Forbidden Passion
Chapter 345 Meeting Without Recognition

Lawton told John, "You can visit tomorrow. Phoebe, rest and come back when you can."

Phoebe stared at the ICU door for another ten minutes before John convinced her to return to her room.

John helped her onto the bed, noticing the scabs on her face. "I'm getting some food. The doctor said you can eat now." "I don't want to," Phoebe replied, her voice hoarse.

John insisted, "Eat a little, or you won't have the strength to visit Mr. Reynolds tomorrow. I'll get it."

After John left, Phoebe lay still. A nurse came in to change her dressing, and Phoebe asked for help in the bathroom.

Her knees hurt as she stood, a reminder of last night's fall when Theodore pinned her down.

When Phoebe came out, John was back with food. He quickly set it on the table and helped her back to bed.

Phoebe felt a bit awkward. They were just colleagues, and she felt bad about relying on him so much.

John acted like it was no big deal, placing a pillow behind her. The nurse quietly left.

The room was quiet. Phoebe watched John and said, "Looks like I'll have to give you a raise when we get back."

John paused and glanced at her. "No need, Phoebe. My salary's already good."

He wasn't doing this for money; he just wanted a reason to take care of her. Once she recovered, he wouldn't have that reason anymore. Phoebe smiled. "Everyone likes promotions and raises, but you're the only one who declines."

John shook his head. "Phoebe, if you want to thank me, just get better soon. I prefer seeing you confident and strong."

Phoebe sighed.

John brought over the soup. Phoebe's hands were bandaged from cuts she got while trying to open the car door. The pain was worse now.

John looked at her bandaged hands and hesitated. "Should I feed you or get the nurse?"

Phoebe chose the nurse. Having John feed her felt too intimate.

John showed no emotion but felt a bit disappointed inside.

To hide his feelings, he pressed the call button for the nurse to feed Phoebe the soup.

After eating, Phoebe fell asleep again, this time more soundly. When she woke up, it was late at night.

Someone was dozing off in a chair by her bed.

The room was dimly lit, and Phoebe couldn't see clearly. Thinking it was John, she said, "John, I'm a bit thirsty."

The person didn't move. Phoebe called out again, and the person woke up, surprised.

As they leaned in, Phoebe recognized Donovan, who looked at her nervously.

"Phoebe, you're awake. What do you need? I'll get it for you," Donovan said.

Phoebe hadn't thought about Donovan much, lacking the energy to care. Seeing him now, she felt complicated.

However, Donovan was her brother. She had almost died, and there was nothing she couldn't forgive.

"What are you doing here?" Phoebe asked.

Donovan heard her hoarse voice and got up to pour her some water. He turned on the bedside lamp and helped her sit up.

"I heard about your car accident. Your assistant tried to keep it from me, but I figured it out. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known," Donovan replied, sounding proud. Phoebe took a sip of water and felt a bit better. "Did you see Theodore?"

"I did. The doctor wouldn't let me in; he's still under observation. He'll be fine once he's out of danger," Donovan said. "Don't worry, he won't die easily."

"Donovan!" Phoebe frowned. "The nurses take care of me here. You should go back. There's no need for you to stay and suffer."

"No way," Donovan said. He saw this as a chance to win her favor and get her to help him borrow five million dollars from Theodore.

He added, "I talked to Mom. She knows about the accident and is really worried. She told me to take good care of you. Phoebe, just focus on getting better. I'm here for you." Phoebe looked at him. If she hadn't heard his hurtful words before, she might have been touched.

"I really don't need you to stay. Go back. Staying here is just another person suffering," Phoebe said.

Observing her icy demeanor, Donovan became incensed. "Alright, I'll leave. I have no desire to linger in this hospital chamber. The scent of disinfectant is dreadful." With that, Donovan slammed the door and left.

Phoebe vaguely heard the nurse scolding outside. She put the cup on the bedside table and struggled to get up and go to the bathroom.

When she came out, she couldn't fall back asleep. She put on a piece of clothing.

In just two days, she had lost a lot of weight. The coat hung loosely on her shoulders. She didn't need to hold up an IV pole since she wasn't getting any fluids tonight.

She walked out of the room, sneaking into the elevator while the nurse was doing rounds.

As she walked quickly, the hospital gown rubbed against her injured knees, causing her to wince in pain. But no matter how much it hurt, it couldn't stop her from wanting to see Theodore. The second floor was quiet, the hallway lights casting an eerie glow.

Normally, she would have been scared, but thinking of Theodore in the ICU, she wasn't afraid.

Lawton had gone to rest, and there was no one outside the ICU. Phoebe walked over and paced at the door. She couldn't see anything, but just being there made her feel at ease. Leaning against the wall, she slowly calmed down, slid down, and whispered, "Theodore, can you hear me?"

Her voice was barely audible, yet she didn't mind. All she wanted was to release the secrets that had been weighing on her heart.

Whether Theodore could hear it or not didn't matter.

Phoebe said, "You always remembered Mia. We really had bad luck. Despite having such a deep connection, we met without recognizing each other."

The little boy from back then had grown into a tall, handsome man. Fate separated them and brought them back together.

She was grateful she had gone to that forest and saved Theodore.

Phoebe clasped her hands together and rested them on her forehead, whispering, "Theodore, I'm sorry. I might not be able to stay calm anymore."