Forbidden Passion
Chapter 702 Mr. Reynolds Wants to See You

Phoebe's face was streaked with tears as she watched Evelyn come closer. Evelyn quickly set Hubert and Boris on the bed, gently calming them down.

Phoebe sat by the bed, holding Noomi, feeling a wave of sadness she couldn't quite explain.

Luckily, after a bit of crying, the kids dozed off in Evelyn's arms. Evelyn tucked them in with a small blanket, then noticed Phoebe was soaked and led her out of the master bedroom.

Evelyn took Phoebe to her room, grabbed a hairdryer, and started drying Phoebe's hair. Phoebe just sat there, like a lifeless doll.

When the buzzing stopped, Evelyn put the hairdryer on the nightstand and looked at Phoebe with concern. "Phoebe, what's going on?"

"I had a nightmare," Phoebe said wearily, lying back on the bed and staring blankly at the ceiling light.

Evelyn, worried the light might hurt her eyes, turned off the main light and switched on the bedside lamp. "What did you dream about?" she asked gently.

"I dreamed I was kidnapped," Phoebe said, curling up a bit like she was seeking comfort.

Evelyn was shocked, remembering how Phoebe had struggled with postpartum depression after having the kids. Back then, Phoebe couldn't sleep and always felt like someone was trying to take her children away. Evelyn leaned in and hugged Phoebe, gently rubbing her back. "It's all in the past. Try not to think about it too much."

Phoebe's eyes were distant as she said, "I've been back for so long and never dreamed about it. I don't know why it happened tonight."

"You must be really tired lately," Evelyn said, then hesitated before asking, "Phoebe, should we call your therapist?"

Phoebe's postpartum depression had gotten better with therapy, and Evelyn trusted that therapist.

"No need, I'm fine," Phoebe said, not wanting Evelyn to see her as a patient. She wasn't the same person she used to be.

For her kids' sake, Phoebe wouldn't let herself fall back into that dark place.

Maybe this dream was a warning, reminding her not to get too comfortable with Theodore's kindness, or she might end up repeating the past.

Seeing Phoebe's determination, Evelyn didn't push her to see a doctor. "Alright, your hair's dry. Go back to sleep."

Phoebe hugged Evelyn, resting her head on Evelyn's belly with a faint smile. "Mom, have you missed Donovan all these years?"

Evelyn's hand paused, and then she gave Phoebe a firm pat on the back. "You're miserable, so you want me to be miserable too, huh?"

"No," Phoebe said, feeling a bit hurt. "I miss Donovan and Dad. If only they were still here."

"That's enough," Evelyn cut in sharply. "It's the middle of the night. Do you want to wake everyone up? Go back, or you'll wake Hubert, Boris, and Noomi."

Phoebe was shooed out of the bedroom. She stood in the hallway for a bit until the cold seeped into her bones, then went back to her room.

Phoebe knew she had said the wrong thing, and Evelyn would have a sleepless night because of it.

Sure enough, the next morning, Evelyn said she had a headache and needed more sleep. Pamela was downstairs playing with the kids. Feeling guilty, Phoebe checked on Evelyn before heading to work. The room was dim. Wrapped in a blanket, Evelyn said, "Go to work. Don't worry about things here. I'll get up soon."

Phoebe stood there for a moment, muttered an apology, and then left.

Worried about Pamela handling Hubert, Boris, and Noomi all by herself, Phoebe called Cindy. When Cindy heard Evelyn was sick and only Pamela was there to watch the kids, she agreed to come over right away. After hanging up, Phoebe headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. A little while later, the doorbell rang. Pamela opened the door to find Cindy standing there with breakfast and quickly welcomed her in.

Cindy slipped into some house shoes, and Hubert, Boris, and Noomi eagerly ran over, eyeing the breakfast in her hands.

"Go wash your hands, and then you can eat," Cindy told them.

The three kids happily dashed to the bathroom, which had a small sink just for them to wash up.

Cindy brought the breakfast into the kitchen and saw Phoebe frying eggs. She took out the kids' plates to wash.

"Phoebe, did you have a fight with Evelyn? You don't look so good."

Evelyn cared deeply for Phoebe, knowing how tough it was for her to take care of the kids. Even if she occasionally complained, she rarely refused to help.

Given the situation today, it was likely she was upset with Phoebe.

"No, I had a nightmare and mentioned Donovan and my dad in front of my mom. It probably upset her all night, and she couldn't get up this morning," Phoebe said flatly.

Cindy knew Donovan's death was a deep wound for Evelyn. Phoebe bringing him up in the middle of the night would undoubtedly upset her.

Seeing Phoebe's pale face, Cindy didn't want to blame her. "Don't mention Donovan in front of Evelyn anymore. You know she can't handle it."

"I know."

After breakfast, Phoebe went back to her room, put on some light makeup, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs. The kids were playing on the slide in the living room, with Cindy watching over them. Seeing Phoebe come down, Cindy said, "It's raining outside. Drive carefully."

"Okay."

Phoebe bent down and called Hubert, Boris, and Noomi over. "I'm going to work. Is there any sweetie who wants to give me some energy?" Hubert slid down the slide first, ran to Phoebe, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Boris and Noomi followed suit. Phoebe stood up, satisfied, and said to Cindy, "Thanks for today."

"It's no trouble at all. The three of them are very well-behaved. Hurry up and go to work," Cindy said, waving her off. Phoebe smiled and left.

It was destined to be a busy day. Once Phoebe immersed herself in work, she barely had time to think about last night's nightmare.

In the afternoon, Lori walked in with a strange expression. "Ms. Ziegler, there's a Mr. Reynolds here to see you."

Phoebe didn't notice Lori's expression, thinking she meant Theodore. Without looking up, she said, "Tell him I'm busy."

Lori hesitated for a moment and said with concern, "He said his name is Bishop."

Phoebe's pen slipped from her hand, rolled off the desk, and hit the floor, the tip bending instantly a good pen ruined.

Lori didn't expect such a reaction from Phoebe and stared at her in shock and surprise. "Ms. Ziegler, I'll go send him away." Phoebe pinched the bridge of her nose and said coldly, "No need. Let him wait in the small meeting room." Lori nodded and left.

Phoebe leaned heavily against her chair, her heart pounding a primal response to danger.

She now understood why she had dreamed about being kidnapped last night. Her enemy had silently come close.