Forbidden Passion
Chapter 408 Let Her Taste the Pain of Heartache

Phoebe stared at him, feeling like Theodore's words were a warning. "Is something wrong?"

"It's fine. Nothing's gonna happen to you," Theodore said.

He gripped her hand tightly, knowing that by giving Queen Entertainment to Vanessa, he had lost Phoebe.

He wished this day would never come.

Phoebe felt Theodore's pulse through their intertwined hands. She looked into his eyes, seeing sadness despite his reassurances.

Had Vanessa's erratic behavior finally affected Theodore?

Phoebe looked down at their hands and squeezed his. If this was the only time she could hold him without reservations, she would cherish it. Upstairs in the hospital, after Theodore left, Vanessa went berserk, smashing everything.

'Phoebe, Phoebe!' Vanessa screamed in her mind, her jealousy burning.

'Why did I fail, even after giving up everything, including my legs? Did I underestimate Phoebe's charm or Theodore's persistence?' Vanessa wondered. Ruby walked in, almost tripping over a pillow. She steadied herself, picked it up, and saw the mess.

Vanessa lay on the bed, her leg in a new cast and suspended. Despite this, she was still restless, taking her anger out on the pillow.

Ruby placed the thermos she brought on the bedside table. "Vanessa, why is your leg suspended again? Weren't you starting rehab?"

Vanessa opened her eyes, the hatred in them making Ruby's scalp tingle. Ruby forgot what she was saying.

Vanessa closed her eyes and said flatly, "Injured again."

"What? How? Did the nurse drop you?" Ruby asked, worried.

'Vanessa's leg has been through so much. What if it's permanently damaged?' Ruby thought.

"No!" Vanessa didn't want to hear Ruby's guesses. She quickly explained how Taylor ended up in the emergency room, how Theodore almost attacked Brandon, and how she got hurt mediating. However, she didn't mention she hit the wall on purpose to make Theodore feel guilty. If she did, Ruby might never speak to her again.

Vanessa painted herself as the victim, almost believing it herself.

Ruby was stunned. "How do you know all this?"

Vanessa replied, "When the nurse was taking me for fresh air, I saw it and followed. Ruby, believe me. I may be hard on myself, but I don't want to end up crippled."

Vanessa convinced Ruby, who said, "So your leg was accidentally injured by Mr. Reynolds? Where is he now? Did he just leave without apologizing?"

Knowing Vanessa, she wouldn't let Theodore leave so easily.

Vanessa closed her eyes. "Taylor's still in the ICU. I left him here, but his heart isn't in it. What's the point?"

Ruby looked worried. "So you went through all that for nothing?"

"Not exactly. He agreed to give me Queen Entertainment. Once I'm out, we'll handle the transfer, and I'll own it," Vanessa said.

Ruby was thrilled and hugged Vanessa. "Vanessa, you're amazing. You've finally woken up."

Ruby had always feared Vanessa would stay a hopeless romantic, missing every golden opportunity. She was glad Vanessa had finally risen.

Vanessa smiled painfully. If she had a choice, she wouldn't want Queen Entertainment; she just wanted Theodore to adore her.

Vanessa said, "Are you still mad at me? Once I get Queen Entertainment, Phoebe will have to listen to me. If she tries to compete for resources, I'll make sure her little stars suffer."

Ruby was stunned, her excitement fading. "Vanessa, are you utilizing Queen Entertainment as a means to retaliate against Phoebe?"

Vanessa didn't notice Ruby's change in expression and said smugly, "Yes, we all know how much Phoebe cares about Queen Entertainment and those artists. I'll do anything to make her suffer." Ruby's heart turned cold. She stood up straight. "I thought you wanted Queen Entertainment to run the company, but you're just using it for revenge."

Vanessa retorted, "If it weren't for revenge, I wouldn't care about the company. Ruby, do you know how to break Phoebe's heart?"

Ruby shook her head.

Vanessa sneered. "I want her to suffer like me, watching her hard work crumble helplessly."

Ruby looked at the laughing Vanessa and realized she had been wrong. Vanessa was still the same hopeless romantic.

Ruby slowly stepped back and sat down in a chair. 'I should have known Vanessa isn't career-oriented. Why was I drawn to her back then?' Ruby couldn't understand how Vanessa could ruin a good situation. Outside, the sky darkened, and streetlights lit up, making the night as bright as day.

Phoebe sat on a bench, leaning back, with Theodore resting his head on her lap, sleeping soundly.

From this angle, even the most attractive person might look odd, but it didn't affect Theodore's handsomeness at all.

Theodore was almost absurdly handsome.

Good-looking people could get away with anything, and she probably had that mindset now.

Phoebe was willing to endure because Theodore fit her aesthetic perfectly. His happiness brought her joy, and his pain caused her the same.

Phoebe's gaze traced Theodore's eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth like a paintbrush, etching his features into her mind.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.Phoebe averted her gaze swiftly, causing Theodore, who had been resting on her lap, to sit up suddenly.

They saw doctors in green scrubs rushing towards the ICU. By the time Phoebe and Theodore realized what was happening, the ICU door had already closed.