Forbidden Passion
Chapter 431 The Love That Cannot Be Attained

Theodore hugged Phoebe tightly, emotions swirling. He worried about upsetting her, fearing she'd retreat and sleep for days, wearing herself out.

He gently laid her back on the hospital bed.

Phoebe had been out for ages, kept going by nutrient fluids. Once she woke up, her body craved nutrients.

Soon, she felt a gnawing hunger.

Leaning against the headboard, her face turned pale after the fever broke, almost translucent in the sunlight.

Theodore brought over a bowl of porridge and sat by the bed. Stirring it, he said, "You've been out for days. The doctors came and went, but your fever wouldn't break." Phoebe smelled the porridge and swallowed hard, avoiding the small bowl in his hand.

Theodore scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to her lips. "Come on. Eat something. You're too weak."

Phoebe tried to swat his hand away, but she was too weak. Her hand fell back onto the blanket. She glared and shouted, "Get out!" Theodore replied, "I'll leave once you finish the porridge."

Frustrated, Phoebe bit down on the spoon as if biting into Theodore's bones.

Seeing her so lively, Theodore felt a twisted sense of relief. "Come on. If you don't want to see me, finish the porridge." Reluctantly, Phoebe ate the porridge.

He fed her spoonful by spoonful until the bowl was empty, but she still wasn't full.

Phoebe eyed the empty bowl, wanting more.

Theodore wiped her mouth with a tissue. "You just woke up; you can't eat too much, or it'll hurt your stomach."

His fingertip brushed her face, and they both froze.

Theodore stared at her, a hint of pain in his eyes. "You've lost weight."

Phoebe turned her head away.

Theodore's hand hung in the air before he slowly withdrew it. He took the bowl to wash it.

When he came back, Phoebe was still staring blankly at the sunlight.

She seemed so fragile, like she might shatter at a touch, making one want to protect her.

But her aura was so unapproachable that Theodore didn't dare get close.

He put the bowl away and lingered, reluctant to leave. He tried to find a topic.

"While you were unconscious, I..."

Phoebe looked at him coldly. Theodore met her icy gaze, feeling his heart freeze.

He forced a smile. "Get some rest. I'll come back tonight."

Theodore picked up his lunch bag and walked slowly to the door, hoping Phoebe would ask him to stay.

But she didn't. He stood outside for a moment, disappointed.

Theodore sighed and took out his phone to dial a number.

Phoebe, no longer sleepy after the porridge, stared at the bright sunlight, replaying Theodore's cautious yet desolate expression.

Her heart ached faintly.

She was long past dreaming. Once, she thought enduring silently would earn Theodore's forgiveness and love. But in the end, she found herself stuck in a cheap, irresponsible love, moved only by her feelings.

She thought, 'Some people I can never reach, and some feelings I can never attain. Why should I degrade myself any further?'

A knock on the hospital room door made her eyelashes tremble as tears rolled down. She quickly wiped her eyes.

Looking back, she saw Taylor walking in.

Taylor looked much better, the bandage on her head gone, and her visible wounds healed. But who knew when her heart would heal?

They looked at each other, feeling like a lifetime had passed.

Taylor sat by the bed. "Theodore left a long list of instructions, saying you can't eat anything cold or hard. So, I came empty-handed. You won't blame me, will you?"

Phoebe smiled faintly. "I'm sorry to worry you."

"You silly child, why do you put yourself through this?" Taylor sighed. "A few days ago, your fever wouldn't break, and you were talking nonsense. Theodore stayed by your side without eating or drinking, afraid something would happen to you."

Phoebe lowered her eyelids. "I don't need that."

Taylor frowned and held Phoebe's hand. "Phoebe, if you're feeling wronged, tell me. Don't make yourself sick over it."

Phoebe took a deep breath. "I'm not feeling wronged."

Taylor knew Phoebe was indeed feeling wronged but didn't want to talk about it. She patted Phoebe's hand and sighed again.

They sat in silence until the door opened.

"Phoebe, you're finally awake. Look at the trouble your illness has caused everyone. If you didn't wake up soon, Theodore would have..." Evelyn stopped mid-sentence when she saw Taylor by the bed. Evelyn asked, "Taylor, what brings you here?"

Taylor found Evelyn's loudness annoying but envied her energy. Despite having two kids, Evelyn's face was wrinkle-free and she seemed carefree.

"Theodore was worried about Phoebe being alone, so he asked me to keep her company. Since you're here, I'll head down. You have a good chat." Taylor stood up and walked towards the door. Evelyn said politely, "It's fine. Phoebe and I don't have much to talk about. You can stay a bit longer."

"No, Phoebe, take care. I'll come up to see you later." Taylor waved to Evelyn and left.

As soon as Taylor left, Phoebe pulled up the blanket and lay back down, signaling she didn't want to talk to Evelyn.

Evelyn closed the door and turned to see Phoebe lying in bed. Her initial worry turned into anger.

She walked over, yanked the blanket off, and glared at Phoebe. "You've been sleeping for days. Can you still sleep now?" Phoebe lay stiffly in bed.

Phoebe's stubbornness exasperated Evelyn. She laughed and sat heavily on the bed, shaking it.

"Don't play games with me. Why did you go to Gonzalo's old house? It hasn't been maintained for over a decade."

Phoebe remained silent.

Evelyn frowned. "Phoebe, are you planning to spend your whole life like this? Hiding in your barren, leaky world without talking or communicating?"