Forbidden Passion
Chapter 30 The Wise Lady Reynolds

Because sometimes reality speaks louder than words.

Vanessa stood up. "Miss Ziegler, rest up. I'm looking forward to your comeback."

"Hey, have you no shame?" Mrs. Ziegler burst in, pointing accusingly at Vanessa.

She'd been fuming outside, eavesdropping. Were mistresses so brazen these days?

Vanessa remained cool and collected. "Auntie, it was your daughter who stole someone's love. It's pretty clear who lacks shame."

Phoebe looked at her coldly. "My memory might be failing, but wasn't it Miss Fitzroy who left Theodore first? There's no basis for your accusation."

She refused to carry that burden!

Mrs. Ziegler, bolstered by her daughter's words, retorted, "Yeah, you left Theodore. Can't he marry someone else?"

Hearing their united front, Vanessa left, her face turning a furious shade of blue.

Mrs. Ziegler was visibly upset. "What in the world? I knew there was something off about that woman. Phoebe, you can't let her get to you. You are rightfully Theodore's wife now." Phoebe massaged her temples, weary. "I'm tired. Please, just go home."

Mrs. Ziegler caught the exhausted look in Phoebe's eyes and held back further words, but deep down, she harbored a seething resentment toward Vanessa. She had always known Vanessa's return spelled trouble. And Phoebe's lackluster response? Surely, she wasn't considering a divorce from Theodore to rekindle an old flame with Edward?

Good Lord, she needed to have a talk with Edward.

*

After two more days in the hospital, Phoebe had visits from Mrs. Reynolds with Madison and Christopher twice, and Theodore's father Brandon stopped by once. Theodore was the only one who hadn't shown up. Mrs. Reynolds mentioned he was on a business trip.

Yet Carol hinted on Messenger that Theodore was in Kedora the whole time.

Phoebe knew the truth. He didn't want to see her. Fine by her.

She didn't want to see him either.

The internal injuries Phoebe had suffered, that caused her to cough up blood, were mostly healed after her two-day hospital stay. She insisted on being discharged to return home.

Unable to persuade Phoebe otherwise, Mrs. Ziegler had begrudgingly proceeded with the discharge paperwork.

No sooner had she left than Edward arrived.

Phoebe watched as he entered her room. His facial bruises had faded, but his expression bore marks of weariness. He stood by her bedside and asked softly, "Phoebe, how are you holding up?"

During the two days Phoebe had been unconscious, Edward had remained by her side. Somehow the Vanderbilts had caught wind of his fight with Theodore, and the fact that he was keeping a vigil for Phoebe, prompting his elder brother to bring him home.

He had been confined until today when his brother finally released him. He raced to the hospital straight away.

Phoebe nodded slightly. "I'm much better, thank you. Don't worry about that day... I just don't want any animosity between our families because of me."

A flash of pain crossed Edward's eyes. "Do you think that makes me feel any better? Phoebe, you're being too cruel."

Phoebe bowed her head, "I wronged you three years ago. It's fine to resent or hate me; just stop being kind to me."

She no longer deserved his kindness.

Edward's emotions surged as he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Phoebe's waist. "I don't hate you, nor do I resent you. Phoebe, I love you!" "Edward, let go of me," Phoebe struggled, trying to break free of his hold.

"I won't let go!" Edward tightened his embrace and said, "Phoebe, Vanessa is back. Divorce Theodore and let's reset everything back to where it should be." "Hah!" A cold chuckle suddenly came from the doorway of the hospital room. "Looks like I've come at a bad time, interrupting your little moment."