Forbidden Passion
Chapter 715 My Perspective Was Too Narrow

Phoebe looked around the room in disbelief. There was a photo of Donovan hanging on the wall above the bed. It was a printed poster, with yellowed edges, indicating it had been there for a long time. Ruby walked in, took out a bag, and started packing her and Ethan's belongings. Actually, there wasn't much to pack.

Ruby hadn't made much money in the past two years, barely scraping by to support herself and Ethan. Even Ethan's clothes were from the neighbor Leah Perry's kids.

Every time Ruby saw Ethan wearing other people's old clothes, she hated herself for being useless and for bringing Ethan into a life of hardship.

"For the past two years, my dad has been constantly suppressing me. It's already a blessing that Ethan and I have a place to stay. I don't dare ask for more." Phoebe clenched her fists and said, "Mr. Adams really doesn't treat you like his own child."

Ruby curled her lips into a sneer.

Phoebe couldn't help but say, "Then why don't you leave Kedora? With your abilities, you could definitely find a decent job elsewhere."

Ruby paused her packing, her voice turning a bit desolate. "I've thought about leaving, but I can't bear to leave Donovan. Here, I can visit him often and talk to him." Phoebe was shocked. She had underestimated Ruby's feelings for Donovan. To her, once someone was dead, staying by a tombstone only brought more pain.

But to Ruby, that tombstone was her only solace. It was as if when she leaned against it and talked to Donovan, he would smile and respond to her.

"I'm sorry," Phoebe suddenly said.

Ruby glanced back at her and said indifferently, "Why are you apologizing to me?"

Phoebe thought for a moment, not knowing how to describe her feelings. Finally, she said, "I was being narrow-minded."

Ruby was speechless.

As Ruby packed, Ethan ran over to pack his treasures. He was putting things into his little backpack while muttering to himself.

Phoebe listened closely and realized Ethan was reciting the names of his friends, Owen Campbell and Peter Campbell. Phoebe waved at Ethan, saying in a soft tone, "Ethan, do you want to say goodbye to your friends?" Ethan's eyes lit up as he said, "Can I, Aunt Phoebe?"

"Of course, I can go with you." Phoebe walked over and picked him up, but Ethan wriggled to get down.

"Aunt Phoebe, I want to walk by myself."

"Alright."

Phoebe put Ethan down and watched as he took some candy from his backpack and stuffed it into his pocket, then grabbed two cans of milk and headed out the door with his short legs.

Phoebe quickly followed and said to Guadalupe, who was standing by, "Guadalupe, could you help Miss Adams with her things later? I'm taking Ethan downstairs to say goodbye to his friends." Guadalupe nodded and watched them go downstairs.

Owen and Peter, Leah's grandsons from next door, were peeking out from under the eaves, having seen a car pull up earlier.

Seeing Ethan get out of the luxury car, Owen and Peter didn't dare call out, just watched dumbly.

Now Ethan ran over to them, and the three quickly started playing together. Ethan handed the milk to Owen and Peter and took out the candy from his pocket to give to them.

Ethan said with a faint smile, "Aunt Phoebe bought me this chocolate. It's really good. You should try it."

Owen recognized the chocolate brand from TV commercials and said, "This is expensive. My mom never buys it for me. Your Aunt is really nice to you." Ethan's eyes squinted with a big smile.

"My mom and I are moving to my Aunt Phoebe's place. We won't be able to see each other often, but we're always friends. You can come visit me." "Sure."

Kids didn't understand the sorrow of parting. Phoebe watched for a while, then walked over to Leah, who was sitting under the eaves sewing. She took some money from her bag and handed it to Leah. "Thank you for taking care of Ruby and Ethan these past two years. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Leah quickly put down her sewing and tried to refuse a few times, but eventually accepted it. "You're too kind. I just felt sorry for Ruby. Her husband died, and she was left homeless and pregnant. Don't just stand there, have a seat." Leah offered a stool to Phoebe and brought out another one. Seeing that Phoebe seemed friendly, Leah started chatting with her.

"The day Ruby gave birth to Ethan, it was raining heavily. She slipped and fell down the stairs, which triggered labor. We're far from the main road, so there was no time to get her to the hospital. In the end, the neighbor and I helped her back to her room, and I delivered the baby myself. Luckily, both Ruby and Ethan made it through."

Phoebe said with a slight smile, "Thank you, Leah."

"It's nothing; I just did what I could. By the way, I heard Ethan call you his Aunt earlier?" Leah looked at Phoebe curiously.

Judging by Phoebe's attire and the car parked outside, Leah could tell Phoebe came from a wealthy family. How could she let Ruby and Ethan suffer?

"Yes, I was abroad before. I only reconnected with Ruby after I came back."

"I understand. You must take good care of them. Ruby and Ethan have been through a lot, but things are looking up now," Leah said with relief.

Leah and Phoebe chatted for a while longer until they saw Guadalupe carrying bags downstairs and putting them in the trunk. Ruby followed, coming over to say goodbye to Leah.

Leah held Ruby's hand, urging her to live well and not to struggle so much. Ruby felt a lump in her throat, hugged Leah, and then got into the car with Ethan.

Partings were always sad. Phoebe got into the car, and Guadalupe started the engine and drove away. Owen and Peter ran after the car, realizing they might never see Ethan again. Inside the car, Ethan knelt on the seat, leaning on the rear deck, watching Owen and Peter get farther away. He started to cry.

"Mom, I don't want to leave Owen and Peter."

Ruby turned and held Ethan, letting him sit on her lap. She gently patted his back and said with concern, "They don't want you to leave either."

Sensing something, Ethan suddenly buried his face in Ruby's arms and cried, "Mom, will I never see them again?"

Ruby sighed and didn't answer him.

The car stopped outside Golden Apartment. Phoebe got out with Ruby and Ethan. She told Guadalupe to drive to the underground parking lot and bring up the luggage while she showed Ruby around. As they walked through the complex, Phoebe said, "There's a preschool nearby. You can send Ethan there. If you want, you can also work at my company."

With just a few words, Phoebe had laid out Ruby and Ethan's future clearly. Ruby didn't resist. "I'll think about it."

Phoebe didn't push her and led Ruby and Ethan upstairs.