Forbidden Passion
Chapter 357 The Illusion of Happiness

Suddenly, a few deliberate coughs broke the silence. Phoebe quickly pulled away from Theodore, turning to see Evelyn and Donovan at the door. The atmosphere got awkward fast.

Phoebe's face turned bright red. Getting caught kissing Theodore by her family made her feel shy.

Theodore stayed cool. "Mom, what brings you here?"

Evelyn looked a bit embarrassed, shooting a reproachful glance at Donovan for not knocking. She walked in with a fruit basket. "Theodore, I heard you woke up, so I came to see you." Actually, Evelyn had tried visiting earlier but got stopped by Vanessa, leading to a big argument.

Theodore stayed silent.

Donovan, annoyed by Evelyn's ingratiating manner, shoved the bouquet he was holding into Phoebe's arms.

He sat down and said, "I heard you protected Phoebe during the car accident. Thanks."

"No need," Theodore replied indifferently.

Donovan frowned. "Theodore, you look like you need a punch. Don't forget how you took Phoebe away from me."

"Donovan!" Phoebe interrupted, not wanting him to bring up the past.

Theodore wasn't a good person. If Donovan pushed him, he'd take it out on her.

Donovan glared at her. "Why are you restraining me? If he can do it, why can't I discuss it?" You're too soft-hearted, so he controls you."

Theodore said, "I paid back the five million dollars you embezzled in Starfall City. Also, I have a small company you can manage. Profit and loss are your responsibility, and it has nothing to do with the main company."

Donovan's expression changed instantly. "You should have said so earlier. Don't worry, I'll manage this small company well."

Evelyn's face lit up. They had come not just to visit Theodore but also to discuss Donovan's job.

Donovan's embezzlement in Starfall City had made it hard for him to find work in Kedora. Evelyn had no choice but to seek Theodore's help.

Before they could even ask, Theodore had already solved their problem, making Evelyn even more enthusiastic. "Theodore, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Donovan. By the way, does your wound hurt? Is there anything you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

Theodore stayed calm. "If you need anything, let me know. After all, Phoebe will thank me on your behalf." Phoebe was speechless.

Evelyn and Donovan didn't stay long. Theodore's strong presence made it hard to continue the conversation. Phoebe escorted them out. At the elevator, she said, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming today?"

"Would you have let us come if we did?" Donovan sneered. "I didn't expect Theodore to be so easygoing. Without saying anything, he gave me a company to run. If I had known, I wouldn't have suffered in Starfall City." Phoebe pursed her lips. "Donovan, I've told you before, don't take things from Theodore that don't belong to you."

"It's just a small company. He won't even care," Donovan said dismissively. "Phoebe, he's your husband. What's wrong with him doing something for me? Are you letting him sleep with you for free?"

Before Phoebe could respond, Evelyn lightly slapped Donovan on the back, more like dusting him off than hitting him.

"Watch your mouth," Evelyn said, turning to Phoebe. "Donovan's having a hard time finding a job. We had no choice but to ask Theodore for help."

Since it was already done, Phoebe didn't want to upset them. "Just this once!"

Donovan beamed. "Phoebe, trust me. I'll make this company bigger."

Phoebe was speechless. If anyone could boast, it was Donovan. The bigger his words, the harder he'd fall.

After seeing them off, Phoebe returned to the ward and saw Theodore resting with his eyes closed.

She walked over slowly, intending to pull the blanket up for him. As soon as she touched it, he grabbed her wrist.

Startled, she heard him say, "I helped Donovan a lot. How are you going to thank me?"

"You know Donovan bites off more than he can chew. Why give him a company to ruin?" Phoebe frowned.

Theodore stared at her. "I realized it's better to keep him under my watch. At least it's controllable."

That wasn't the real reason. Lately, he felt anxious, especially as Phoebe became more uncontrollable. The feeling of her slipping away made him feel the need to do something. By keeping Donovan close, he had another leverage over Phoebe. Why wouldn't he?

Phoebe looked at him suspiciously. "Really?"

Theodore gently stroked her cheek. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do," Phoebe said, still uneasy. "What if Donovan incurs heavy losses?"

Theodore squinted at her. "It's fine. If he loses a lot, you can repay me with sex."

Phoebe was speechless.

She stood by the bed, looking at Theodore with a complicated expression. Just last night, he had her tied up and brought to the hospital. Today, it seemed like the storm had passed.

It was as if everything that had happened before didn't exist, and their relationship had returned to its former glory, even more harmonious than before.

Vanessa was off shooting a movie, and Donovan's issue was perfectly resolved, but she still felt uneasy.

For the next half month, Phoebe stayed in the hospital to take care of Theodore.

Sarah and the others visited Theodore a few times, subtly blaming Phoebe. Phoebe knew she was willful to leave Theodore, who was injured for her, and return to the country alone, so she obediently accepted the scolding. Seeing Phoebe's good attitude, Taylor said little more. They stopped coming to the hospital every day, only reminding her to take good care of Theodore.

The relationship between Phoebe and Theodore returned to its previous state. They both pretended to forget the previous rift, maintaining superficial harmony.

Half a month later, the doctor finally announced that Theodore could be discharged. Phoebe brought him home, but before they could settle in, she received news that Vanessa had fallen from a wire and was hospitalized. After ending the call, Phoebe saw Theodore staring at her seriously. "Tell Lawton to buy two plane tickets. I'm going with you."

Phoebe stared blankly at Theodore's back. The illusion of happiness over the past few days burst like a soap bubble. The person he truly cared about had always been Vanessa.