Forbidden Passion
Chapter 597 I Don't Like You Anymore

In the next few days, Phoebe never saw Theodore when she was awake, but when she was out cold, he'd sneak in and just watch over her, all quiet-like.

The Reynolds family dropped by the hospital a few times to check on Phoebe. She wasn't much for chatting, and it was clear she was feeling pretty down. After that, they stopped coming around, letting her chill and get better. Word about Phoebe's injury got out, and Evan snuck into the hospital to see her, dodging the paparazzi like a pro. When he saw how rough she looked, he almost didn't recognize her.

"What the heck happened to you?" Evan was floored. Was this really the Phoebe he knew?

Phoebe leaned back against the headboard, still looking pale, but definitely better than a few days ago.

With her eyes downcast, Phoebe asked softly, "How are Claire and Noah doing at your company?"

"You left them with me, so of course, I'm taking care of them. But seriously, you're still worrying about others?" Evan shot her an annoyed look.

The entertainment and business worlds were all tangled up. Theodore had raised a cool five hundred million bucks, not giving a damn about Phoebe's life to save Vanessa. This love triangle drama was all anyone could talk about. Evan had heard the gossip too, but the version he got was all twisted. Rumor had it that Phoebe used the kid to force Theodore and Vanessa to split and marry her.

But the kid Phoebe was carrying never made it. Over the years, Phoebe had been clinging to Theodore, refusing to divorce, sticking to the "if I can't have him, no one can" mantra. She was like a clown stuck between Theodore and Vanessa. Now, Phoebe and Vanessa got kidnapped at the same time, and Theodore didn't even blink before choosing to save Vanessa.

This epic love story could move mountains, but Phoebe didn't get taken by the kidnappers and somehow survived, still playing the third wheel between Theodore and Vanessa. It was both sad and infuriating.

Phoebe's lips twitched, "I'm fine; I didn't kick the bucket."

Evan was speechless, glaring at her, "You look like crap. Phoebe, when's the last time you looked in a mirror?"

Phoebe shot back, "Why should I look in the mirror?"

"Look in the mirror and see this..." Evan stopped, realizing cussing wasn't his style, "Forget it, just get better soon. I still like the sharp and badass version of you."

Phoebe turned her head to stare out the window, her gaze distant, "Don't worry about me, I'll bounce back."

As long as she was breathing, she wouldn't be beaten. She just needed some time to heal.

Evan had a meeting in the afternoon, so he didn't stick around long. His assistant nudged him, and he left the hospital, leaving the ward in eerie silence.

After a bit, there was a knock on the door, a knock so unique it had to be Theodore.

The door creaked open, and a tall figure stood there.

Phoebe lifted her eyes, looking at him with a strange, indifferent gaze.

Meeting her eyes, Theodore suddenly felt a void in his heart. That day, Phoebe had looked at him with pure hatred and resentment, and he thought that was the worst it could get.

But now, Phoebe's eyes held no hatred, no resentment, no expectations, no disappointment-nothing. She looked at him like he was just some random stranger.

Theodore clenched his fists and slowly walked in, his eyes landing on her still pale cheeks. "Phoebe, don't look at me like that. I can't handle it."

Phoebe's expression shifted slightly, her gaze moving to the empty space behind Theodore.

Her tone was calm, "I don't blame you, really."

Theodore froze. He stared at Phoebe, knowing she was responding to his plea for forgiveness from that day. His whole body trembled.

"Do you really not blame me?" he asked.

Phoebe nodded calmly, "Yeah, I thought you'd leave me there to fend for myself, but you still came. Thanks. Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if you hadn't."

Theodore's hands clenched at his sides, his eyes reddening. "I should've come to save you first."

In his mind, he thought, 'I was just delayed by some things. If I could go back to that day, I wouldn't hesitate and would stick to my initial choice.'

"It's fine," Phoebe shook her head slowly, her tone light as if she had completely figured it out. "To you, I've always been a burden. You had to marry me when I was pregnant, and you had to endure being with me for four years. You must've been tired of me long ago. I'm really grateful you came to save me. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to repay your kindness. I'm sorry!"

Phoebe bowed to Theodore with guilt, her tone calm from beginning to end, without any hint of anger, as if she were just stating a fact. Without any expectations, there would naturally be no complaints or grievances.

Theodore's heart finally sank into the abyss.

He had always hoped that time would heal everything. When Phoebe recovered and was willing to open her heart, he would tell her how important she was to him.

He naively thought they still had plenty of time, but in reality, Phoebe's heart had long closed off to him.

"Phoebe, I never thought of you as a burden. I never felt disgusted being married to you. On the contrary, these years with you have been the happiest days of my life. I'm sorry for bullying you before, making you think I didn't love you." Phoebe looked at him quietly, her eyes showing no emotion, as if his words could no longer reach her heart. "You don't need to apologize to me. I understand your choice. It's me who has been a burden to you." Theodore's heart ached as if cut by a knife. He forced himself to calm down. "I know you're still mad at me, that's why you're trying to upset me, right?"

Phoebe's tone was helpless. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just figured things out."

Theodore suddenly felt a sense of panic. He stared at Phoebe without blinking, his tone so light it seemed it would drift away with the wind. "What did you figure out?"

"We were a mistake from the beginning. Now it's time to correct it. Let's get a divorce. You let me go, and I'll let you go." Phoebe's words fell into Theodore's ears one by one, like sharp needles piercing his heart. The sword hanging over his head finally fell.

Theodore was in unbearable pain.

He grabbed Phoebe's hand, his eyes filled with agony. "Phoebe, you said you liked me. You can't take it back."

Phoebe didn't pull her hand away. She looked at Theodore's pained expression with indifference and said calmly, "But I don't like you anymore."