Forbidden Passion
Chapter 724 I Have No Other Choice

Phoebe was incredibly busy today, running around non-stop. After the morning meeting, she had been on the phone discussing resources. It wasn't until she hung up that she realized her throat was parched. Phoebe drank the cold coffee on her desk and took a few gulps. Her phone rang again; this time it was Evelyn calling.

Phoebe said in confusion, "Mom, what's up? I'm really busy right now."

Evelyn's voice was emotionless as she said, "Come to Golden Apartment right away."

Phoebe tensed up at the mention of Golden Apartment. She instinctively sat up straight, saying, "You went to Golden Apartment?"

Evelyn gave a cold laugh, leaving Phoebe to figure it out herself, and then hung up.

Phoebe was speechless. She abruptly stood up, hurriedly grabbed her bag and car keys, and rushed out the door.

As she passed the secretary's desk, she tossed out, "I won't be back this afternoon," and left.

Phoebe walked to the elevator and waited. When the elevator doors opened, she was about to step in when she saw Edward standing inside with a bouquet of flowers. "Edward, what are you doing here?"

Edward glanced at the car keys and bag in her hand, raising an eyebrow, saying, "Are you heading out?"

"Yea, I need to go to Golden Apartment. Do you need something from me?" Phoebe said as she stepped into the elevator.

Edward shrugged and said, "Wherever you're going, I can go with you."

Seeing Phoebe remain silent, Edward handed her the flowers, saying, "I saw a girl selling flowers by the roadside on my way here. I couldn't resist buying them for you."

Phoebe took the flowers. They didn't look as nice as the ones from a florist and were wrapped in old newspaper. She said, "Happy people are all alike; every unhappy person is unhappy in their own way."

"You are right," Edward looked at Phoebe, saying, "I heard Bishop came looking for you after returning to the country. He kidnapped you back then; how can he still show up in front of you so nonchalantly?" Seeing Edward getting angrier, Phoebe remained calm, saying, "Edward, there's no need to get upset over him."

"Phoebe, hire a few bodyguards. Even if you don't think about yourself, think about Evelyn, Hubert, Boris, and Noomi's safety, okay?" Edward advised.

Phoebe had been considering this issue for the past few days. But their household consisted only of women and children, and she felt uneasy about having bodyguards at home.

"Are there any female bodyguards?"

Hearing her relent, Edward's eyes showed a hint of relief as he said, "I'll find some and make sure to pick a few that you'll be satisfied with."

"Okay."

Phoebe didn't let Edward accompany her to Golden Apartment. She didn't even tell him about Ruby. Phoebe and Edward parted ways at the entrance of the Empire State Building, and Phoebe drove to Golden Apartment. Phoebe felt anxious the entire way, unsure why Evelyn had suddenly gone to Golden Apartment. Evelyn must have run into Ruby and Ethan.

Thinking about what she was about to face, Phoebe felt a bit speechless.

At the apartment door, Phoebe hadn't even opened it when she heard laughter inside. She used the fingerprint lock to enter, and the laughter inside abruptly stopped.

Evelyn had been laughing, but upon seeing Phoebe at the door, she immediately put on an angry face, saying, "Come here!"

Phoebe walked over slowly, seeing Ruby holding Evelyn's hand. Evelyn and Ruby seemed very close, and Ethan was sitting next to Evelyn. Boris was sitting on Ruby's lap. When he saw Phoebe approaching, he slid off the sofa and ran to her, hugging her leg, "Mommy."

Phoebe patted his head, saying, "Good boy."

Ruby watched them, still feeling shocked that Phoebe had divorced Theodore and then had Hubert, Boris, and Noomi with a stranger.

Phoebe bent down to pick up Boris, her eyes fixed on Ruby, silently questioning what was going on.

Before Ruby could speak, Evelyn, dissatisfied, shouted, "Phoebe, what kind of look is that? Ruby is Donovan's wife."

Phoebe squinted and said, "Mom, why did you come to Golden Apartment?"

"Astrid called me, saying the lights were on at home last night. She was worried a thief had broken in and asked me to come check," Evelyn explained the events of the morning to Phoebe.

Phoebe pressed her throbbing temples. It was her oversight; she had forgotten that Astrid lived in the building opposite theirs.

"If I hadn't come, how long were you planning to keep this from me?" Evelyn demanded.

Phoebe said, "I told you last night, and you said there's no one in the world as foolish as me. Think about it, didn't you say that?"

Evelyn recalled Phoebe leaning on her shoulder last night, asking hypothetical questions, and got even angrier, saying, "You said it was hypothetical."

"Wasn't I indirectly reminding you?"

Evelyn was too angry to speak. She held Ruby's hand and said, "Now that I know, Ruby and Ethan can't stay outside. Either you let them move to Lakeview Estates with us, or I'll move back to Golden Apartment with them. You choose."

Phoebe was speechless.

Phoebe turned her gaze to Ruby, her eyes full of hostility as she said, "Come with me."

Phoebe put Boris down, letting him go play with Ethan. She turned and walked towards the master bedroom.

Ruby knew Phoebe had misunderstood and quickly followed. As soon as she entered the room, she explained, "Phoebe, I told Evelyn we were staying at Golden Apartment, but she insisted we move in with you." "Moving in is fine, but you have to agree to one condition," Phoebe turned to look at Ruby, her eyes calm again.

Ruby was taken aback, saying, "What condition?"

"My mom must have told you how Hubert, Boris, and Noomi came to be. No matter what you heard, you have to keep it to yourself and tell no one," Phoebe said.

Ruby looked at Phoebe, seemingly not understanding, asking, "Why did you choose to have them? You're not like me; you had many other options."

"I didn't," Phoebe closed her eyes, filled with determination, "Given the situation at the time, I had no other choice."

Ruby watched Phoebe stubbornly lift her chin. She used to hate Phoebe's arrogant attitude, thinking Phoebe, despite her humble origins, pretended to be untouchable, which was really annoying.

But now Ruby realized that it was just a protective wall Phoebe had built for herself. It seemed like only by doing so could she prevent others from seeing her vulnerable heart.

Ruby said firmly, "I'll keep this secret until you're ready to tell it."

That afternoon, Ruby moved to Lakeview Estates with Ethan. The villa had three floors, more than enough space to accommodate Ruby and Ethan.

With Ethan in the house, Hubert, Boris, and Noomi were especially happy, circling around Ethan. No matter where Ethan went, three little kids followed, making the house lively all of a sudden.