Forbidden Passion
Chapter 401 Showdown

Evelyn said, "I'm not asking you to compare yourself to him, but to a twenty-year-old girl. She's in her prime. What do you have to compete with her?" Phoebe was speechless.

"But if you give Theodore a son now, your status will change. You might not outdo those mistresses, but you can secure your position with a son," Evelyn insisted. Phoebe shot back, "What era are we in? Divorced women with kids are everywhere. Look at Brian Vanderbilt."

Evelyn replied, "Speaking of Brian, he and Bianca have reconciled. Kids are the glue in a marriage. With kids, no marriage falls apart easily."

Phoebe looked at her mom, surprised. "Did Brian and Bianca get back together for their child?"

"Yes, Brian didn't make any major mistakes, and he promised both families' elders he'd never hurt Bianca again. So, the parents let it go," Evelyn sighed.

It was all for Benjamin's sake that the Ramirez family swallowed their pride. Now, it depended on whether Brian would truly change.

Phoebe was speechless.

Wasn't it a major mistake to catch him in bed? If it were her, seeing Theodore and Vanessa in bed...

She couldn't even think about it; she definitely wouldn't forgive him.

Seeing the conversation veer off track, Evelyn pulled it back. "Grab your bag. It's a good time to go now since there aren't many people. Get checked, and then come back to work." Phoebe silently looked at Evelyn.

"Why are you staring at me? Hurry up. Didn't you say you were busy? The sooner we go, the sooner we come back," Evelyn said.

Phoebe had no choice. Knowing Evelyn wouldn't give up today, she grabbed her bag and left the office with her.

Phoebe didn't drive. They took a cab straight to the hospital. There weren't many people, and after a few minutes, it was their turn.

Dr. Anthony Walker checked Phoebe's pulse, asked some questions, and then started writing a prescription.

Evelyn, feeling uneasy about his silence, asked, "Dr. Walker, Phoebe has been recuperating for two or three months. Has there been any improvement?"

Anthony glanced at her and said, "With such disregard for her health, two or three more years of recovery won't help if she doesn't take her medication and sleep enough." Evelyn glared at Phoebe. "Didn't I tell you to take your medicine on time?"

"I'm too busy and can't keep up," Phoebe said guiltily.

While writing the prescription, Anthony said, "With your condition, if you don't stick to the medication, no one can help you."

Phoebe was speechless.

After getting the prescription, Evelyn went to pay and pick up the medicine. When Phoebe heard it would take two hours, she felt numb.

"Mom, I'll go back to work first and pick up the medicine from you tonight," Phoebe said.

Evelyn said, "Don't ignore what Anthony said. Don't you know your condition? Vanessa is still eyeing you and Theodore, just waiting for you to divorce." Phoebe replied, "Got it. I'm leaving now."

Phoebe hurriedly got into a cab. It wasn't until the car had driven far away that she let out a long sigh of relief.

The whole morning had been chaotic. It wasn't until she sat in the car that she could relax. Phoebe raised her hand to her lips.

It felt like Theodore's warmth and pressure still lingered on her lips. Phoebe remembered him saying that hugging someone you like can recharge you.

'Did Theodore say that to me?'

Phoebe closed her eyes and immediately dismissed the thought. 'I must have misheard. How could Theodore like me? If he did, he wouldn't have given Vanessa a diamond ring.' She withdrew her hand and looked out the window, feeling hopeless.

Brandon and Taylor returned to the estate. Sarah wasn't home; she was out with friends. Brandon dismissed all the servants.

Seeing this, Taylor felt uneasy. "Brandon, what's going on? Why did you send all the servants away?"

Brandon pulled her to sit on the couch, looking serious. "Honey, I need to confess something. It might hurt you, but I never meant to harm you."

Taylor's heart sank. How long had it been since Brandon called her honey? His sudden use of the term gave her goosebumps.

"Go ahead," Taylor said.

Brandon lowered his head, staring at the floor. This was always hard to say. He closed his eyes and said, "I have a love child from before we got married." "What?" Taylor stood up abruptly, staring at Brandon in shock, her mind blank.

Brandon had anticipated her reaction. After starting, it got easier. "About ten years ago, Marlowe came to me, begging me to save her child. The moment I saw the child, I knew he was mine because he looked so much like me." Taylor began to tremble. "You've known for ten years, and you're only telling me now?"

Brandon pressed his lips together. "Yes. If I could, I would have preferred you never find out and just live a simple, happy life."

Taylor's vision blurred, her voice hoarse, "Then why are you telling me now?"

"Because I can't hide it any longer." Brandon sighed. "I really don't want to hurt you, but if you have to know, I want to be the one to tell you."

Taylor collapsed onto the couch, tears streaming down her face. "You've hidden this from me for ten years. No wonder there were always one or two days each week when you didn't come home. It wasn't work but Marlowe." Brandon couldn't refute it.

Taylor covered her eyes with her hand. "So why are you telling me now? Do you want me to accept the love child and Marlowe?"

"No, I just want you to know. I don't want to keep hiding it from you."

Taylor cried and laughed bitterly. She never imagined her happiness would crumble on such an ordinary morning.

Details she had never noticed before now came to mind. How foolish she had been, never suspecting Brandon of having another woman.

When she married Brandon, she knew he was a dull man. He never sweet-talked, always wore a stern face, and was hard to get close to.

In all their years of marriage, Brandon had never done anything romantic. Taylor thought, 'No one but me would ever be interested in a man like Brandon.'

So, she had always felt secure with him.

"Have you two been a couple for the full decade?" Taylor's eyes, tinged with redness, bore into Brandon, searching for resolution.

Brandon frowned. He didn't want to discuss his relationship with Marlowe with Taylor, just as he never mentioned Taylor in front of Marlowe.