Tangled Temptations

Chapter 152

Late at night.

Eloise brought Veronica back to the apartment. After a night full of arguments, they were both physically

exhausted, but sleep refused to come. Eloise made Veronica a cup of hot cocoa, wanting to offer scomfort

but not knowing where to start.

Veronica sat on the couch, cradling the hot cocoa in her hands, lost in thought. After a while, she lifted her head

and asked quietly, "Eloise, do you think I'm pathetic?"

Eloise shook her head, "Never." She'd always understood Veronica's grievances.

Veronica lowered her gaze, tears dropping into her cup one by one. She'd loved Gunner deeply, despite his cold

nature, she had truly loved him.

Voice trembling, Veronica said, "I want a cigarette, Eloise...I want a smoke."

Eloise took a pack of ladies’ cigarettes from Veronica's bag and handed it to her. Veronica lit one up, took a deep

drag before gathering the courage to continue. "Ravenna had an amniocentesis. She's carrying a boy. Gunner's

parents have already taken her in, and someone's looking after her every day. They even have sservants

calling her Madam."

Looking at Eloise, Veronica said, "Eloise, | want a divorce."

Eloise was supportive, but seeing the way Gunner was, she doubted he'd let go easily. Veronica gave a self-

deprecating chuckle. "You think Gunner would leave anything for me? No, he's just worried there might be

something wrong with Ravenna's baby. If he divorcedfor the baby and Ravenna couldn't give birth, wouldn't

that make Gunner a laughingstock?"

Eloise was stunned.

Veronica finished her cigarette, then said softly, "Eloise, I'm just worried about how this will affect you. | heard

from Riley that you're getting along well with Callum. But, Callum's mom isn't the easiest person to deal with."

Eloise gently patted her hand. "Veronica, we don't need to talk about this."

But Eloise was a little worried. Callum hadn't cover as promised tonight, which was probably related to Riley

and Veronica's situation. But even so, she wouldn't blVeronica. Veronica had done everything she could to

help her when she was in a tough spot.

That night, the two girls shared a bed. Both had a lot on their minds, neither slept well.

The next morning, Gunner showed up, standing outside the door, his eyes full of anger. "Is Veronica here?"

Eloise answered softly, then she let him in. She calmly got Gunner a glass of water and put it on the coffee table,

"I'll go get Veronica, you guys should talk."

Eloise looked very calm.

Gunner was surprised, hesitated a bit before asking, "How is she?"

Eloise smiled and replied, "Your parents have already taken Ravenna in, and you're still asking about Veronica?

Gunner, as many people who used to envy your marriage are now shocked."

Gunner rubbed his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed. He said, "I was just messing around, didn't Veronica

and Riley..."

Eloise didn't say anything more. She went into the bedroom and called for Veronica, "You guys talk, see what he

wants."

After a while, Veronica cout. The couple met, but it was nothing like before.

Perhaps last night's argument had been too intense, so today they both lacked the energy to fight. Veronica sat

across from Gunner, somewhat dazed, and said, "Let's get a divorce."

Gunner stared at her. After a while, he said, "Ravenna was taken in by my parents on their own. | didn't mean

that, Veronica, you're always my one and only. As long as you break it off with Riley, we can go back to how we

used to be."

Veronica stared out the window blankly. Her voice sounded hollow, "Did your parents also arrange for the baby?"

Gunner had no answer. In his heart, Veronica was indeed important, but so was a child to carry on the family

name. Now that Ravenna was carrying a child, she was considered a treasure by his parents, a position that no

one could shake.

Seeing his expression, Veronica suddenly laughed. She said, "Gunner, why did | ever choose you? Look at you

now, do you even look like a man? Lettell you, ever since I've been with Riley, | don't care about your 'one

and only' status anymore, give it to whoever you want."

Gunner thought about it and realized she was right. She'd already gone that far with Riley, his parents were

blaming him, begging wouldn't do any good. So he said, “You want a divorce, fine! But you're the one at fault,

you won't get anything after the divorce! Also, let's process the divorce in six months, so | can give the child a

proper status when Ravenna gives birth."

Veronica laughed in anger, she was the one at fault? But she didn't have the energy to argue, she just wanted to

end this marriage.

She nodded easily, which made Gunner feel uncomfortable. "Well...you can stay in the house for now."

"No need, I'm moving out today." Veronica's resolve was unexpected.

Gunner put a cigarette to his lips, forgetting to light it for a while. He suddenly felt a bit sad. He'd truly loved

Veronica once. Back then, when Eloise and the others were still young, Veronica was already like a white rose,

stunningly beautiful, he'd pursued her for a long tbefore winning her over.

Ravenna was different. From beginning to end, Ravenna was just someone he played with. For someone like her,

he and Veronica had cto the point of divorce.

Gunner suddenly couldn't look at Veronica. He couldn't accept that they'd cto this, couldn't accept that

Veronica hated him and had gone into Riley's arms.

Eloise spent two days helping Veronica house hunt. She wanted Veronica to stay with her, but Veronica insisted

they were both adults with their own lives to live. Eloise guessed that Riley might be planning to stay the night

at Veronica's. Veronica picked up on her thoughts and casually said, "Women have needs too, you know. Riley is

way more comforting than Gunner."

At this, Eloise blushed.

Veronica asked, purposely insinuating, "You and Callum... haven't..."

No! Eloise and Callum hadn't even kissed. She had no idea what went wrong between them. Their relationship

was purely Platonic.

Thinking of Callum reminded Eloise that he hadn't been in touch for the past two days. She had a hunch about

something.

Just then, her phone rang. It was an unknown number. Eloise stepped out to take

the call. On the other end was a mature, dignified woman.

"Ms. Laurent, | am Callum's mother. | would like to meet you."

Half an hour later.

Eloise walked into an upscale café. She spotted a very elegant woman sitting by

the window. She had a similar look to Callum.

Eloise approached her and sat down, offering a small smile, "You must be Callum's mother?"

Delilah Colman took off her sunglasses. She scrutinized Eloise from head to toe. Eloise, having been going

through a lot, managed to maintain her composure. After a moment, Delilah spoke coldly, "Ms. Laurent, you're

even prettier than | imagined! No wonder our Callum fell head over heels for you and has been pesteringto

meet you! Originally, | had sunderstanding of you as you're the stepdaughter of an old classmate. However,

| only recently learned how, shall we say, colorful your personal life is."

Eloise replied calmly, "Go on."

Delilah tilted her chin up arrogantly. "Callum's cousin Riley is seeing a rather loose woman, who | heard is still in

the throes of a divorce. The Colman family would never marry into such a situation! And I also heard that Ms.

Laurent is not only classmates but friends with this Veronica lady. What's more, Ms. Laurent has even had a past

with a certain gentleman from the Horigan family, is that correct? Ms. Laurent, I'm worried Callum might follow in

Riley's footsteps. So, if you want to be with Callum, firstly you need to cut ties with this Ms. Veronica. Secondly,

you need to keep your distance from the Horigan family's son. After all, rumors can be dreadful! Ideally, you

should go abroad for a while, let people forget about your past, and then | will consider your marriage with

Callum."

Having said her piece, she took a sip of her coffee elegantly. She believed that any smart girl would know the

right choice to make!

However, Eloise laughed lightly. "Thanks for your concern! But | can't do all that! Not only will I not cut ties with

Veronica, I'll continue to be friends with her. As for my past with Harvey, | don't think there's anything to be

ashamed of! If you're interested, Mrs. Colman, you should dig a bit deeper. | also had a four-year relationship

with the son-in-law of the Horigan family! How about that? Interesting enough? Loose enough for you?"

The color drained from Callum's mother's face. She pointed at Eloise, shaking with rage. Never before had

anyone dared to talk back to her like this!