Forbidden Passion
Chapter 546 Reunion

Grace's eyes were all puffy and red, and she was biting her lip so hard it looked like it might bleed. She'd been a mess ever since she overheard Mason and Alva's chat last night. Total letdown. Phoebe chimed in, "Mr. Sullivan, the doc said Grace needs to chill and rest. If you got something to say, save it for later."

Mason snapped, "You nosy woman, I'm talking to my daughter. Who do you think you are, butting in?" Phoebe shot him a cold look, "Mr. Sullivan, want me to repeat what you said to me last night to Grace?"

Mason was so mad he was speechless for a sec. Then he huffed, "Fine, I'm out. Grace, take care. I'll be back."

He stormed out of the hospital room, almost knocking into Riley, who was coming in with a thermos. Mason muttered some curses as he left. "What a jerk," Riley muttered.

Riley knocked and walked in when she heard Phoebe's voice. She saw Phoebe sitting by the bed, keeping an eye on a young girl.

"Phoebe, thank God it's not you who's sick. I was worried," Riley said.

Phoebe got up, "Riley, what are you doing here?"

"Mrs. Reynolds sent me with some food. I thought you were the one who was sick. This girl is really pretty," Riley said, eyeing Grace curiously. Grace forced a smile but stayed quiet.

Phoebe asked, "How's Dad doing?"

Riley shrugged, "He's okay, just acting weird. I didn't dare ask Mrs. Reynolds about it. Phoebe, this family's been through so much crap lately."

"It'll pass. Riley, hand me the thermos. I'll eat later," Phoebe said, reaching for it.

Riley handed it over quickly. She lingered for a moment, "Phoebe, I gotta head back. Mrs. Reynolds is waiting."

"Okay."

After Riley left, Phoebe put the thermos on the bedside table. She looked at Grace, "You hungry? The doc said you can't eat yet."

Grace shook her head, "Phoebe, how can people change so fast? My parents used to treat me so well. Ever since Madison showed up, even though she's a total troublemaker, they don't say a word against her." Phoebe sighed, "Don't overthink it. Just focus on getting better."

"I'm just so hurt," Grace closed her eyes, tears streaming down, "To them, I'll always be an outsider."

Phoebe got it. Years ago, Mason and Alva had swapped Grace and Madison. The Reynolds family unknowingly took Madison in and raised her as their own.

But the Sullivan family always knew Grace wasn't really theirs. They could never treat her like their own.

Grace must've gone through hell with the Sullivans. Now that she knew the truth, it was no wonder she was heartbroken.

"Last night, Mr. Reynolds took your and Taylor's samples for a DNA test. The results came back this morning. You are indeed a Reynolds. Once you're back with them, no one will dare to mess with you," Phoebe said. Phoebe had planned to let Taylor break the news, but she couldn't stand seeing Grace so down and decided to tell her herself.

"Phoebe, they all know, don't they?" Grace asked.

The Reynolds family knew who she was, but only Phoebe was there for her. It was pretty clear she wasn't exactly getting a warm welcome from them either.

Phoebe, worried Grace might spiral, quickly said, "Grace, you lost a ton of blood last night. Do you know who donated for you?"

Before Grace could even respond, Phoebe continued.

"It was Taylor. Even though she missed out on raising you, knowing there was even a tiny chance you were her daughter, she still stepped up. So, you're not alone, got it?"

Grace was floored. Just then, the hospital room door swung open, and in walked Taylor and Theodore. The moment Taylor saw Grace, she started crying. "Sweetheart, you're finally awake. Now I can breathe easy," Taylor said, rushing to the bedside. She wanted to hug Grace but seemed unsure how. Grace stared at Taylor, speechless. Taylor looked exhausted and pale, probably from the blood donation, with dark circles under her eyes. But Taylor was still stunning, elegant as ever.

Grace tried to speak, but the word "Mom" just wouldn't come out. Her mouth felt clumsy, and the frustration made her eyes well up with tears. Taylor gently took Grace's hand, "No rush. Call me when you're ready. Don't force it."

Grace never expected Taylor to acknowledge her. Not only that, but Taylor had also donated blood to her. "I'm sorry I let you down."

"Silly girl, it's us who failed you. We didn't catch the mistake twenty years ago, leaving you out there. Once you're better, come home with me, okay?" Taylor said, choking up. Grace felt warmth spreading from their clasped hands to her heart, filling her with a sense of belonging, "Okay."

"Good girl."

Phoebe stood by, watching the reunion, tears streaming down her face.

Finally, Grace's suffering seemed to be ending.

Phoebe, having stayed up all night, felt dizzy and swayed. Theodore caught her just in time.

Phoebe tried to pull away but couldn't, her head pounding.

Seeing Phoebe's pale face, Theodore said to Taylor, "Mom, Phoebe hasn't rested all night. I'll take her home. A nurse will look after Grace."

Taylor wiped her tears, "You two go ahead. The hospital has me and the nurse. You don't need to come every day. Take care of what you need to."

"Okay." Theodore replied, then without another word, scooped Phoebe up and walked out of the room.

Jack was waiting at the hospital entrance. Seeing Theodore carrying Phoebe, he quickly opened the back door.

Theodore got in with Phoebe in his arms, and the door closed behind them. Jack hurried to the driver's seat, starting the car and heading to the Imperial Apartment. Phoebe was still mad at Theodore. She tried to move off his lap but was held tightly, "Don't move."

"Let me go. This is awkward," Phoebe said, feeling super uncomfortable being held like a baby.

Theodore frowned, "What would make you comfortable, like this?"

With that, Theodore positioned Phoebe to straddle his lap, facing him, and pressed her head to his shoulder. His dominant attitude left her no room to refuse or protest. Phoebe was speechless.

This position was even more embarrassing. She thought to herself, 'Is Theodore trying to kill her with embarrassment?'