Forbidden Passion
Chapter 565 Wasted Love

After listening to the recording, Phoebe just stood there, dead silent. She got up and started to leave, but Ruby grabbed her wrist.

Ruby said, "Phoebe, it was Theodore who set the trap. What are you gonna do about it?"

Phoebe shook off Ruby's hand and gave her a cold stare. "Ruby, this is between him and me. And don't think blaming Theodore is gonna clear your name or make me side with you. I'm not that dumb." Ruby looked all disappointed. "Why don't you believe I really care about Donovan?"

"Do you actually care about him?" Phoebe scoffed. "Then tell me, why did Donovan argue with you before the accident?"

Knowing Donovan's romantic nature, he wouldn't have argued with Ruby unless she did something to upset him.

Ruby bit her lower lip, unable to speak.

Seeing this, Phoebe was utterly disappointed. "Ruby, go back and tell the people behind you that if I find out Donovan's death is related to you, I won't let you off."

With that, Phoebe turned and left.

Donovan, did you see that? This was the woman you liked. You barely knew Ruby and wanted to give her your heart, but what about Ruby?

Ruby was just using you to hurt me.

If you knew all this, would you regret giving your heart to someone unworthy?

Ruby watched Phoebe's departing figure, clenched her fists. After a long moment, she relaxed her grip and gently touched her flat belly. Ruby thought, 'Baby, even if Phoebe won't avenge your Dad, I will.'

The phone on the table suddenly vibrated. Ruby stared at the caller ID on the screen. She had done countless wrongs for Vanessa in the past.

Now that she had awakened, she had already lost the most important person in her life, yet Vanessa still held her weaknesses.

The phone kept buzzing until Vanessa realized Ruby wouldn't answer. Only then did she stop.

A few seconds later, a text message came through.

Vanessa: [Donovan just died, and I understand if you're not in the mood to take my call. But Ruby, you must handle what I asked you to do. Otherwise, with Donovan dead and Phoebe still alive, you wouldn't want her to know about your sordid deeds, would you?]

Ruby's chest heaved with anger. She grabbed the phone and smashed it to the ground, sending pieces flying.

The café patrons looked at Ruby in surprise, as if they were seeing a madwoman.

With a fierce glare, Ruby stared back at each onlooker and snapped, "What are you looking at? Never seen someone lose their temper?"

She picked up the phone's remnants, grabbed her bag, and left.

Phoebe went to the supermarket, bought groceries, and returned to Golden Apartment. She prepared dinner and went to Donovan's room, the door still closed.

Phoebe knocked on the door, but there was no response for a long time. She turned the doorknob and entered.

The room was dimly lit, and she could vaguely see someone sitting on the bed. The light from the window cast a shadow on Evelyn's hunched back, making her look lonely and desperate.

Phoebe walked over slowly, squatted beside Evelyn's legs, and rested her head on Evelyn's lap, speaking softly, "Mom, come out and eat something."

Evelyn remained silent for a long time.

A faint shadow of sadness covered Phoebe's heart. She looked up and saw the tears glistening on Evelyn's face.

Her heart ached. "Mom, please, let Donovan rest in peace, okay?"

Evelyn didn't say a word, just kept crying her eyes out. She started wailing like a mom who'd lost her baby.

Her heart-wrenching cries filled the room, making everyone who heard them feel the pain.

Phoebe knelt on the carpet, not even trying to comfort Evelyn anymore. She knew every word would just cut deeper.

After what felt like forever, Evelyn finally stopped crying. She was so worn out and said in a raspy voice, "You go out. I want to stay here with him." Phoebe took a deep breath, pushed herself up from the floor, and left Donovan's room.

She walked into the living room and collapsed onto the sofa. Even those few steps felt like walking on broken glass.

She sat there, staring blankly at the empty room. Every corner had memories of Donovan, but now, she didn't have a brother anymore.

The next day, Phoebe woke up on the sofa with a pounding headache. She smelled porridge and sat up quickly.

Evelyn came out of the kitchen, startled by Phoebe's sudden move. "What's wrong? Bad dream?"

Phoebe stared at her blankly. Evelyn's eyes were swollen, and she looked a bit out of it, but better than yesterday. Phoebe said, "No."

Evelyn seemed relieved. "Good. Wash up and eat something before work. You don't need to stay with me." Phoebe hesitated. "But..."

"Donovan's gone, but we have to keep living. We can't die with him. Go on, do what you need to do. I'll visit the cemetery this afternoon." Evelyn's voice cracked a bit. Phoebe clenched her fists. She still couldn't accept Donovan's death, but Evelyn was already thinking about the cemetery. "I'll go with you," she said.

"No need. If I can't handle this, what can I do? You go to work. Don't waste your time on this." Evelyn turned back to the kitchen. Phoebe watched her mom's back. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting Evelyn's new gray hairs. During breakfast, Phoebe couldn't help but say, "Mom, let me go with you. Let's find a nice place. I still have some money."

"No. I'll go alone." Evelyn saw Phoebe was about to argue and said, "Just let me do this. Consider it my final send-off for Donovan." Phoebe's eyes filled with tears. She lowered her head, sniffled, and said nothing more. After breakfast, she went to work.

Sometimes Phoebe felt selfish, knowing Donovan's car accident wasn't just an accident, but she didn't have the guts to tell Evelyn the truth.

Better to let Evelyn think it was an accident than live with hate forever.

When Phoebe got to the office, Carol and the others were shocked. News of Donovan's accident had already spread.

Carol cautiously watched Phoebe, swallowing her words of comfort. Matters of life and death were beyond the understanding of those not directly involved.

As Phoebe walked into the office, her eyes met Theodore's from across the room. Lawton was standing in front of the desk, looking like he was reporting something. Seeing Phoebe, Theodore gestured for Lawton to leave.