass, couldn't help but feel sour. "Blake, I can't believe after all these years, your brother's still hung up on Eloise. He's such a hopeless romantic."

Blake, ever so naive and straightforward, exclaimed, "Well, Eloise is beautiful."

Ravenna was irked, but she quickly composed herself. Her primary mission was to ensnare Jacob. She caressed his face and whispered seductively, "How about coming to my place tonight?"

Jacob wasn't buying it. He grabbed his coat, "No thanks. I have plans."

Ravenna was fuming.

As Jacob left, he saw Landon and Eloise chatting by a car. Her expression seemed soft, like with an old friend, but there was something more.

Jacob felt a pang of jealousy. She was all smiles with Landon, and so dismissive of him.

Fishing a cigarette from his pocket, he lit up and hopped into his Hummer with a slam of the door.

Landon didn't linger. Business and social circles did often overlap but he was a;; about avoiding Eloise.

Jacob's departure made Landon chuckle. In the winter night, he watched the Hummer drive away and murmured, "Reminds me of my younger days. Eloise, you still got it."

Eloise, with a hand in her pocket, smiled. "Stop it, Landon. I'll have a word with Harvey later."

He nodded, reaching to open the car door for her, but paused. His voice was soft, "Eloise, I'm sorry. My pursuit back then must have been a burden to you."

Eloise felt a twinge of nostalgia. What was wrong with liking someone?

But times had changed, and they both had families now. It was time to let go. She gave him a faint smile. "It's all water under the bridge."

She got into the car. As the sedan drove off, Landon stood there, lost in the past.

Years had passed, everyone thought he had moved on, but deep down, he

knew letting go wasn't that simple. was kind and beautiful, but

His wife

love wasn't determined by

appearances.

Their lives had reached a plateau. Each one was busy with life's demands. The

fiery passion of youth had become just a memory.

In the car, Eloise glimpsed at Landon's figure, shrinking in the rearview mirror, her heart heavy with emotion.

Linda, leaning against her, with big innocent eyes, chirped, "Daddy's more handsome than Uncle Landon."

Eloise chuckled softly. She kissed Linda's cheek and said gently, "Mommy only has eyes for Daddy."

Children were so easily reassured. Linda beamed with happiness. Then, blushing, she whispered to Luca, "You can't like anyone else either."

Luca was silent, understanding the gravity of her words. He didn't respond, but Linda interlocked her little finger with his, sealing the pact. From that moment on, Luca was hers!

Watching them, Eloise felt a lightness in her heart, though she knew she'd need to discuss with Harvey about not letting Linda take Luca to her room anymore.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Jacob. His tone was brusque. [Had a thing with Landon? You don't say, Ms. Laurent.]

Eloise found him petty. She deleted the message and blocked the number.

She wasn't afraid to offend Jacob. She held something he wanted... he had to play by her rules.

In his car, Jacob waited for a reply that never came. Frustrated, he dialed her number.

Blocked.

Jacob, resourceful as he was, called

Eloise's mansion. The butler

answered just as Harvey arrived

Holding the phone, the butler said awkwardly, "Sir, a Mr. Velona is on the line for madam."

Mr. Velona...noveldrama

Harvey slowly unbuttoned his trench coat and strolled over to answer the ringing phone. On the other end of the line, Jacob was taken aback to find Harvey at home and found himself at a loss for words. Seizing the initiative, Harvey filled the silence with a firm declaration, "Jacob, Eloise is my wife."

Jacob paused, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air. After a

heartbeat, he confessed, "But I have fallen for her."