Forbidden Passion
Chapter 708 We're Not That Close

Theodore, chilling in the front row, had a perfect view of everything going on in the back. He watched Phoebe expertly handling Ethan, like she was some kind of parenting pro. He squinted a bit, puzzled.

"Why are you reading parenting books?" Theodore asked, clearly confused.

Phoebe's heart skipped a beat when she heard him. She looked up and caught Theodore's eyes in the rearview mirror. Keeping her cool, she replied, "It's for work. Do I need to report this to you, Mr. Reynolds?" Theodore glanced at her, a bit distracted, and asked, "What kind of work?"

"I invested in a movie in Canada and wanted to hire a famous director. I heard he's really into his family, so I bought a parenting book to have something to chat about. But turns out, I didn't need it," Phoebe lied smoothly. Theodore seemed to buy it. He gave her a quick look and didn't press further, focusing back on the road. But Phoebe felt a chill from his glance.

An hour later, they pulled up at the outpatient hall of Eternal Love Hospital. Ruby jumped out with Ethan, and Phoebe quickly followed.

They registered, got in line, and waited for the pediatrician. The pediatric department was packed. Ruby and Phoebe sat on a bench, eyes glued to the electronic screen. Finally, their turn came. Ruby hurried into the consultation room with Ethan.

After checking Ethan, the doctor said it was pneumonia from a fever and that he needed to be hospitalized.

Phoebe rushed to pay the fees. When she got back, she saw Ruby with teary eyes holding Ethan. Phoebe pulled out the fever patch the doctor prescribed. "Let's put this on Ethan first," she said, concerned. Ruby kissed Ethan's hot forehead and watched Phoebe unwrap the fever patch and place it on him.

"Thank you. If I hadn't met you today, I wouldn't know what to do," Ruby said, her voice hoarse.

"No need to thank me. Ethan's my nephew. I can't just stand by. Let's go. The ward's upstairs. Let's get him treated first," Phoebe said, standing up. Seeing Ruby stumble, she quickly supported her arm.

"When a kid's sick, it's the parents who suffer the most. You need to take care of yourself too. If you get sick before Ethan gets better, who'll take care of him?" Phoebe said gently.

Ruby's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you!"

Phoebe didn't say more. She helped Ruby and Ethan to the ward upstairs. Suddenly, her phone rang.

Phoebe answered, "We're in ward 205."

Theodore hung up without a word. A few minutes later, he walked in with two paper bags and handed one to Phoebe. "Go change out of your wet clothes."

Before he could finish, Phoebe sneezed. She rubbed her nose and took the bag. "Thanks, Mr. Reynolds. I'll pay you back."

Theodore noticed her distant tone. He squinted at her and said, "Do you have to be so formal with me?"

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "We're not that close."

Theodore gritted his teeth. If it weren't for the others in the ward, he would've pinned Phoebe against the wall and kissed her until she gave in. He said lightly, "No need. I don't care about the money." Phoebe went quiet.

She headed to the bathroom to change out of her wet clothes, feeling a lot better afterward. She put her wet clothes and Theodore's suit into the paper bag and came back out.

Ruby had already changed Ethan into clean clothes. Holding the paper bag, she stood by the bed, looking a bit unsure.

Phoebe saw right through Ruby and said, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna steal your kid while you change."

"That's not what I meant," Ruby said, embarrassed.

"Go change out of your wet clothes. You don't want to catch a cold," Phoebe said, sneezing again. Theodore handed her a steaming cup of cold medicine. "Drink it."

Phoebe frowned and took the cup, still sneezing. The bitter smell hit her nose, and she grimaced.

"It's not bitter; I've tasted it."

Theodore knew Phoebe hated bitter stuff and taking medicine. When they were together, she had thrown a fit over it once.

Phoebe glanced at Theodore and then at the cup, as if she would pour the medicine on his head if he really tasted it.

Theodore caught her look and chuckled, "I had a cup myself. I didn't touch yours. What are you thinking?"

Phoebe's cheeks turned red. She raised the cup to her lips, and Theodore teased, "Are you that eager to taste my saliva?"

Phoebe sprayed the medicine all over Theodore's face. He closed his eyes just in time, his eyelashes glistening with the liquid.

Theodore took a deep breath. If anyone else had done this, he would've strangled them. But he couldn't do anything to Phoebe.

Phoebe coughed a few times and looked up to see Theodore's angry face, with medicine dripping down his handsome features and onto his gray shirt.

Phoebe stifled a laugh and handed him a tissue, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Wipe it off."

Theodore didn't take it and said, "Whoever sprays it wipes it off!"

Phoebe chuckled, her day's frustration melting away. She stood on tiptoe to wipe the medicine off his face. Up close, Theodore's features were magnified before her eyes. She rarely got to look at Theodore so closely. When he opened his eyes, he had this intense look that was hard to meet.

But now, with his eyes closed, his intensity was halved. She actually found him a bit cute like this.

Phoebe's pupils shook, and she quickly stepped back. She shoved the tissue into Theodore's chest and said coldly, "Wipe it yourself."

Then she turned and walked away, standing by the window with her back to Theodore, gulping down the now lukewarm cold medicine.

She heard the door open behind her, and Ruby came out wearing a dress. It didn't seem to fit; she looked like she was wearing an adult's clothes.

Phoebe turned around and saw Ruby awkwardly tugging at the dress. Her thin frame couldn't fill it out. Phoebe glanced at Theodore, who didn't seem embarrassed at all. The fact that he remembered to buy Ruby some clothes was already a sign of his kindness.

At that moment, Ethan suddenly started crying loudly, as if he had a nightmare, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Ruby quickly walked to the bed and picked up the crying Ethan, soothing him gently, "It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. Don't cry."

Phoebe had always seen Ruby as arrogant and bossy. Seeing her patiently comforting her child now felt surreal.