Forbidden Passion
Chapter 559 Pain

Theodore glared at Phoebe, his heart practically on fire. She thought he offed Donovan, and that stung worse than her morning jabs. He got it-Donovan just bit the dust, and Phoebe was losing it, lashing out at anyone in her path.

But understanding it didn't make it hurt any less.

Did Phoebe really think he was that low?

He sighed, "Phoebe, I know you're messed up right now. Say whatever you want, I won't snap. Let's just head back."

Phoebe turned away, the night breeze tossing her hair around, making her look all fragile and lost. "I need to go to Golden Apartment." Evelyn still had no clue about Donovan.

The thought of breaking the news to Evelyn made her heart ache. If she couldn't handle it, how would Evelyn?

Without another word, Phoebe started walking off.

Theodore grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. "I'll take you to Golden Apartment."

"No, I got this." Phoebe slipped out of his grip and slowly walked into the night.

Theodore just stood there, hands hanging, watching her fade into the darkness, feeling a gnawing unease.

He had a gut feeling Donovan's death had driven a wedge between him and Phoebe that couldn't be fixed.

Pulling out his phone, he called Lawton. "Lawton, dig into everyone Donovan met after he got back to Kedora, and every place he hit up before the accident. I need every detail."

"Got it."

Phoebe wandered down the busy street. The night wind was freezing, cutting through her like a knife.

But she didn't grab a cab. She was scared to face Evelyn, scared to break the news about Donovan. She wanted to put it off as long as she could.

But every road has an end. After four hours of walking, she stood at the entrance of Golden Apartment, knowing she couldn't dodge it any longer.

It had been a day and a night since Donovan's accident. She couldn't keep it from Evelyn anymore.

Phoebe raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open. Evelyn, purse in hand, was about to head out.

Seeing Phoebe, she froze. Then, noticing her bedraggled state, she pulled her inside.

Evelyn grabbed Phoebe's hand, feeling how icy it was.

She quickly dragged her in. "Phoebe, your hands are like ice! And your clothes are soaked. Why didn't you use an umbrella in this weather?"

Evelyn pushed her inside, stripped off her wet jacket, and wrapped her in a blanket. "You must be freezing. Look at your face, it's blue."

Phoebe stayed silent, watching Evelyn fuss over her. Evelyn went to the kitchen, poured a cup of hot water, and handed it to her. "Hold this, warm up your hands. You know your health isn't great, and the doc said not to catch a cold. Why don't you ever listen?"

Phoebe lowered her head, her eyes welling up, tears streaming down.

She used to get so annoyed with Evelyn's nagging, but now it was the sweetest sound. Every word was filled with love.

Seeing the water stains on the floor in front of Phoebe, Evelyn's voice softened. "Phoebe, why are you crying? Did Theodore mess with you?"

Phoebe shook her head.

"Good, then why the tears?" Evelyn handed her a tissue. "Come on, don't cry. We can handle anything."

Phoebe whimpered and then just lost it, bawling her eyes out.

Evelyn was taken aback, seeing Phoebe shaking from crying so hard. Worried the hot water might spill and burn her, she quickly took the cup and set it on the coffee table.

Seeing Phoebe crying like a little kid, Evelyn leaned over and hugged her, gently patting her back. "Alright, alright, don't cry."

The softer Evelyn's voice got, the more Phoebe's heart broke. She clung to Evelyn, sobbing. "Mom, Donovan's dead."

Evelyn froze, a loud ringing in her ears. She pushed Phoebe away and stared into her eyes. "What did you just say?"

Phoebe closed her eyes, trying to escape, tears streaming down. "He had a car accident at dawn. Donovan fell into the sea. The cops only found his car, not him. They said he's dead." Evelyn slapped Phoebe, turning her head to the side. She jumped up. "What kind of sick joke is this? Donovan can't be dead. You're lying, right?"

Phoebe's cheek went numb from the slap, burning with pain, but she felt a weird sense of relief inside.

"Mom, I wouldn't joke about something like this." Phoebe couldn't go on. Evelyn wailed.

She cried, "I don't believe it. When Donovan left yesterday morning, he said once he closed this deal, he'd make a ton of money, buy me a big house, marry a good wife, and give me a bunch of grandkids." Phoebe held Evelyn, who was collapsing to the floor, her heart breaking.

Evelyn's voice was sharp, her tear-filled eyes glaring at Phoebe. "You're lying, right? Donovan can't be dead. He just can't be."

Phoebe, heartbroken, said hoarsely, "If my lie could bring Donovan back, I'd admit it in a heartbeat. But, Mom, please don't cry. Donovan wouldn't want you to be sad."

Evelyn suddenly let out a high-pitched scream, closed her eyes, and collapsed silently to the floor.

Phoebe knelt beside Evelyn, looking at her empty hands, her heart nearly stopping with fear. She quickly checked Evelyn's condition.

Feeling Evelyn's pulse still beating, Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief but didn't dare move her. She quickly called 911.

Theodore showed up with the paramedics. They placed Evelyn on a stretcher. Phoebe had already grabbed Evelyn's documents and hurriedly followed them out the door. She didn't even glance at Theodore.

The ambulance sped towards the hospital, Phoebe sitting inside, looking at Evelyn's pale face and the tears at the corners of her eyes, feeling a mix of pain and sorrow.

At that moment, Phoebe wished she had been the one who fell into the sea last night. If Donovan were still alive, he would have comforted Evelyn and eased her grief. Phoebe took a deep breath and looked out the window, immediately spotting the black SUV following closely beside the ambulance.

Theodore gripped the steering wheel, the window half-down, the night wind messing up his hair. When Phoebe looked over, he happened to look back at her.