Forbidden Passion
Chapter 204 Make Him Leave

Mrs. Reynolds was taken aback; she never expected that Phoebe would one day suggest divorce. She set the glass down and held Phoebe's hand earnestly. "Phoebe, marriage is serious. You can't just throw around the idea of a divorce." Mrs. Reynolds thought Phoebe wanted a divorce because of a jealous fit over Theodore and Vanessa going to see the lotuses, leading to a huge argument between the couple the night before. Theodore, stubborn as he was, never had much talent for soothing anyone.

When things got heated, he simply let his actions speak, thinking he could keep Phoebe in check that way. But it had clearly backfired.

"I'm not speaking of divorce lightly; I..." Phoebe's voice trailed off as a chilling male voice cut through the air.

"Seems I didn't make my point clearly enough last night. You haven't learned your lesson."

Phoebe's head snapped up, and she saw Theodore, like an imposing sentinel, standing by the door with a cold and forbidding gaze. His eyes were menacing and cold, making her shiver just by meeting his gaze.

She had just learned a harsh lesson last night, and the very sight of him made her feel like she had just had an encounter with a ghost, sending chills of fear down her spine. "Mom, I don't want to see him. Please make him leave..." Mrs. Reynolds saw Phoebe's face drain of color and turned to glare at Theodore; her voice was cold and biting as she yelled, "Theodore, get out! Don't scare Phoebe!"

Theodore's lips were tightly pressed into a thin line. Phoebe had suddenly developed a fever in the middle of the night, and no matter how he tried, he couldn't wake her.

They had to call their family doctor, who concluded that she had fainted due to exhaustion.

He had been worried all night, and when she finally woke, his heart had settled at last, only to be shattered by her demand for a divorce.

His face was ashen with anger; he was moments away from confronting her, demanding she take back everything she just said.

Theodore stood his ground until Mrs. Reynolds pointed an accusing finger at him. "Do I need to come over there and make you leave myself?!"

Gritting his teeth, with a face full of resentment and fury, he nonetheless turned and walked out.

He realized that Phoebe looked terribly frail. She seemed so fragile, as if she might break at the slightest touch.

Once Theodore was ejected by Mrs. Reynolds, Phoebe began to unwind slowly.

She hugged her knees, burying her face in them - a posture screaming insecurity.

Hesitating for a moment, Mrs. Reynolds placed her hand gently on Phoebe's back, patting her softly, "Phoebe, you can tell me anything that's bothering you. I've got your back." Phoebe bit her lip, shaking her head slightly.

Pheobe knew Mrs. Reynolds couldn't help her. Theodore wouldn't let her go, no one could help her.

Mrs. Reynolds could sense the helplessness and pain emanating from her and continued to gently pat Phoebe's back, "Phoebe, aside from divorce, I can help with anything else." Divorce...

Given Theodore's menacing demeanor earlier, it seemed like him agreeing to a divorce was nothing but impossible. So, the next best thing was to give them both some space to cool down. Phoebe covered her burning eyes, "Mom, I need to be alone for a bit."

Mrs. Reynolds exhaled silently, "Alright, I'll have Lucy bring up some food for you. Try to eat a little, don't starve yourself."

"Okay."

Mrs. Reynolds stood and walked out, shutting the door behind her, only to find her son leaning against the wall.

He had an impatient look on his face and a cigarette hanging from his lips.

She approached, plucked the cigarette from his mouth, and crushed it underfoot, leaving only a stub among the dispersing smoke.

"What are you thinking, Theodore?" If Phoebe hadn't spoken up about a divorce, she would have been oblivious to the depth of their troubles.

Theodore shoved his hands in his pockets, staring fixedly at the closed bedroom door, "Did she tell you anything else? Is she insisting on a divorce?"

Mrs. Reynolds couldn't help but chuckle at his attitude, "If you talk like that, how can she even stand up to you? Theodore, you're supposed to cherish your wife, not bully her."