Forbidden Passion
Chapter 560 You Only Appreciate When You Lose

Phoebe and Theodore's eyes locked for a split second before Theodore glanced away to check the road. Once he saw it was clear, he turned back. But this time, all he got was the cold shoulder-literally, just the back of Phoebe's head.

The ambulance rolled up to Horizon Wellness Hospital, and the medics hustled Evelyn onto a gurney, rushing her inside.

Phoebe trailed behind, watching as they wheeled Evelyn into a room packed with medical gear and started examining her, all calm and collected. Standing just outside the door, Phoebe couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene.

Her heart was pounding like a drum. She had no clue how long she stood there until a doctor came up to her. "Are you family?" the doctor asked. Phoebe snapped to attention. "Yeah, I'm her daughter."

"We did a full check-up. She's just super exhausted, which messed up her sleep. She's out cold now. We'll see if anything else pops up when she wakes," the doctor explained. Phoebe's eyes went wide. "Wait, so she didn't pass out from stress? She just... fell asleep?"

The doctor, seeing her shock, nodded. "Yep, that's the deal right now."

Phoebe was at a loss for words.

She nodded, feeling like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Got it. Should I get her admitted?"

"If you're worried, that's probably best," the doctor replied.

Phoebe glanced at Evelyn lying there, pinched the bridge of her nose, and said, "Alright, get the paperwork ready. I'll handle the fees."

The doctor quickly got the admission papers ready, and a nurse led Phoebe to complete the process. But then, a big hand snatched the documents from her.

Phoebe looked up to see a travel-worn Theodore. He was still in the coat from earlier, looking cool but clearly tired.

"I got this. You wait here," Theodore said, signaling the nurse to lead the way.

Phoebe watched him walk away, standing there like a statue. After a while, she finally moved and walked to the bedside.

She muttered, "With all this chaos, you can still sleep. I don't know if I should be impressed or just relieved."

Theodore quickly finished the paperwork and came back. The nurse moved Evelyn to a regular room upstairs and left after settling her in.

The room was super quiet. Phoebe and Theodore stood by the bed. She said, "My mom's fine. You can go."

"I'll stay with you," Theodore insisted.

Phoebe had been running around all day, walked in the cold for hours, and freaked out when Evelyn fainted. He couldn't just leave her alone. Phoebe turned to him, looking determined. "I don't need you. Please go."

"Phoebe!" Theodore frowned.

Phoebe looked up at him. "Mr. Reynolds, I really don't need you. Just let me be, okay?"

Theodore stayed silent.

He clenched his fists, watching her. She looked worn out, her eyes red and her face flushed.

He had noticed earlier when he took the papers from her that she was burning up.

Theodore suddenly reached out and slapped his hand on her forehead. His palm was burning hot. Phoebe jerked her head away in less than a second. She turned her back to him. "You should go."

Theodore closed his eyes, then opened them again. Phoebe's resistance to his touch and help made him feel powerless, a pain that was gut-wrenching. He grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around to face him. "Phoebe, you have a fever. Don't you get that?"

"I don't need your concern," Phoebe tried to push his hand away, but she was so weak it felt like a gentle nudge, no threat at all.

Holding back his anger, Theodore said, "I'm your husband. If I don't care for you, who will? Sit down and rest."

With that, he pulled her into his arms and walked towards the sofa.

Phoebe's frail body seemed like it would snap with a little force. Theodore's heart ached as he quickly reached the sofa and placed her on it.

He strode out of the ward to the nurse's station, grabbed a fever patch, and rushed back.

Phoebe sat on the sofa, dazed. Theodore sat beside her, opened the fever patch, and gently brushed aside her bangs to place it on her forehead. He looked down at Phoebe, who obediently closed her eyes. His hand slowly clenched, and his eyes filled with pain.

"Sleep for a bit. I'll be here. Nothing's gonna happen," he comforted.

Theodore lowered his head and kissed her lips. Her soft lips were as sweet as ever, with a faint fragrance that he found intoxicating. "Don't overthink. Just sleep," he continued.

He pulled her into his arms, his eyes filled with deep affection. "We'll talk about everything once you're better."

Tears slid down Phoebe's cheeks. She couldn't resist Theodore's tenderness, even though she resented him for pushing Donovan too hard.

If it weren't for the fifteen-day deadline, Donovan wouldn't have gone to that beach house party, and the accident wouldn't have happened.

Now, Donovan's remains were nowhere to be found; how could she and Evelyn accept this?

Phoebe didn't struggle. She was too tired. She just needed to rest for a bit, just a little bit, and then she'd pull herself together.

If Donovan's death was related to Theodore, no matter how much she loved him, she would end it. She couldn't be with the person who killed Donovan.

After Phoebe fell asleep, Theodore moved her head onto his lap, gazing down at her with intense focus.

Phoebe's eyelashes were long, thick, and curly, like a Barbie doll's. Her sleeping face was defenseless, evoking a sense of tenderness.

"Sleep. When you wake up, I'll give you an explanation," Theodore added.

The news of Donovan's accident and Evelyn's hospitalization spread fast. During breakfast, Brian mentioned it, and the fork in Edward's hand clattered to the floor.

The family looked at Edward. Delilah said, "When did this happen? We've watched Donovan grow up. How could he be dead just like that?"

"Apparently, it happened early the day before yesterday. The car flipped into the sea, and the coast guard was dispatched. They only recovered the car's wreckage. It's said the car exploded before it fell into the sea, making survival almost impossible," Brian said.

Delilah looked at Edward. "Edward, you and Brian should go to the hospital later to offer your condolences. See if there's anything you can do to help, and be sure to lend a helping hand."

Edward sprang to his feet, his face etched with worry. "I'll go right now."