Forbidden Passion
Chapter 406 My Heart Already Belongs to Someone

Phoebe was unsure. Did Vanessa really get hurt that badly?

If Vanessa ended up in a wheelchair for life, Theodore would feel super guilty.

Phoebe bit her lip. She had underestimated Vanessa. How could she be so reckless?

Theodore clearly didn't want to talk about Vanessa. He said, "Phoebe, I need some quiet. I don't want to discuss her."

All day, his heart felt like it was frying in oil. It finally calmed down when he leaned against Phoebe.

Phoebe stayed silent, looking at Theodore. The hallway light was bright, casting a cold glow on his tired face.

Theodore's most cherished, Taylor, was in the ICU, and Vanessa might be permanently disabled.

And it was because of Theodore. He must feel so guilty and hurt.

Phoebe forced a smile. Vanessa's constant self-harm had finally gotten to Theodore.

If Vanessa became disabled, Theodore wouldn't ignore her.

But what about Phoebe?

Her hand itched to move. Even though Theodore's heart wasn't with her, she wanted to hug him, especially when he was in such pain.

Phoebe's fingers curled and then stretched. She slowly raised her hand. Just as she was about to touch Theodore's shoulder, he suddenly sat up. "Five minutes are up. I'm going to check on Vanessa." He stood up, not noticing Phoebe's hand quickly hiding.

Phoebe was stunned, her heart racing. She didn't hear what he said; she just nodded. "Okay!"

Theodore looked at her, and seemed like he wanted to say something, but then walked away quickly. Phoebe watched him leave, her heart sinking.

Theodore took the elevator and arrived outside Vanessa's room. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Lawton was there. Seeing Theodore, he quickly stood up. "How's Mrs. Reynolds?"

Theodore walked to the bedside, looking at the pale Vanessa. "She's in the ICU and needs two days of observation."

Lawton knew Taylor was seriously hurt. He looked at Theodore, unsure how to comfort him.

"Mr. Reynolds, everything will be alright," Lawton said.

Theodore glanced at him. "Get some easy-to-digest food for Phoebe. She's still outside the ICU."

"Okay." Lawton left.

Theodore sat down. Sunlight slanted through the window onto the bed.

When Theodore got up to close the curtains, Vanessa's eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes.

She felt intense pain in her right leg.

Vanessa tried to curl up. When she moved, Theodore pressed down on her shoulder.

The familiar mint scent made her pause. Her eyes locked onto Theodore's face. Seeing him, she forgot the pain in her leg and said, "Theodore, you didn't leave. I thought I'd wake up alone again."

Theodore pursed his lips. "I just got here. Don't move. I'll call the doctor."

He was about to press the call button when Vanessa grabbed his hand. "Don't call the doctor. I'm fine. Theodore, talk to me."

Theodore pulled his hand away and sat back down.

Vanessa strained to see his face. Seeing him by her bedside, she knew she had won her gamble.

Theodore must feel really guilty now.

Vanessa asked, "Theodore, how's Taylor?"

"The surgery just ended. She's still under observation in the ICU. It's nothing serious. Don't worry about it. Focus on recovering," Theodore replied.

Vanessa heard the detachment in his voice. She looked down. "I'm sorry. Am I causing you trouble?"

Theodore frowned. "Vanessa, I should apologize. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Vanessa shook her head desperately, looking panicked. "No, it's my fault. If my leg hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have lost my balance. Theodore, this isn't your fault. Don't feel guilty." Despite this, she had deliberately put herself in this situation to bind Theodore with guilt.

Vanessa's understanding made Theodore feel even guiltier. "Vanessa, is there anything you need? Are you short on money?"

Vanessa's face turned pale.

Theodore said, "I've asked Lawton to transfer the apartment you're living into your name. If you need anything else, let me know. If you're too embarrassed to tell me, tell Lawton, and I'll have him handle it."

Vanessa never expected this kind of compensation. Her eyes welled up, and she said with trembling lips, "Theodore, I don't want these things. Please don't do this."

Vanessa cried anxiously, though it was fake.

If Theodore gave her a house, a car, or other valuable things, his guilt would lessen.

She didn't want that!

Vanessa had worked hard to create this situation. She wouldn't let Theodore escape easily. She wanted the house, the car, and Theodore, too.

She wouldn't let him slip away!

Seeing Vanessa get agitated, Theodore remembered the doctor's instructions for her to rest. He said, "Didn't you want to be a superstar? Once your leg heals, I'll find a famous director to create a show just for you, to make you famous." Vanessa shook her head desperately, panicking. "Theodore, you know I don't want these things. What I've always wanted is you."

The room fell into sudden silence.

The eerie silence made Vanessa forget to cry. She looked at Theodore pitifully, her heart in knots.

Had all her self-destructive actions still not moved Theodore's heart?

Seeing the fear and unease in her eyes, Theodore sighed. "Vanessa, we've missed our chance. Besides money and resources, I can't give you anything else."

Vanessa stared at him blankly, tears streaming down her face. She hiccuped through her sobs.

"I'm not asking for much, Theodore. I want you to visit me often and talk to me when I'm lonely. I..."

Theodore gently interrupted, "But Vanessa, my heart already belongs to someone else."