Forbidden Passion
Chapter 647 Using Gratitude as Leverage

On her way, Phoebe got a call from Evelyn, asking when she'd be home and if she needed dinner. "I'll be back late, no need to cook for me," she said.

"Why are you working overtime again?" Evelyn grumbled.

Since Phoebe got back to Kedora, her chances of making it home for dinner on time were slim to none, which got Evelyn worked up.

Phoebe was chilling in the back seat, scrolling through her tablet while chatting with Evelyn. "Taylor dropped by the office today, mentioned Sarah's sick and in the hospital. She wants me to visit." Evelyn huffed, "You're divorced already, stop dragging things out."

Phoebe's fingers froze on the tablet, a pang hitting her chest. She stayed quiet for a sec before speaking again. "Sarah was really good to me when I was with the Reynolds family. Not visiting her when she's sick would be cold." "Phoebe, do you really think Taylor just wants you to visit Sarah and not set up a meet with Theodore?" Evelyn asked.

Phoebe tried to soothe her, "Mom, you're overthinking it."

She hadn't told Evelyn about almost getting stabbed at the hospital last night, or that Theodore had taken the hit for her. Otherwise, Evelyn would definitely be singing a different tune.

"Fine, I don't want to stress over your stuff. Just think it over," Evelyn said, then added, "If you're visiting Sarah in the hospital, you should bring a small gift."

"I know," Phoebe replied.

After hanging up, Phoebe rubbed her temples and put the tablet aside. Guadalupe glanced at the rearview mirror. "Ms. Ziegler, we're almost at the hospital." "Okay."

The car pulled into the hospital parking lot. Phoebe got out with a few nutritional supplements, and a gust of hot wind hit her as she stepped out, making her sneeze.

Taking the elevator upstairs, Phoebe was stopped at the nurse's station. After registering her info, the nurse let her through.

Room 808 was a VIP suite at the end of the hallway. Phoebe stood at the door and knocked. A faint "Come in" came from inside.

Phoebe frowned slightly and pushed the door open.

The VIP suite looked more like a fancy hotel. Phoebe walked through the living room to the inner room where Sarah was supposed to be, only to see Theodore lying on the bed instead. Theodore was there with a secretary and a caregiver, both of whom were now staring at her.

Phoebe stood frozen.

She never expected Taylor to trick her. No wonder Taylor didn't mention Theodore's injury; she wanted to catch her off guard and make her think she genuinely wanted her to visit Sarah. Phoebe was still too naïve.

Theodore squinted at Phoebe. Seeing this, Lawton got up, taking the caregiver with him and closing the door behind them.

Once the door was closed, it was just Phoebe and Theodore in the room.

"Sit down," Theodore said calmly.

Phoebe never saw this coming. A trace of panic crossed her mind, and she blurted out, "Uh, looks like I walked into the wrong room."

"Oh," Theodore drawled, eyeing the nutritional supplements in Phoebe's hand, which were labeled for the elderly. His eyes darkened. "Yeah, I'm not that old yet."

Phoebe was at a loss for words.

Phoebe stepped up and placed a box of premium supplements on the bedside table, her tone sympathetic. "You might not need the others, but this one's for brain health. You should take more of it." Theodore was momentarily choked, his chest tightening, and the wound on his waist seemed to hurt even more.

"Phoebe!" Theodore interrupted her suggestion, his mood not particularly good. After a pause, he softened his voice. "If you hadn't walked into the wrong room today, were you not planning to visit me?" Phoebe lowered her eyes. "There are plenty of people who want to visit Mr. Reynolds. One less won't make a difference."

Theodore sneered, "Were they the ones I saved?"

Phoebe's throat tightened. Theodore's face practically screamed, "You have no heart." She was at a loss for words. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "What do you want, then?" Theodore's once defiant demeanor deflated. His gaze fell. "I haven't eaten anything since I got injured yesterday."

"I'll go buy you something," Phoebe offered.

Theodore quickly glanced at her, his eyes filled with accusation. "Food from outside isn't sanitary. My body is weak, and my resistance is low. What if..."

Phoebe couldn't bear it anymore and interrupted him, "When did you become so delicate?"

"Actually, I've been quite healthy these past two years. Maybe it's because I got stabbed yesterday and lost a lot of blood. It's fine, I can eat food from outside," Theodore said, lowering his eyes. He quickly added, "Really, my stomach shouldn't be that delicate."

If Theodore's attitude were as strong and nasty as before, Phoebe would have walked away without looking back. But she couldn't resist Theodore's current demeanor.

Phoebe placed the nutritional supplements on the table and said, "I'll go home and cook something, then have the driver bring it over."

"I'll be starving by the time the food was delivered," Theodore's voice suddenly rose. Seeing Phoebe look at him, he instinctively softened his tone. "I mean, it's not that much trouble. The VIP suite has a kitchen and ingredients. Just make something simple. I'm really hungry."

Phoebe stared at Theodore for a moment before putting down her bag, rolling up her sleeves, and heading to the kitchen.

As soon as the kitchen door closed, Theodore, who had seemed weak, immediately picked up his phone from the bedside table and started typing a message.

Theodore kept an eye on the kitchen while typing, afraid Phoebe would come out and catch him.

Soon, Lawton, who was waiting outside, received Theodore's message.

Theodore: [Don't let anyone near the room!]

Lawton cast a meaningful glance at the room door, then called for security, placing two guards at the room door and two more outside the elevator to ensure no one could disturb Theodore and Phoebe. Phoebe hadn't cooked in a long time. When she opened the fridge, memories of preparing baby food for children flitted through her mind.

Phoebe quickly took out some vegetables, washed them, and found various meats in the fridge. She took out a piece, washed it, and diced it.

In less than half an hour, a bowl of spaghetti was ready. Phoebe placed the spaghetti on a tray and carried it out.

Theodore, who had been full of energy, immediately leaned weakly against the pillow as he watched Phoebe walk over, feeling a slight sting in his eyes, as if he had returned to the past.