Forbidden Passion
Chapter 192 Our Relationship Is Filled with Affection, But We Always Maintain Proper Boundaries

Phoebe walked in, only to see Vanessa hurriedly pulling away from Theodore's embrace, her face still wet with tears. It was a pitiful sight.

She looked at the two expressionlessly, "It seems I have returned at an inopportune time and disturbed your intimate moment."

Theodore sat on the sofa, motionless as his gaze sharply pierced her, "What did you say?"

Phoebe sneered and headed towards the bedroom.

Vanessa bit her lip in distress, quickly blocked Phoebe's path, and began pleading in a pitiful tone, "Miss Ziegler, please don't misunderstand, Theodore and I aren't what you think."

"Oh," Phoebe looked at her coldly, "It seems you can read minds, Miss Fitzroy. You clearly must know what I'm thinking, so, tell me, what do you think I'm thinking?"

"Just..." Vanessa glanced at Theodore, but her look seemed to give more away than intended, "We weren't about to kiss. I was just too emotional, and Theodore was trying to comfort me. You interrupted us as soon as you came in." Her words seemed straightforward at first, but they didn't hold up to scrutiny. Essentially, she was implying that they would have kissed if Phoebe hadn't returned.

Phoebe laughed coldly, "I'm really sorry; I came back too soon. Why don't you two continue?"

"Phoebe, stop being sarcastic," Theodore frowned. He didn't like Phoebe's current expression; she looked as if she had caught them in the act. It made him uncomfortable.

"I'm being sarcastic?" Phoebe pointed at herself, a smile playing on her lips, "If you two are attracted to each other, you can just find a hotel outside and do whatever you want!" "Phoebe!" Theodore was furious, "You're going too far."

Vanessa's eyes reddened, and she silently shed tears, "Miss Ziegler, you really misunderstood us. Even though I still love Theodore in my heart and our relationship is filled with affection, we still maintain proper boundaries. It's not as dirty as you think."

Phoebe almost laughed out of anger. Vanessa's use of "our" was quite clever, automatically aligning herself with Theodore and excluding Phoebe.

"Vanessa, I doubt you care about boundaries. If I hadn't returned, what were you planning to do next?"

Vanessa glanced at Theodore, who was still sitting on the sofa.

He was sitting close by, but as long as she lowered her voice, he wouldn't be able to hear what she was saying.

So, she leaned into Phoebe's ear and whispered a few words, "Of course, we were going to..."

The rest of the sentence fell softly in Phoebe's ear, stinging her nerves.

Without thinking, she slapped Vanessa across the face.

With a "smack," the room fell silent.

Phoebe was shaking with anger. She glared at Vanessa, shouting, "Vanessa, you're so cheap!" Vanessa was stunned by the slap. Her cheek was burning and was visibly swelling at a rapid pace.

She covered her face, looking pitifully at Phoebe, "Why... why did you hit me?"

Before Phoebe could reply, Theodore, who had quickly walked over, pushed her.

She hit the wall with her back, the pain making her body curl up.

But no one paid her any attention. She had to swallow the groan that had reached her throat.

Theodore supported Vanessa, protecting her in front of him. He looked at the injury on her face and said, "I'll get you some ice."

Vanessa was crying; her tears were falling like rain, "Theodore, I should go. I shouldn't have come today; it made Miss Ziegler misunderstand us."

"We didn't do anything wrong; what is there to misunderstand?" Theodore's face was filled with anger. He looked at Phoebe and said coldly, "Phoebe, apologize!"

Phoebe had straightened up. She looked at Theodore coldly, defiance and resistance evident in her eyes, "Why should I apologize?"