Forbidden Passion
Chapter 394 Warm Moments of a Family of Three

Phoebe bent down, picked it up, and went back to the dining room. Theodore saw her with Ollie and said, "Don't hold it while eating."

"Okay." Phoebe put Ollie down. "Play first. I'll be with you after dinner."

Clingy Ollie stayed at her feet, meowing under the table.

Theodore was speechless.

Unbelievably, even a cat wanted her attention. He regretted bringing Ollie home. What was he thinking?

They finished dinner with the cat's meows in the background. Theodore took the dishes to the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher. When he came back, Phoebe had the litter box, cat tree, and toys out. Ollie was tugging at a mouse toy, its chubby face all scrunched up. Theodore squatted next to Phoebe.

Phoebe was on the carpet with a screwdriver, assembling the cat tree.

Theodore sat down, took the screwdriver, and said, "Let me do it. It won't take long."

Phoebe didn't just sit there. She followed the instructions, found the next part, and handed it to him. The living room was quiet, except for Ollie's meows.

Theodore was torn. He regretted bringing Ollie home, but he also appreciated the cat's presence.

This eased the tension between them.

"Want to listen to some music? I'll play a song." Phoebe took out her phone and found some light music. As soon as it played, Ollie got startled. The cat dropped the toy and shrank back to the wall, making Phoebe laugh.

"Theodore, look how timid it is. It's so funny." Phoebe laughed and patted Theodore's arm.

Theodore's eyes went from her hand on his arm to her smiling face.

Tonight, he had seen her smile genuinely many times.

He couldn't look away.

Phoebe didn't notice his gaze. She was still watching Ollie. The cat slowly poked its head out.

Theodore saw Ollie's cautious movements and made a noise to scare it. Ollie fell for it and darted back.

"You're so bad. Why scare it?" Phoebe's tone was much more affectionate.

Theodore was stunned, silently looking at her. They had been married for three years, yet she seemed to relax only tonight.

He felt a mix of emotions, looking at Ollie curled up in the corner. He didn't know whether to be grateful or jealous of the cat.

Phoebe really liked cats. She couldn't resist petting one. When Ollie rubbed up to her for a hug, she picked him up.

She took a photo of Ollie. Then she saw Theodore focused on the cat tree and sneakily took a photo of him.

She thought for a moment and posted it on social media.

With the photos, she added, [Ollie and Papa, who is focused on assembling the cat tree!]

After posting, Phoebe put her phone aside, petting Ollie while finding parts for Theodore. They didn't talk much, but the atmosphere was comfortably quiet. Theodore finished assembling the cat tree and placed it in the living room corner.

Phoebe noticed him standing there, examining his work, which triggered memories of when she had just discovered

The doctor hinted it was a boy, and Theodore was thrilled. He bought a lot of stuff, including a small rocking horse.

He didn't buy a pre-assembled one but parts and then locked himself in the nursery for over half an hour to put it together.

Phoebe remembered asking why he didn't just buy a pre-assembled one.

Theodore replied, "This is my first child. If I can do it myself, I don't want to delegate it."

He was so earnest. She still remembered his expression. She thought, 'Theodore was ready to be a good father. I wasn't ready to be a good mother.'

Theodore turned and saw her teary eyes. He frowned. "What's wrong?"

Phoebe realized her eyes were wet. She quickly blinked and said, "Nothing, I need to use the restroom."

She put Ollie down, grabbed her phone, and hurried away.

In the bathroom, Phoebe stood by the door, trying to suppress the sour feeling in her heart. She thought, 'Theodore loves kids so much, but I can never have another one. He doesn't mind now, but in a few years, will he regret it?' Her phone vibrated. It was Evelyn. She took a deep breath and answered.

Evelyn asked, "Phoebe, what's with that social media post? Did you and Theodore get a cat?"

Phoebe replied, "Yes."

"Are you stupid? Posting that? Do you want everyone to know you can't have kids, and Theodore had to get a cat? What will your in-laws think?" Evelyn's voice was sharp. Phoebe retorted, "I can't have kids anyway."

Evelyn, exasperated, said, "Delete that post and return the cat. I forbid you from keeping it!"

"Mom," Phoebe said helplessly. "Can you not be so sensitive?"

Evelyn replied, "How can I not be? I asked you to see a doctor, but you refused. Now you get a cat? Do you think a cat can replace a child? Who are you fooling?" Phoebe was hurt. She said, "I've already brought Ollie home. I won't send him away."

Evelyn said, "Phoebe, are you not listening to me anymore? If you want to keep your place, you need to have a Reynolds family child. Otherwise, you're just fooling yourself." Phoebe didn't listen to the rest and ended the call. She closed her eyes, feeling a surge of emotion.

She wanted to scream and release the pent-up negative emotions, but she couldn't.

Phoebe picked up her phone and looked at the social media post. She opened the photos, one of Ollie lazily licking her hand and one of Theodore focused on the cat tree, the light casting a peaceful glow on him. Phoebe bit her lip and deleted the post. Her finger accidentally tapped somewhere, and a photo quickly popped up.

In the photo, her fingers were slender and beautiful, adorned with a sparkling diamond ring whose brilliance stung her eyes even through the image.