Forbidden Passion
Chapter 441 Empty Promises

Phoebe quickly looked away, pushed the bowl over, and said, "I'm full, you can have it."

Theodore glanced at the bowl, noticing there was only a little left. With a few quick bites, he polished off the rest and then drank the soup.

Riley brought out another bowl and saw Theodore putting down the empty one. "Theodore, if you want more, just tell me. Why are you eating Phoebe's leftovers?" Theodore wiped his mouth, glanced at the slightly uncomfortable Phoebe, his gaze briefly resting on her lips with intent. "It's fine, I don't mind."

Phoebe, speechless, couldn't shake the feeling of Theodore's intense look. She quickly grabbed a napkin to cover her face below her eyes to avoid his gaze. Theodore's eyes darkened, and he cleared his throat, feeling a bit parched.

"Mom, look at Theodore, he looks like a henpecked husband," Madison said, wrinkling her nose in a gesture that was supposed to be cute but came off as pretentious.

Taylor looked at Theodore and Phoebe, then said to Madison, "Just eat your food."

"Theodore, don't you have a cleanliness obsession?" Madison chuckled. "I still remember that time we were out on a picnic with Vanessa. We were all parched, and there was just one bottle of water left. Vanessa took a sip and passed it to you. Your lips were literally cracking from dryness, but you wouldn't take a swig!"

"Madison, eat your food," Taylor interrupted her immediately upon hearing Vanessa's name. Madison pouted and continued eating.

Phoebe crumpled the napkin and threw it in the trash, then got up to leave. "I'm going to chat with Sarah."

As soon as she left, Theodore stood up. He looked down at Madison and said, "You really know how to say the wrong thing."

Madison lowered her head even more. "I didn't mean to; it just came to mind."

Theodore couldn't be bothered to argue with her and turned to follow Phoebe.

In the living room, Phoebe and Sarah were watching TV together.

"Phoebe, you know so much. Nowadays, young people rarely have the patience to enjoy dramas," Sarah said.

Phoebe smiled. "I just happened to come across some recently, so I know a little. It's not much compared to you."

"It's already impressive," Sarah said, noticing Theodore coming out of the dining room. She waved at him and said, "Theodore, Phoebe is a treasure. You must cherish her."

Theodore walked over and sat next to Phoebe, putting his arm around her shoulder. He smiled at her profile and said, "Grandma, I know."

Sarah's gaze shifted between the two of them. "You guys make such a cute pair. Your future children will definitely be beautiful. Put in the effort and aim for that extra family member by next year."

Phoebe lowered her head, not daring to meet Sarah's expectant eyes.

"Grandma, we'll do our best," Theodore promised before Phoebe could respond, tightening his grip on her shoulder.

Phoebe turned to him, and Theodore was looking at her, too.

Their eyes met and held for a moment before Phoebe looked away first. She removed his hand from her shoulder and went upstairs.

Phoebe stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the dark night, feeling cold and heavy inside.

She heard the door open behind her, followed by Theodore's steady footsteps.

He stopped behind her, his reflection visible in the window. Phoebe looked away.

Theodore was close, but the emotional distance felt vast. He could reach out and touch her, but their hearts felt miles apart.

"If I hadn't stopped you earlier, what would you have said?" Theodore asked.

Phoebe turning around, her eyes clear. "We shouldn't give Grandma empty promises."

Theodore's anger flared. "What do you mean by empty promises?"

Phoebe met his gaze. "You know I can't get pregnant again. Instead of letting them wait in vain, we should tell them the truth sooner."

Theodore stared at her, then laughed bitterly. "Phoebe, don't think I don't know what you're up to. No wealthy family doesn't care about heirs, and the Reynolds family is no exception. Once they find out you can't give me children, they'll force us to divorce. Is that your plan?"

Phoebe's fingers curled slightly as that was indeed her plan.

Theodore was right. No wealthy family didn't care about heirs, and the Reynolds family was the wealthiest, with a vast estate needing heirs.

Theodore wasn't even thirty yet, and she was still young. The Reynolds family was already urging them to have children. What about in a year, two years, or five years?

When her belly remained flat, the whole family would know she couldn't have children, and they wouldn't treat her kindly.

As Madison said, not being able to conceive diminished a woman as a person.

Phoebe didn't want to end up in that embarrassing situation. It was better to reveal the truth early so the Reynolds family could make plans.

Seeing her silent, Theodore suddenly grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. He pinched her chin and stared angrily into her eyes. "Phoebe, if you dare act on your own, I'll make your life a living hell!" Theodore warned her not to act rashly.

Phoebe looked at him, a smile slowly spreading across her face, filled with resentment and self-mockery. "Aren't I already living a hellish life?"

"You!" Theodore felt a sharp pain in his chest. His grip tightened. The woman he loved said staying by his side was worse than death. What could be more painful and despairing? He suddenly grabbed Phoebe and threw her onto the bed, pressing down on her. He bit her lip.

Theodore said, "Phoebe, I'll show you what real hell is!"

Phoebe no longer passively accepted it. She fought back with all her might, determined to make him suffer as much as she did, leaving bloody bite marks on him.

Theodore, enraged by Phoebe, tightened his grip on her neck, trying to subdue her completely.

Just before she lost consciousness, Phoebe's hand found something. Without thinking, she smashed it against the back of Theodore's head.