Forbidden Passion
Chapter 551 Theodore's Secret Crush

Vanessa, juggling her takeout, stumbled upstairs and was totally out of it. She stopped in front of the elevator, and just as the doors slid open, out came Madison. They locked eyes, and Madison bolted over, wrapping Vanessa in a bear hug, bawling her eyes out.

"Vanessa, Theodore wants to kick me out," Madison sobbed.

Vanessa almost toppled over from the impact. She leaned on her crutch, barely keeping them both upright.

The hospital lobby was packed, and people were giving them side-eye.

Not wanting to make a scene, Vanessa gently patted Madison's back. "Madison, chill. Let's find somewhere to talk."

Madison nodded, wiping her tears, and helped Vanessa hobble to a quieter spot.

Finally, they found a secluded bench. Madison was still sniffling, looking like a wreck. Vanessa sighed, "You can cry all you want. I don't even have the luxury to cry."

Madison glanced at Vanessa, who seemed spaced out. She wiped her tears and asked, "Vanessa, what's up? Is Sophia's condition getting worse?"

"No," Vanessa said, staring at the emergency exit sign. The green light cast a weird glow in her eyes.

"I just went downstairs to grab a package and caught Theodore confessing to Phoebe." Vanessa let out a bitter laugh. "You know, I've been with Theodore for years, always the one pouring my heart out. He's never once said he likes me." Madison looked shocked, "I thought Theodore was into you."

"I thought so too, but turns out he never was." Vanessa's eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and defiance.

She was always the one telling Theodore she liked him; she loved him.

Every time she said those words, she hoped he'd say them back, but he never did.

Theodore didn't love her.

Theodore didn't love her with his words or his actions. So many times, when she wanted to get intimate, Theodore would always dodge at the last second.

Madison knew the sting of unrequited love. Her life felt like a mess; the guy she loved was head over heels for Phoebe.

And now, even her once-proud background had been trashed by Phoebe.

Thinking about it made Madison's blood boil. She wished she could rip Phoebe apart.

Madison tried to comfort her, "It's okay, Vanessa. Didn't you just say Theodore confessed to Phoebe? I never thought Theodore would like Phoebe. I mean, for the past three years, I always thought Theodore hated her." Vanessa was taken aback. She'd been so wrapped up in jealousy and anger that she missed the bigger picture. Now, thinking it over, it hit her.

Theodore seemed to be secretly in love.

Vanessa had always thought the bond between Theodore and Phoebe was unbreakable, but in reality, they had never laid their feelings bare. "Madison, you're my good luck charm." Vanessa suddenly hugged Madison tight. "Thanks for helping me see things clearly."

Madison was still puzzled, not sure why Vanessa was suddenly so upbeat. She called, "Vanessa."

Vanessa let go of Madison. "You're right. I still have a shot. I won't give up, and neither should you."

Madison felt a surge of hope. She clenched her fist, "Yeah, we won't give up."

Vanessa took the takeout back to the ward. Sophia was awake and noticed Vanessa's bright mood. She asked softly, "Vanessa, did something good happen?"

Vanessa plopped the takeout on the table and sank into the chair by the bed. "Mom, I always thought I was out of the game, but now I see I still got a shot." Sophia's brow furrowed. "Vanessa, what are you talking about? I'm lost here."

Vanessa shrugged. "You don't need to get it. I just realized love's a leveler. No matter how high and mighty you think you are, once you're in love, you're just another poor sap."

Sophia listened, thinking Vanessa had lost it from all the hospital stress. She coughed and said, "You should get back to work tomorrow. Theodore handed Queen Entertainment over to you. You need to show him what you're made of." "Yeah, I'll show him just how awesome I am," Vanessa said, brimming with confidence.

Since Theodore and Phoebe hadn't spilled their feelings to each other, Vanessa figured she had plenty of chances to mess things up between them.

Sure, Theodore was all about Phoebe right now, but making Phoebe back off would be a piece of cake. After all, Phoebe had no clue about Theodore's feelings.

Even fate seemed to be on Vanessa's side. She was sure Phoebe would bail if she knew Theodore was still hung up on Vanessa.

Sophia watched Vanessa's face twist into a sinister grin and shivered. "Vanessa, what's going on in that head of yours?"

Vanessa snapped back and smiled at her mom. "Mom, don't you like Theodore? I'll make him your son-in-law." Sophia was left speechless.

Time flew by, and soon Brandon was on the mend. He could get out of bed and move around. Taylor was there, helping him as they strolled down the hallway outside the ward. Brandon still "couldn't" remember the past few years, playing dumb every day. Taylor saw through it but didn't call him out, keeping the peace between them. But the charade couldn't last forever.

One afternoon, the weather was perfect, and Brandon wanted to go outside and soak up some sun. Taylor knew he must be going stir-crazy stuck in the ward.

So she helped him bundle up in his down jacket, hat, and scarf, and then wheeled him downstairs.

The garden was huge, with an artificial lake. The temperature had been freezing lately, and the lake was iced over, though the ice wasn't thick.

The sunlight reflecting off the ice was blinding.

Brandon and Taylor walked along the lake. "Brandon, you've been sick, and there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Now that you're better, I think it's time." Brandon's heart skipped a beat.

"What is it?" he asked.

Taylor stopped and looked up at him. Neither of them looked the same as they did years ago. Time had left its mark on both of them over the past 30 years. They were both old.

Brandon felt a knot in his stomach under Taylor's gaze, worried she was going to bring up divorce again. Just as he was about to fake another illness, Taylor said, "Don't even try it. We've been married for 30 years. I know all your tricks." Brandon was speechless.

"When did you figure it out?" he asked.

Ignoring his guilty look, Taylor continued, "I know you too well. What I have to tell you is important, so brace yourself."

Brandon was about to say he didn't want to brace for anything when he saw Phoebe walking towards them, supporting a stranger.

His eyes lit up, and he quickly waved for Phoebe to come over.