Forbidden Passion
Chapter 642 Hatred for Phoebe

In the ICU, Theodore was out cold on the hospital bed, looking even paler than the sheets he was lying on.

That fruit knife had jabbed right into his side. Lucky for him, the blade was dull and didn't mess with his kidneys; otherwise, he wouldn't be chilling in the ICU right now. The machines kept beeping as the nurse finished up with Theodore. She was about to bounce when the door got slammed open.

The door smacked the wall, making it shake.

The nurse frowned and looked over, spotting a frantic woman stumbling in. Sandra tossed her fancy Hermès bag onto a chair and rushed to the bedside. "Theodore."

The guy on the bed, deep in dreamland, frowned like the noise was bugging him. The nurse quickly said, "Miss, keep it down. He's lost a lot of blood and needs rest." Sandra's eyes were all red. She turned and glared at the nurse, "Get out!"

The nurse, not knowing who Sandra was, hesitated, not sure if she should leave. Sandra got up, walked over, and shoved her out.

The nurse didn't even get a word in before the door shut in her face. She rolled her eyes and walked off.

Sandra went back to the bedside and saw Theodore frown and slowly open his eyes. Her fierce look softened into one of tearful concern. "Theodore, you're awake. How do you feel? Does it hurt?"

Theodore looked confused, his eyes locking onto Sandra's as he tried to lift his hand.

"Phoebe, don't cry. It doesn't hurt."

Sandra's face twisted for a second. She always knew Theodore saw her as a stand-in for Phoebe, which made her hate Phoebe even more.

Phoebe could easily get his love, while she couldn't get it no matter how hard she tried. How could she not hate Phoebe?

Sandra gently held Theodore's hand and pressed it to her face, tearfully saying, "Theodore, you scared me to death. What would I do if something happened to you?"

Theodore's mind was still foggy, not really seeing who was in front of him. He closed his eyes wearily, "It's fine. Don't be scared."

Theodore drifted back into a deep sleep, but he never let go of Sandra's hand, like he was holding onto the only thing that mattered.

Only by holding on tight could he feel at ease.

Sandra listened to Theodore's steady breathing and looked up at him. His eyes were closed, missing their usual cold look.

Right now, Theodore's sleeping face was peaceful.

Sandra stared at Theodore for a long time, her eyes moving from his straight nose to his pale, sharp lips. He had let her stay by his side for two years and claim they were a couple, but they had never even held hands, let alone kissed. Sandra had always wanted to taste Theodore's lips but never got the chance. Now was a rare opportunity.

Sandra squinted, leaned over the bed, and stared at Theodore's lips, her throat tightening. Just as she was about to kiss him, the door behind her suddenly opened.

Sandra jumped and quickly stood up straight, turning to see Vanessa striding in.

Vanessa's eyes locked onto Sandra, and seeing her posture, a cold sneer curled her lips. "Ms. Ramirez, what were you just doing?"

Sandra, feeling guilty, dodged Vanessa's sharp gaze. She plopped back into the chair and lazily said, "What are you doing here?"

"I heard Theodore got hurt, so I came to check on him." Vanessa walked in and placed the flowers she was holding on the bedside table. Vanessa looked down at Theodore. "What did the doc say?"

Sandra, who had sent the nurse packing as soon as she arrived, touched her nose and said vaguely, "It's not too serious. He just needs some rest."

Vanessa frowned at her. "Is that what the doctor said?"

Sandra and Vanessa had always been at each other's throats. Even though Theodore was all about Phoebe now and didn't give a damn about Vanessa, Vanessa had once been his first love.

Sandra went nuts with jealousy whenever she thought about how Vanessa and Theodore had been together for so long.

"What else? If you're not happy with my answer, go ask the doc yourself. I don't have time to explain it to you." Sandra replied with a taunting tone.

Vanessa's expression soured. She always felt superior to Phoebe because her parents, Sophia and James, were university professors, and the Fitzroy family was prestigious. She looked down on Phoebe. But in front of Sandra, Sandra always seemed a notch above her. Vanessa thought, 'The Ramirez family is just rich, what's so great about that?'

"Sure, you don't have time to ask the doc, but you have time to steal a kiss from an injured, unconscious guy. Does Theodore know how desperate you are?" Vanessa mocked.

Sandra's face darkened. She stood up and stared at Vanessa, sneering, "I kiss my boyfriend openly. But you still haven't found your place, always messing with my boyfriend, trying to be a side chick. How pathetic!" Vanessa gritted her teeth, "You're going too far!"

"So what? You're in trouble now, and you're still here arguing with me?" Sandra taunted.

"What do you mean?" Before Vanessa could finish her sentence, her phone rang. She glanced at it and saw it was a call from the police station. She frowned and answered, "This is Vanessa."

"Hello, this is the Northside Police Station. Miss Fitzroy, someone has accused you of being involved in a premeditated murder case. Please come to the station to cooperate with the investigation," the officer's official voice came through. Vanessa frowned even more, glancing at Sandra, who was sitting in the chair watching her with interest. She turned and walked out of the ward.

Vanessa defended herself, "Officer, you must be mistaken. I don't know anything about a premeditated murder case."

"Please come to the Northside Police Station. Whether it's a mistake or not, we'll clear your name after the investigation. But for now, the suspect has indeed accused you of being the mastermind," the officer's stern voice carried an intimidating authority.

Vanessa felt bewildered. She hung up the phone, turned to look at the closed ward door, and then left.

Vanessa walked into the elevator, looking at her slender reflection in the elevator wall. She raised her hand and touched her face.

Her face had endured the ravages of time and no longer radiated the same vibrant beauty; her skin wasn't as flawless as Sandra's either.

If Vanessa had known that her rivalry with Phoebe back then would benefit Sandra, she wouldn't have done those unnecessary things.