Forbidden Passion
Chapter 609 You Are My Life

Theodore was chillin' by the bed, just staring at Phoebe. He knew she wasn't really asleep, but he kept his distance, not wanting to pass his cold to her. "Riley said you ain't eating," Theodore said. "What do you want? I'll whip it up for you."

Phoebe stayed quiet.

Theodore let out a soft sigh, "You can be mad at me all you want, but don't mess with your health. You're the one who's gonna suffer."

Phoebe rolled over, showing him her back.

"Phoebe, if you think starving yourself is gonna make me divorce you, think again. You know how stubborn I am. Not eating is only gonna hurt you." Theodore stared at her back for a while, then coughed and left the room. Once the door shut, Theodore leaned against the wall, coughing like crazy, tasting blood in his throat.

His words were tough, but inside, he was hurting bad.

Had he really pushed Phoebe this far? She was willing to do anything to get away from him. If he didn't let go, what would she do next?

Using the wall for support, Theodore made his way downstairs.

In the kitchen, he put on a mask and started cooking.

After finishing it, he went back to the bedroom, set the tray on the nightstand, and half-knelt on the bed to look at her. "Phoebe, I made your favorite. Come on, eat a little." Phoebe didn't move.

Theodore reached out to lift her up, but she started struggling like crazy. Scared of hurting her and reopening her wounds, he let go.

She fell back onto the bed, looking stunned.

Theodore quickly tried to help her, but she slapped his hand away, glaring at him with cold hatred. "I won't eat. Take it away."

Theodore exhaled shakily, covering his burning eyes with his hand. After a moment, he lowered it.

"Please, let me feed you," he pleaded.

He picked up the bowl, "Come on, open up."

Phoebe slapped the spoon out of his hand.

Theodore's eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at her in pain.

"I know I've been a jerk. You can hit me, curse me, just don't do this to yourself. I can't handle it," he confessed, his voice heavy with regret. "Let me go!" Phoebe demanded.

"You know that's not happening, Phoebe. You're my life. From the moment I married you four years ago, I never thought of letting you go," Theodore said, his gaze darkening.

He had done so much to get her. Even when he hated her the most, he never thought of leaving her. How could he now?

Phoebe closed her eyes in despair, her tone resolute, "Then I'll only leave you a corpse."

Theodore's pupils contracted sharply. Seeing her determined look, his hand clenched into a fist at his side.

He could feel the growing distance between them, but he was powerless to change anything, only able to keep her by his side.

Theodore thought that time would heal everything and rekindle Phoebe's love for him.

As long as he didn't let go, they'd eventually get through this and things would get better.

But Theodore had no clue there was no future for him and Phoebe.

By day three of Phoebe's hunger strike, Theodore had tried everything to get her to eat, but nothing worked. He watched helplessly as she became gaunt and frail, feeling totally useless. Seeing this, Riley, worried that Theodore's obsession might lead to something tragic, quickly called Taylor to fill her in.

Taylor rushed over and found Theodore sitting by the bed, watching over Phoebe, who looked even worse than a few days ago.

Phoebe hadn't had a drop of water in days, her lips were ghostly pale. Since last night, she'd been sleeping more and more.

Truth was, Phoebe was beyond starving, but she'd rather die than stay with Theodore and keep hating him.

Taylor's heart broke seeing Phoebe like this. "Phoebe, why are you doing this to yourself?"

Phoebe closed her eyes. After days without food, even talking was exhausting, so she just turned her face away.

Taylor patted Theodore, signaling him to leave.

Theodore didn't budge. He'd been fasting along with Phoebe for the past three days, feeling the same hunger pains, and it made him even more heartbroken for what she was going through. Phoebe's wounds hadn't healed yet. What if she starved herself into something worse?

Taylor's eyes were sharp. "Theodore, let me talk to Phoebe. You being here just makes it worse for her."

Theodore pressed his lips together, looking at Phoebe quietly for a moment before getting up to leave.

Once the bedroom door closed, Taylor sat by the bed. "Phoebe, you're smart. I know you're hurting yourself to force Theodore to let go because you can't live with him anymore." Taylor paused before continuing, "But don't you think it's a waste? You've taught him how to love, only to push him away and let someone else benefit. Are you okay with that?" Taylor's words hit home. Phoebe's eyes burned, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Mom, please don't try to convince me," Phoebe replied.

Taylor sighed, "I know you won't listen to me now, but think about it. If you really get divorced, the Reynolds family will never accept you again." Phoebe's eyelashes trembled slightly.

She knew Taylor was pressuring her, but all she wanted was to leave. She firmly believed that after divorcing Theodore, she'd have no more ties to him.

"I've made up my mind. I want a divorce!" Phoebe insisted.

Taylor looked at her quietly for a long time, then spoke helplessly, "Alright, I promise you. I'll convince Theodore to let you go, but you have to eat something, okay?" Phoebe opened her eyes, looking at Taylor. "As long as he signs the divorce papers, I'll eat."

Taylor pressed her lips together. Phoebe had left herself no way out. But she couldn't just watch Theodore drive Phoebe to death.

"Alright." Taylor got up and went out. Theodore was leaning against the wall. Seeing her come out, he immediately stood up, only to be slapped hard by Taylor.

"Look at what you've become. For a woman, you're willing to die. Come on! Wake up!" Taylor demanded.