Forbidden Passion
Chapter 543 You Saved Me Again

Phoebe caught the shift in Theodore's face. She bent down, scooped up the phone; the call was already over. She handed it back to him.

"Screen's busted. You need a new one."

Theodore just stared at Phoebe, totally zoned out. The paternity test results hit him like a truck. Even though he tried to brace himself, it was still a lot to take in.

Phoebe waved a hand in front of his face. "Yo, what's up? Why do you look like that?"

"The paternity test... Grace is my biological sister." Theodore still felt like he was in some weird dream.

If Grace was his real sister, then what about Madison?

Phoebe was shocked too. She had her suspicions, but now it was official.

Madison wasn't Brandon and Taylor's real daughter. This news was gonna mess everyone up.

She gripped her phone. "So, what's the plan now?"

Theodore reached for his smokes but remembered they were in a hospital. No smoking allowed. He pulled his hand back, looking annoyed. "Grace is a Reynolds. We gotta bring her back to the family." "And Madison?" Phoebe cut straight to the point.

Theodore's face darkened. He stared hard at Phoebe. "Madison's my sister. Blood or not, that doesn't change."

Phoebe caught the edge in his voice and knew he got her wrong. She didn't bother explaining. "Got it."

She leaned over, grabbed his hand, and put the phone in his palm. "I'm gonna check on Grace."

Theodore watched her walk away, gripping the phone tight. Suddenly, Taylor's voice came from behind him. "Theodore, the paternity test results are solid, right?"

He turned and saw Taylor by the door. He pressed his lips together and said, "Lawton was there the whole time, keeping an eye on things. No issues."

Taylor looked unsteady, and Theodore quickly helped her. "You just had blood drawn. Let me help you lie down for a bit."

He guided Taylor back to the hospital room, sat her on the sofa, poured her some honey water, and sat down next to her.

Taylor held the cup. "How did this even happen?"

"I remember you and Dad saying Madison was put in an incubator right after she was born. Babies change a lot in a day. Maybe they got switched, and you didn't notice." Theodore guessed. Taylor stared at the floor, deep in thought. "No point digging into the past. The big thing now is how to tell Madison she's not a Reynolds and how to bring Grace back." That was the real issue.

Theodore found the whole situation a nightmare.

Now that they knew Grace was a Reynolds, they couldn't leave her out there. But what about Madison? How do they deal with her?

Taylor and Theodore exchanged looks, seeing the conflict and helplessness in each other's eyes.

"Mom, I'll talk to Madison. Blood or not, she's the sister I've watched grow up. I'll do everything I can to make this easier for her," Theodore said. Taylor shook her head. "Theodore, I'll talk to her. Our family's been through the wringer lately. One thing after another, it's just too much." Theodore gently patted Taylor's hand. "Mom, don't stress. I'm gonna check on Grace."

Even though Grace was practically a stranger to Theodore, they were blood. He couldn't just ignore her.

Taylor nodded. "Go on."

Downstairs in the general ward, Grace slowly opened her eyes. She felt like she'd been hit by a truck and put back together wrong. Everything hurt.

Grace groaned, staring at the pale ceiling. The beeping machines were driving her nuts, so she closed her eyes again.

Suddenly, a nasty, vicious face popped into her mind. Grace's eyes flew open, and she gasped for breath.

Madison wanted to kill her!

When Phoebe pushed the door open, she heard the heart monitor going nuts. She rushed over and saw Grace's wide-open eyes, her pupils not moving. Phoebe freaked out and hit the call button. "Grace, you okay?"

Grace's eyes moved a bit. Doctors and nurses rushed in, pushing Phoebe aside. They surrounded Grace, checking her out for what felt like forever.

Finally, the doctor took off his mask and walked over to Phoebe. "She's stable now. She had an arrhythmia, probably from being scared."

Phoebe let out a huge sigh of relief, her body going limp. Someone behind her caught her.

She turned and saw it was Theodore. She quickly stood up straight and nodded to the doctor. "Thanks."

"No problem. Her condition's still rough. She can't eat yet. Let her sleep more. When the anesthesia wears off, she'll be in a lot of pain. If she can't handle it, call a nurse for a sedative."

The doctor finished his instructions and left with the nurses.

Phoebe walked to the bedside, looking at Grace's pale face with sympathy. "How you feeling now?"

Grace stared at her. "Phoebe, you saved me again. I owe you big time."

"Don't be silly. Just get better." Phoebe took a tissue and wiped the tears from Grace's eyes.

Grace sniffled. "It's good to be alive."

Phoebe tried to keep it light. "First, get better. We'll deal with everything else later."

Grace seemed to catch something in Phoebe's tone. She stared at Theodore standing behind Phoebe. "Phoebe."

"Rest up and don't overthink," Phoebe said.

Grace closed her eyes. She remembered something and asked hoarsely, "Phoebe, do my parents know about my accident?"

Phoebe clenched her fist but answered honestly, "Yeah. Last night, when you were sent to surgery, the doctor needed a family member's signature. I went to find your dad."

"Did they come to see me?" Grace opened her eyes again and looked at Phoebe.

Phoebe didn't want to let Grace down, but she couldn't lie. "I didn't see them come down while I was there."

Grace felt a deep sadness. She bitterly pulled at her lips. "I get it. Phoebe, I'm tired. I wanna rest."

Phoebe comforted her, "Go to sleep."

Leaving the ward, Phoebe's heart was in knots. She looked at Theodore, who'd been silent the whole time, and couldn't help but feel disappointed. "I thought you'd say something to her."