Tangled Temptations

In the cozy living room of a modest suburban home, the air was thick with emotions that words could scarcely convey.

Orlena's eyes brimmed with warmth as she watched her small family. The passion she once had for Brett, the resentment that followed, and the undeniable truth that she had been waiting for him all these years, waiting for him to fulfill the promise of a home, all swirled within her.

She was never one to hide her feelings. When she was happy, it showed in her beaming smile, and when she was sad, her face was an open book for the world to read.

Her son, Daniel, tugged at her hand and looked up at her with innocent eyes. "Mommy, why are you crying?"

Caught off guard, Orlena replied with a nasal voice, trying to maintain her composure. "Mommy's not crying, sweetheart."

Before Daniel could probe further, Brett swooped in, lifted their son with fatherly ease, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Daddy's taking our little man to preschool, bud!"

Daniel's cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and shyness.noveldrama

Brett then turned to Orlena, a teasing twinkle in his eye. "You've got tear-stained cheeks. Go freshen up and put on some makeup. A girl should always look her best when stepping out."

The term "girl" made Parker roll his eyes at Brett's shameless flirting; after all, Orlena was well into her thirties.

Pauline, touched by the gesture, quietly dabbed at her tears-although their home could easily accommodate separate rooms for Orlena and Daniel, nothing mattered more to her than their happiness. Now that Brett was finally ready to commit, her heart swelled with joy.

Pauline smiled warmly. "Come back after the school visit, and I'll whip up a few dishes for lunch."

Brett responded with the ease of a son thanking his mother, "Thank you."

Both Parker and Pauline couldn't have been more pleased. Orlena felt a little embarrassed by the attention and her reddening eyes. She glanced at Brett and muttered under her breath, "You're not too old to be embarrassed?"

His response was a light chuckle and a playful slap on her behind. "Hurry up and get ready."

With her parents present, Orlena held back any urge to make a scene and headed upstairs.

As Brett went to put Daniel in the car, the little boy clung to his neck, "Daddy, can I really start calling you daddy now?"

Brett kissed the tip of Daniel's nose and nodded affirmatively.

Daniel bore the unmistakable features of the Noland family, strikingly resembling his father. Holding his soft son, Brett felt as if he was living a dream, a joy that washed over him with the same intensity as the previous night's sex with Orlena.

...

Orlena quickly descended the stairs. Brett put down their son and opened the car door for her, gesturing for her to sit beside him. She felt a strange illusion as if Brett's gaze was especially tender.

"Fasten your seatbelt," he reminded her.

Orlena buckled up, avoiding his gaze.

Brett gently pressed the accelerator, driving his family to preschool. While Daniel bubbled with excitement, the adults were in a tumult of complex emotions. This felt like their first genuine family outing without the need to hide from prying eyes.

Orlena's heart was heavy with emotion. After driving for a while, Brett softly took her hand and asked in a low voice, "Tired? Did last night wear you out?"

From the backseat, Daniel's keen ears perked up. "Why would mommy be tired?"

Flustered, Orlena wished she could disappear. Brett glanced at her with a mischievous low chuckle.

Daniel, ever so innocently, added, "Linda says Auntie is always tired because Uncle Harvey teases her and makes her cry."

Orlena's face flamed with embarrassment.

With a hand on the steering wheel and with evident pleasure, Brett said, "Linda sure knows a lot, but that kid is a little rascal. Our son, well, he's got a bit of your naivety about these matters. That's where I, as a dad, need to step in and teach."

Basking in his advantage, Brett's smugness irked Orlena, who refused to engage any further in conversation.

The sleek black sports car glided smoothly, and within half an hour, they arrived at a prestigious private preschool.

As they parked, Brett stepped out and lifted Daniel from the backseat. The little boy clung to him, his face glowing. "Can I start preschool tomorrow?"

Brett responded with a smile, holding his son in one arm and naturally taking Orlena's hand with the other.

...

This preschool catered to the elite. Donny had connected them to the school. Even with Brett's status, they still needed to bring their child for an evaluation, as well as undergo a parent interview.

On the weekend, the school was quiet save for the headmistress and a few teachers.

Daniel was handed a test paper, while Brett and Orlena were ushered into the principal's office. The principal, a woman nearing her sixties, scrutinized the couple before her, then glanced at Daniel's information.

Father: Brett.

Mother: Orlena.

Both parents were listed as unmarried.

The principal eyed them and inquired, "Are you Mr. Brett from Brockville's aerospace industry?"

With a calm smile, Brett confirmed, "That's me."

The principal didn't engage further, instead reviewing several documents. After a thorough inspection, she tossed out an unexpected remark, "Why aren't you two married?"

Brett glanced at Orlena, sensing another emotional wave approaching. He gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder, reassuringly stating, "We'll have a wedding after the new year."

The principal sat back, saying nothing more.

Brett stood patiently by until Daniel came running up with his completed test, handing it to the principal, "Granny, I'm done!"

Brett wanted to correct the boy's formality, but the principal just chuckled warmly, hoisting the child onto her lap affectionately. "Then let Granny have a look and see how our precious one did."

Daniel blushed under such tender attention. His test was not exceptional, but he was well-behaved and attentive.

After the principal explained a few things, Daniel understood and gave her a soft, grateful hug. The principal's eyes were filled with gentleness as she hugged the small, rosy-cheeked boy back.

Brett looked at Orlena, who was visibly anxious. He quietly took her hand, whispering reassuringly, "Don't worry. Our son won't let us down."

Orlena didn't respond, but her eyes glistened.

The principal, still holding Daniel, spoke up, "Bring him over on Monday. He's a good kid."

She set Daniel down, and the little boy clung to Brett like a koala, eliciting a smile from the principal. "He really loves his daddy. You should spend more time with him."

Brett nodded in agreement.

As they stepped outside, Orlena patted her cheeks and let out a playful sigh. "And that's that, huh?"

"What more do you want?" Brett replied with a grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

Orlena remained silent, but her heart was far from quiet.

For the first time, she felt the full weight of parenthood settling on her shoulders. The thought of every little milestone in Daniel's life ahead made her heart swell - the first time he'd ride a bike, his first day at school, his first heartbreak... Brett would be right there with her, through every scraped knee and every triumph.