Forbidden Passion
Chapter 606 What I Give You, You Must Accept

Theodore's face softened up, and he started being all gentle. As he dabbed ointment on Phoebe's wounds, he blew on them, trying to ease her pain. After patching up her back, he just sat there by the bed, staring at her sleeping face like it was the only thing keeping him sane.

After a bit, he whispered, almost begging.

"Phoebe, don't take back the love you gave me. We've got a whole lifetime ahead. I can spend forever making it up to you. Just don't leave me." This was the only time he let his guard down, showing all his hurt. He held her hand and buried his face in her palm.

Soon enough, her palm was soaked with his tears.

"I'm sorry," he kept saying.

Phoebe was out cold, sometimes letting out a little sob, totally unaware of Theodore's guilt trip.

Meanwhile, Taylor was in the car, watching the scenery blur by. Her reflection in the window showed just how troubled she was.

Phoebe not being able to have kids was a shocker, and with everything Phoebe had told her, it was clear she had a deep grudge against Theodore.

From Phoebe's side, it made sense. That day, Theodore chose to save Vanessa first, leaving Phoebe behind to suffer, waiting for help while seriously hurt. Phoebe didn't know if she'd make it until help came. Her future looked bleak, and fear was eating away at her.

If it were her, Taylor wouldn't forgive easily either. After all, in the face of life and death, it was clear whether one was important or not.

Taylor sighed as the car pulled into the estate and stopped by the fountain. She got out, grabbing her bag.

Sarah was in the yard with a servant. Seeing Taylor, she leaned on her cane, waiting for her to come over. "How's Phoebe?" Sarah asked.

Knowing Phoebe had PTSD and screamed every night, Sarah thought it was tough on her and exhausting for Theodore, who stayed by her side. Taylor bit her lip, holding back from telling Sarah about Phoebe's infertility and her divorce demands.

Despite Sarah's kind look, she was all about family lineage. If she knew Phoebe couldn't have kids, she'd be the first to push for a divorce. "She's doing better. Theodore got a classmate to give her some counseling. She seems be coping and didn't scream last night," Taylor said. Sarah looked at Taylor's tired face. "If she's better, why do you look like this? Something else happen?"

Taylor hesitated. "Please, don't ask. Let's go inside. Looks like it's gonna rain."

"Yeah, this winter's been all rain and snow, making the house feel gloomy," Sarah said, slowly heading towards the villa.

"By the way, did you talk to Theodore about hosting a party? The house feels dead. A party would liven things up," Sarah added.

Taylor thought about how swamped Theodore was and said, "No need to bug him about it. I'll handle it. He and Phoebe just need to show up."

"Alright then, put in some extra effort. Grace is no longer a young girl; maybe the party will help her find a good match," Sarah said as they stepped into the villa. Thunder rumbled, and soon, heavy rain started pouring down. The rain kept going all night and into the next morning, showing no signs of stopping.

Phoebe slowly opened her eyes after sleeping for what felt like forever. She felt weak all over, but at least the wounds on her back were treated and didn't hurt as much.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, wondering how her life had spiraled into this mess.

If she had known this marriage would be a trap, she would've never married Theodore. He had locked her up in the name of love.

And she, unbelievably, had put up with it for so many years.

No more!

She couldn't keep falling into this pit. She wanted a divorce, to leave Theodore. She didn't care about his love anymore and didn't want to stay by his side.

Something slid down her chest, and she noticed the necklace around her neck.

It was the ring Theodore had bought for her in Arotic Village. After her finger swelling went down, Theodore seemed to have forgotten about the ring and never asked her to wear it. Phoebe struggled to sit up and yanked the necklace off. The ring fell into her palm.

Theodore wore the matching ring on his left ring finger and had never taken it off. Every time she saw it, she wanted to ask him.

Why did he always wear it? Did he have even a little bit of affection for her? Was being married to her not entirely unpleasant for him?

But Phoebe didn't dare to ask; she feared she would only humiliate herself.

In fact, Phoebe had secretly worn the ring while bathing. It was a size too big for her finger and wouldn't stay on.

So from the beginning, their relationship was doomed, like this oversized plain ring.

Phoebe got out of bed, clutching the ring, and walked barefoot to the floor-to-ceiling window. The outside was gray, and the sound of rain hitting the ground was loud. She opened a small window, and the cold air rushed in.

Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Theodore stood there with a tray holding a bowl of porridge.

When Theodore looked up, he saw Phoebe standing by the window, her hair blowing in the wind. She was holding a familiar chain, her hand out the window. Theodore quickly walked over. "Phoebe, what are you doing?"

Phoebe didn't turn around. The rain hit her hand, and the silver chain swayed in the wind. She threw the chain out.

Theodore then saw it was the ring he had bought for her in Arotic Village, which she had always worn around her neck. Now she had thrown it away.

Theodore's face turned pale, and the porridge in his hand spilled onto the floor, but he didn't care. He yanked Phoebe away, trying to snatch the chain back. But it was too late.

Theodore watched helplessly as the small ring slipped off the chain and disappeared into the rain. His heart ached.

He turned and glared at Phoebe, asking, "Why?"

Phoebe's shoulder hit the wall, her face pale, and she looked at him with mockery. "I don't want it anymore. I don't want anything you gave me."

"You!"

Theodore was so infuriated he felt like strangling Phoebe. He stared at her for a long time before rushing out of the bedroom. "I'll find it, Phoebe. What I gave you, you must accept!"