Forbidden Passion
Chapter 405 Lean on My Shoulder for Five Minutes

Taylor's surgery wrapped up at 3 PM. The emergency room doors swung open, and lead surgeon Eugene Baker walked out. Phoebe and the Reynolds family rushed to meet him. Eugene took off his mask, scanning the worried faces before locking eyes with Brandon.

"Mrs. Reynolds' surgery was a success. We stopped the bleeding, but the injury was severe. Her heart stopped briefly, but we revived her. She'll need a few days in the ICU. If she wakes up, she should be okay," Eugene said. Brandon, looking tense, asked, "When will she wake up?"

Eugene replied, "That depends on her willpower. Her desire to live is very low, which is why resuscitation took so long. Be prepared for the worst."

Theodore lost it and grabbed Eugene by the collar. "What do you mean?"

Despite being choked, Eugene stayed calm. He waved off his assistant and said to Theodore, "Calm down."

Phoebe stepped in and grabbed Theodore's wrist. "Theodore, don't. Taylor will be fine. Let go of Mr. Baker."

Theodore realized he was out of line and let go, turning away.

Eugene gave a few more instructions before leaving with his team.

Theodore shook off Phoebe's hand and sat on a bench, refusing to leave until Taylor came out.

Phoebe's wrist was numb from Theodore's grip. She looked at Brandon, whose clothes were stained with dried blood. "Dad, Theodore, and I will stay. You and Grandma should go home. I'll call if there's any news." Brandon shook his head. "No, I'll stay."

Theodore sneered. "If my mom sees you, she'll need resuscitation again."

Brandon gritted his teeth. "Theodore!"

Seeing another argument brewing, Sarah quickly said, "Brandon, come home with me to change clothes. Let Phoebe and Theodore stay."

"I want to stay, too," Christopher said.

"Me too," Madison echoed.

Sarah didn't push Christopher and Madison to leave. "Alright, you all stay. Call me if anything happens."

Phoebe glanced at Theodore, then escorted Sarah and Brandon out. The driver was waiting and opened the back door.

Sarah and Brandon got in. Phoebe stood outside and said, "Grandma, don't worry. We're all here. Mom will be fine."

"Phoebe, thank you. Try to talk some sense into Theodore," Sarah said from inside the car.

Phoebe waved them off, watching the car disappear before heading back. Outside the emergency room, Madison was still crying, and Christopher was comforting her.

Phoebe sat next to Theodore. "Grandma and Dad have gone home. Theodore, you look exhausted. How about resting?"

Staying outside the emergency room was pointless. The ICU didn't allow visitors, so they couldn't see Taylor and were just wearing themselves out.

Theodore stayed silent, his face blank.

Phoebe sighed. "Are you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?"

"Can you stop being so annoying?" Madison snapped, glaring at Phoebe. "If you want to leave, just go. No one's forcing you. You're the only one who's hungry. Our mom is in the ICU, and we have no appetite." "Madison, Phoebe means well. Don't talk to her like that," Christopher scolded.

Madison retorted, "Christopher, you're defending her. She must have known all along and kept it from us, laughing at us. Now she sees our family falling apart..."

"Shut up!" Theodore's cold voice cut through. He glared at Madison. "If you can't keep your mouth shut, I don't mind sewing it up for you."

Madison stared at Theodore in shock, tears streaming down her face. "Theodore, you're still defending her. I'm your sister!"

Theodore, his ears ringing from her shrill voice, looked at Christopher. "Christopher, take her home. She can't come back until Mom wakes up." Madison was furious. "Theodore, you..."

Before she could finish, Christopher covered her mouth and dragged her away.

"Let go, Christopher. Why are you all siding with her?" Madison broke free and demanded.

Christopher said, "Madison, the family is already in chaos. Why can't you calm down? Do you want Theodore to kick you out?"

"Like I care." Madison snapped. "Look at Phoebe pretending to be concerned. Asking Theodore if he's tired and hungry. She obviously doesn't want to stay in the hospital and is hinting at Theodore." Christopher looked at her, exasperated. "Your logic is ridiculous. Phoebe has been running around all day. How can you say she doesn't want to stay?"

Madison fumed. "You've all been fooled by her."

She stormed off in her high heels, and Christopher shook his head in frustration before returning to the hospital.

Outside the ICU, Phoebe sat next to Theodore. She patted her shoulder and said, "Want to lean on me? I'll let you for five minutes."

Theodore glanced at her and leaned his head on her shoulder. His short, stiff hair pricked her neck, making her squirm, but she straightened her back to make him more comfortable. Theodore closed his eyes, his voice hoarse, "Only five minutes? You're so stingy."

Phoebe sat upright, one shoulder bearing his weight. "Yes, I'm very stingy and narrow-minded."

If Theodore was nice to Vanessa, she would get jealous and sad, but she didn't know how to express it, so she lent him her shoulder for five minutes.

Theodore sighed. "You're only stingy with me."

Phoebe felt a pang in her heart. She blinked and changed the subject. "How's Miss Fitzroy?"

Theodore replied, "Still unconscious. The doctor said she might have a concussion from hitting the wall. Her leg was injured again, and she might need a wheelchair for the rest of her life."