Forbidden Passion
Chapter 520 Be Good

In the evening, Phoebe rolled back to her lonely crib, the place all dark and gloomy. One flick of the switch, and bam, the house lit up like a Christmas tree. She dragged her tired self inside, only to spot Theodore sprawled out on the couch.

The sudden brightness made Theodore squint hard. He threw an arm over his eyes, looking like he was in no mood to wake up.

Phoebe tiptoed over to him, dropped her bag on the coffee table, and stared down at him. He was rocking a black sweater with his shirt collar peeking out. Under the light, Theodore looked all kinds of handsome and classy.

"Meow." Ollie strutted over and rubbed against Phoebe's leg.

Phoebe scooped up Ollie and whispered, "Shh, be good. Let him catch some more Z's. We'll hang in the kitchen."

Phoebe was dead tired after a long day, just wanting to crash and burn.

But seeing Theodore at home, all her exhaustion vanished. She felt pumped, like she could whip up a five-star meal.

In the kitchen, Phoebe plopped Ollie on the counter and let him mess around while she got dinner going.

Phoebe could cook like a pro. Back when Evelyn worked for the Vanderbilt family and couldn't cook for her and Donovan, Phoebe would take over after school. Over time, she got pretty darn good at it.

Soon enough, dinner was ready, and she set the table. Ollie jumped up, and she scooped him off.

"Don't mess around on the table," she said.

"Meow."

Phoebe put Ollie on the cat tree and headed back to the living room. She squatted by the couch, looking down at Theodore.

He looked troubled, even frowning in his sleep. Was it 'cause Bishop was stirring up trouble at the shareholders' meeting today?

Phoebe paused, then gently reached out, her hand landing on his furrowed brow, smoothing it out with a soft touch. Theodore's frown eased. Phoebe smiled, but just as she was about to pull her hand back, a big hand caught her wrist. Phoebe's eyes went wide.

Theodore slowly opened his eyes, smirking. "Caught you red-handed, checking me out while I was asleep, huh?"

Phoebe was startled, her eyes darting. "I wasn't peeking. Dinner's ready, and I came to get you."

Theodore shifted, locking eyes with her. "Do I look good?"

Phoebe was taken aback, feeling awkward. She turned her face away, embarrassed, and tried to pull her hand back. "Quit messing around and go wash up. The food's getting cold." Theodore tugged her back with a bit of force.

Phoebe almost toppled onto him. She blushed and propped herself on the edge of the couch, glaring at him. "What are you doing?"

Theodore grinned mischievously and lightly tapped her nose. "Be good, don't make a fuss."

"Oh."

Phoebe squatted by the couch, looking at Theodore's handsome face up close. The red veins in his eyes were a stark reminder of the sleepless nights he'd had in the hospital lately. She told herself not to feel sorry for him, but she couldn't help it.

"Where'd you head off to this afternoon?" Phoebe paused. "The hospital? How's Sophia doing? Any luck finding a heart donor?"

Theodore wasn't too keen on chatting about Sophia. He teased, "You keeping tabs on my schedule now?"

Phoebe was caught off guard. "I was just asking. If it bugs you, I won't ask again. Go wherever you want."

There was a bit of bite in her words.

Theodore's hand felt empty as Phoebe pulled away and headed to the dining room, leaving him staring at her cold back.

He got up from the couch and quickly followed her.

Phoebe sat down at the table and started eating. Suddenly, a shadow loomed beside her, and Theodore plopped down next to her.

"I didn't hit up the hospital. I went back to the estate." Theodore decided to spill about his afternoon. "Mom heard about Bishop causing a ruckus at the company this morning and called me back." Phoebe still had a stern look. "Why are you telling me this? I wouldn't dare to pry into your schedule."

Theodore chuckled at her sarcastic tone. He reached out and pinched her cheek. "Your temper's something else, you get riled up so easily."

"Miss Fitzroy's got a sweet temper, why don't you go hang with her? You've been camping out at the hospital just to be with her, right?" Phoebe's voice dripped with jealousy.

Thinking about Vanessa showing off yesterday made Phoebe so mad she could eat nails.

Theodore leaned in close, sniffed lightly, and smirked. "Phoebe, are you jealous?"

Phoebe really wanted to dump her bowl on his head. How could someone be as infuriating as Theodore?At Horizon Wellness Hospital, Sophia lay in bed while Vanessa adjusted the bed so Sophia could see the lights outside the window. After a bit, Sophia turned to Vanessa, who was peeling fruit by the bed, and asked hoarsely, "Where's Theodore?"

Vanessa paused. "Theodore went back. He's been here for days and needed to go home."

"He's a good guy." Sophia closed her eyes. "Out of all the students, in terms of character and looks, he's the best. That's why I feel so guilty towards him."

Vanessa gripped the fruit knife tightly. "Mom, it's because he's the best that you want me to marry him, isn't it?"

Sophia's breathing got a bit labored. "Vanessa, there are plenty of good men out there. Theodore's already married. Can't we find someone else?"

"No, he was mine first. Phoebe took him, and I want him back," Vanessa said, almost obsessively.

"Vanessa!" Sophia scolded, "He's been here these past few days. I can see he doesn't love you. Why can't you get that?"

Vanessa kept peeling the apple, full of resentment. "In the ten-plus years we've known each other, I've always loved him more. I'm used to it."

Sophia looked straight at her. "Vanessa, you're being stubborn. You're only hurting yourself."

"Mom, I want to be stubborn for the rest of my life." Vanessa cried out in pain. "Do you think I didn't try to let go in Nyxonia? But I can't. I tried dating lots of people, but none of them compare to Theodore. I can't lie to myself. I deeply and madly love Theodore."