Forbidden Passion
Chapter 395 Running Away from Home Together

Phoebe stared at the diamond ring in the photo, a teardrop shape like a tiny crown. She knew it wasn't meant for her, but seeing it on Vanessa's hand still hurt.

She thought, "Why am I holding on? Theodore already gave Vanessa the ring, so why is he still trying to please me? Giving me a cactus, adopting a cat with me, setting up a cat tree for Ollie-thinking about it now, I feel foolish." Phoebe closed her social media app and deleted her recent post.

Outside, Theodore's voice called, "Phoebe, what are you doing in there? You've been in the bathroom a while. Are you okay?"

Phoebe quickly wiped her eyes, realizing she had been crying. She tilted her head back and fanned her eyelids.

Theodore knocked again. "Phoebe?"

She closed her eyes, waiting for the tears to dry, then suddenly opened the door. Theodore's hand was still raised. "You..."

"Can't I be constipated?" Phoebe snapped, glaring at him. He looked innocent, which made her even more resentful. Without another glance, she walked to the living room. Theodore followed. "Do you need medicine? I heard there's good stuff for constipation."

Phoebe was speechless.

She had lashed out, but seeing his genuine concern made her feel even sadder.

She covered her ears with her hands.

Theodore sensed the shift in her mood. The afternoon's lightheartedness was gone, replaced by an invisible wall.

He looked at her, trying to figure out if it was really constipation or something else.

Phoebe covered her face, avoiding his gaze. "Stop hovering. I want to be alone."

Theodore frowned, frustrated.

He stopped and watched her walk away until she was out of sight. Then he turned to the study.

Phoebe sat on the couch, watching Ollie play on the cat tree.

She felt adopting Ollie was a mistake with so many issues in her relationship.

If she and Theodore divorced-and they definitely would, she c-she-and't coexist with Vanessa. What would happen to Ollie?

Sensing her mood, Ollie jumped down and walked over, meowing at her.

Phoebe's heart melted. She couldn't leave Ollie with Vanessa if they divorced.

She picked up Ollie, rubbing her chin against its fluffy head, feeling even more sorrowful.

For the past three years, Phoebe had always been ready for divorce. Maybe it was her insecurity, but she never thought things with Theodore would end any other way. Theodore came out of the study and glanced into the bedroom. The cold moonlight streamed in, and the bed was empty.

The living room was warmly lit. He followed his heart and walked over, finding Phoebe asleep on the couch with Ollie in her arms.

The scene was so heartwarming that he took out his phone, opened the camera, and tiptoed over.

Ollie, new to the place, sensed an intruder. It puffed up like a pancake, eyes wide.

Ollie saw Theodore and looked wary.

Theodore put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Ollie watched him, then, sensing no danger, closed its eyes again.

Theodore walked around the couch and took several photos of Phoebe and Ollie. In the warm yellow light, Phoebe looked like a defenseless baby as she slept.

Her skin was flawless, with no pores, spots, or fine lines. Theodore chose the best photo and posted it on his social media.

Theodore almost never posted on social media. This was his first real post, apart from the initial system-generated ones. There were no words, just a photo.

He wanted to add some text but felt it was too sentimental and didn't match his cool demeanor.

Even just a photo caused a stir in his social media circle.

In no time, his post got many likes and comments.

[This is Mr. Reynolds' first post, right? Congrats! But who is the person in the photo? Never seen her before.]

[Who else could it be? It must be Mrs. Reynolds. Even Mr. Reynolds is showing off his love now.]

[Mr. Reynolds really knows how to take a photo. This looks so professional.]

[Forget the photo; let's talk about the person in it. From this angle, she looks like a campus beauty. When did you get married? Can't wait to celebrate.]

[You're missing the point. It doesn't matter who she looks like. What matters is that she matches Mr. Reynolds. Congrats, Mr. Reynolds.]

[Congrats, Mr. Reynolds. Wishing you a happy family!]

The comments were almost all congratulatory. Theodore had never posted before and didn't realize how fun social media could be.

He was seeingeveryone's well wishes, which lifted Theodore's spirits. He put his phone back in his pocket, walked over to the couch, and covered Phoebe with a blanket. Phoebe was sound asleep. Not wanting to move her, Theodore sat on the carpet next to the couch, scrolling through the comments on his post.

Soon, Patrick sent him a private message: [What's going on? The eternal ice king is melting and posting on social media?]

Theodore replied with a single word: [Scram.]

Patrick continued: [Did you two make up? You look so smug. That cat is a great gift for Phoebe.]

Theodore replied proudly: [Yes, I gave it to her. Now she'll think of the cat and won't run away from home again.]

Patrick: [What if she takes the cat and runs away next time, leaving you all alone?]