Forbidden Passion
Chapter 579 Theodore Was Being Naughty

When Phoebe rolled back to Golden Apartment, Evelyn was already set, clutching a white cloth bag with Donovan's stuff. One look and Phoebe's heart just sank.

"Let's roll," Evelyn said, rocking a smoky gray down jacket, black scarf, and a mourning flower pinned to her arm. Evelyn brushed past Phoebe, heading straight out the door.

Phoebe hesitated for a sec, grabbed the mourning flower from the shoe cabinet, and hustled after her.

They got to the cemetery early. The sky was all gloomy, and the place was wrapped in fog, giving off major sad vibes.

Evelyn and Phoebe followed the cemetery staff to an old tombstone, where there was a photo of Harper. He was smiling broadly, his handsome face radiating warmth even in the fading light.

Next to him was an empty tombstone. Evelyn went over, placed Donovan's photo on it, and just like that, this tombstone had an owner.

Phoebe held a bouquet, bent down, and placed it in front of the tombstone, watching Evelyn put Donovan's stuff into the grave.

With everything done, Evelyn hunched over, covering her mouth and sobbing quietly, totally wrecked with grief.

Phoebe turned away, tears streaming down her face.

Phoebe thought, 'Donovan, rest easy. I'll take care of Mom, get justice for you, and make sure those who wronged you pay.'

Suddenly, a cool sensation hit her face it started raining out of nowhere.

Phoebe looked up, staring blankly at the sudden rain, wondering if Donovan was crying. A shadow suddenly appeared over her head.

Phoebe was startled and turned around. Theodore had somehow shown up behind her, holding an umbrella, looking at her with a complex expression.

Behind him, Taylor and Brandon stood with black umbrellas, and behind them were Christopher and the rest of the Reynolds family, except for Sarah. Evelyn was visibly taken aback. She wiped her tears and walked past Phoebe to Taylor and Brandon. "Taylor, Brandon, why are you here?"

"We came to see Donovan off, Evelyn. Sarah hasn't been well lately. Before we left, she specifically asked me to bow to Donovan on her behalf," Taylor said. "That's very kind of Sarah. We get it," Evelyn said.

No matter how long Theodore and Phoebe had been married, Evelyn always felt out of place around the Reynolds family and couldn't see herself as their equal. Taylor offered a few more comforting words, then walked to the new tombstone, placing a bouquet and bowing three times.

Next, it was Christopher and the others, including Grace, who had just come back to the Reynolds family.

After the ceremony, Grace stood next to Phoebe, seeing the sadness in Phoebe's eyes. Grace held her hand, "Phoebe, my condolences." Phoebe's tears fell again.

The rain got heavier, pounding on the umbrellas, and the distant rain curtain connected the gray sky with the hills in the suburbs. Theodore stood silently beside Phoebe, his gaze moving from the neatly arranged tombstones around them to Phoebe. Theodore, wearing a dark gray coat, had a small part of it wet from the rain. He was tall and leggy, yet still very handsome. Theodore handed the umbrella to Phoebe and stepped out into the pouring rain, solemnly bowing three times to Donovan. Phoebe was stunned for a moment, then quickly moved the black umbrella forward to shield him from the rain.

After paying their respects to Donovan, the group headed down the hill in the heavy rain. Phoebe still had to take Evelyn back to Golden Apartment, so she got into the car. The car window got a sudden knock. Phoebe turned her head and saw Theodore standing outside, rain hammering down on his black umbrella. He just stood there, staring at her.

Evelyn noticed Phoebe's confusion and nudged her. "Phoebe, Theodore looks like he wants to say something. Roll down the window."

Phoebe pressed her lips together, reached out, and rolled down the window. Theodore bent slightly, the rain and his voice slipping into the car together.

"Phoebe, it's a hassle staying at the hotel. Move back home. If you don't wanna see me, I can crash at West Mountain Villas," Theodore said.

Phoebe had a bad feeling the moment he started talking. She wanted to shut him up but was too late. She could feel Evelyn's eyes burning holes in her from the back seat. She shot him a glare, silently screaming, 'Are you doing this on purpose?'

Theodore looked all innocent.

Evelyn's voice cut through the tension, "Phoebe, why are you staying at a hotel? What's going on?"

Phoebe closed her eyes, knowing full well Theodore would pull a stunt like this. She should've driven off immediately.

Meanwhile, Theodore, in his fake-sympathetic tone, said to Evelyn, "Don't scold her. It's my fault for making her mad. I'm just worried the hotel's not safe."

Phoebe was speechless.

Theodore's tone was so insincere and hypocritical. She had no idea where he picked it up from.

Theodore had successfully put Phoebe in a tough spot. Judging by Evelyn's attitude, Phoebe would be going home tonight without him having to pick her up from the hotel.

He stepped back and earnestly reminded, "The rain's heavy, drive slow. Ollie and I will be waiting for you at home."

Phoebe was speechless.

She drove off, feeling Evelyn's gaze burning into her back. She gripped the steering wheel tightly.

'Theodore, you bastard!' she thought.

Evelyn glared at Phoebe, "Phoebe, what are you up to now? Running away from home? Do you think staying at a hotel is free?"

"Mom, I'm driving," Phoebe said helplessly.

Evelyn was fuming. If Phoebe wasn't driving, she would've slapped her. "Your hands are driving, but your ears aren't. You're moving back home today. Don't pick up bad habits and run away at every little thing." Phoebe gritted her teeth. Theodore really knew how to use Evelyn to force her hand.

Seeing Phoebe not responding, Evelyn angrily slapped the seat, "Did you hear me, Phoebe?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes. Not wanting to make Evelyn angrier, she reluctantly said, "Yes."

Evelyn spoke, "Later, we'll go to the hotel first. I need to see you check out and move your stuff back to Imperial Apartment, or I won't be at ease."

Evelyn knew Phoebe well. Phoebe would agree verbally, but once she dropped Evelyn off at Golden Apartment, she'd do as she pleased.

So Evelyn had to watch Phoebe move back home to be at ease.

Phoebe gripped the steering wheel tightly, as if she was gripping Theodore's neck, wishing she could twist it off.

"Got it," she muttered.

Phoebe wanted to pretend to comply but she couldn't. Evelyn watched her move back to Imperial Apartment and even warned her. "Phoebe, communication is key in resolving issues between spouses. Running away won't solve anything, understand?"

Phoebe nodded, just wanting Evelyn to leave quickly so she could find another hotel to stay in.

But then she heard Evelyn say, "I'll come by every day for a while. Don't get any funny ideas, understand?"

Phoebe was speechless.