Forbidden Passion
Chapter 381 Almost Choked Her to Death

Phoebe was in shock. She could feel Theodore's hatred, and the madness in his eyes scared her.

The sound of bones dislocating made her shiver. She grabbed Theodore's hand, digging her nails into his back and drawing blood. However, Theodore didn't let up. He kept choking her, cutting off her air. She couldn't breathe and instinctively opened her mouth. "Let go," she croaked.

Theodore saw her trembling pupils and felt even more violent. It was like a demon inside him was screaming to kill her.

If he killed Phoebe, his emotions would stop bothering him.

Phoebe's wide eyes reflected Theodore's crazed look-savage, bloody, murderous.

His intense gaze sent chills down her spine, filling her with fear.

He really wanted to kill her!

A sudden will to survive made Phoebe struggle hard. She couldn't die by his hands. Her fingers scratched at his, leaving bloody marks. "Let me go," she shouted.

But Theodore ignored the pain, tightening his grip.

Phoebe's eyes rolled back, and just as she was about to pass out, the grip on her neck loosened.

She fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.

She had almost died. As she caught her breath, she looked up at Theodore. He still looked noble and elegant, his face calm and tired, as if the demon from before wasn't him.

Phoebe was trembling. She got up, yanked open the emergency stairwell door, and ran out, stumbling.

Outside, she tripped over a luggage bag and fell hard.

Footsteps approached quickly. A familiar voice said, "Ms. Ziegler, what happened?"

John saw the bruises on her neck and was confused. "Who did this? Tell me, and I'll get justice for you."

Phoebe grabbed his wrist, looking fearfully at the stairwell door. "Don't go, John. Take me away," she said hoarsely.

John glared at the door but helped her up, picked up the scattered items, and supported her as they left.

The near-death experience left Phoebe trembling and crying uncontrollably.

John handed her a tissue. It was the first time he had seen her so scared and fragile.

He wanted to know who was behind that door and how they could hurt her so badly.

However, he refrained from asking, realizing it would offend her and offer no assistance.

In the car, Phoebe slowly calmed down. John glanced at her in the rearview mirror and hesitated. "Ms. Ziegler, do you want to go home or to the office?" Phoebe shrank back. She didn't want to see Theodore right now. "Take me to Cindy's place."

John nodded. "Okay."

As the car left the parking lot, Phoebe checked herself in a mirror. Her face was pale, and the marks on her neck were obvious.

She took a scarf from her bag, tied it around her neck, and let her hair down to cover most of the marks.

Once done, she sat in the back seat, lost in thought.

Theodore had really wanted to kill her.

It wasn't necessary!

Should he harbor such intense animosity towards her, he could simply opt for a divorce. There would be no necessity to extinguish a life and bear the weight of that decision. Half an hour later, they arrived at Cindy's apartment. John quickly got out, opened the back door, and helped Phoebe out.

Her legs were still weak. She felt unreal as she stood, then paused before taking her bags from John.

"Ms. Ziegler, let me walk you in," John offered.

Phoebe shook her head. "No need. I won't be at the office for a few days. Handle things online. If any urgent documents need my signature, bring them to me." "Okay," John nodded.

Phoebe turned and entered the apartment. As she reached the building, a tall figure approached.

Patrick, in a black jacket, vintage blue baseball cap, and black mask, was unmistakable.

They almost bumped into each other, and Patrick quickly steadied her arm.

Phoebe looked up, surprised. "It's you!"

Patrick let go of her. Seeing her pale and carrying a luggage bag, he frowned. "Why do you look like this? Didn't Theodore feed you?" Phoebe was speechless.

It wasn't that Theodore didn't feed her; he strangled her!

Ignoring his question, she asked, "Patrick, what are you doing here? Visiting a friend?"

Patrick rubbed his nose, looking uneasy. His eyes wandered to her luggage bag. "You're not running away from home again, are you?" "No," Phoebe avoided his gaze, feeling guilty.

After a moment, she added, "Patrick, can you not tell Theodore you saw me here?"

Patrick frowned, his eyes scanning her before landing on her neck. Even with the scarf, he could see the marks.

"What's with the marks on your neck?" he asked.

Phoebe quickly tugged at her scarf, looking flustered. "Just don't tell him you saw me. I'm leaving."

As Phoebe disappeared into the elevator lobby, Patrick looked away. Walking towards the parking lot, he called Theodore.

It took several attempts before Theodore responded. "What's going on?" he inquired, his voice devoid of energy.

"Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong?" Patrick replied.

"Then I'm hanging up," Theodore said.

Patrick quickly stopped him. "Did you and Phoebe have another fight? I just saw her at an apartment with luggage. If you like her, treat her well. If you don't, divorce her."