Forbidden Passion

Phoebe felt like she was floating above a fire, burning up. She was super thirsty and needed water.

In her daze, someone gave her water. She drank it quickly, but it was gone too soon.

She opened her mouth for more, but they didn't give her any. She felt like crying but couldn't, even whimpering in her sleep. This went on for who knows how long until she finally woke up. The room was lit, and the smell of disinfectant hit her. Phoebe sighed and attempted to rise, but a warm hand gently pushed her back down.

She saw it was Donovan.

"Don't move. You just woke up. The doctor said you had acute gastritis from a fever, but it's gone now," Donovan said.

Phoebe felt weak and hungry. "Donovan, is there anything to eat? I'm starving."

"You've been out all day, so yeah, you must be hungry." Donovan helped her sit up and put a pillow behind her. "Mom made some soup. I'll get it." Phoebe leaned against the headboard, panting from the effort but not regretting it.

Even if she knew she'd get sick, she'd still have taken that cold shower last night.

Donovan brought a bowl of hot soup. As he stirred it to cool it down, he asked, "Phoebe, what's going on with you and Theodore?"

Last night, Theodore had stormed out. Donovan could tell there was tension between them.

"I don't want to talk about it," Phoebe said.

"Not even with me?" Donovan asked.

He could be a jerk sometimes, but they were siblings. Despite their fights, they always had each other's backs.

"I don't want to talk about it," Phoebe repeated firmly.

Donovan sighed. "Alright, maybe I haven't been reliable. I need to show you that you can count on me."

Phoebe's eyes filled with tears. She turned away, whispering, "Donovan, just stay out of trouble."

Donovan had no response.

After she finished eating, Donovan took the bowl to wash it. When he came back, Phoebe asked, "Donovan, have you seen my phone?"

"It's in the travel bag. I'll get it. Can you stop reaching for your phone the moment you wake up? Your health is more important," Donovan said, handing her the phone. The phone was fully charged. Phoebe turned it on and saw messages from John. She replied, and John called her.

"Ms. Ziegler, your phone was off. Are you okay?" John asked. He'd heard Theodore hadn't shown up at the office and might have gone to Lindell Harbor.

Phoebe coughed lightly. "I'm fine. How's everything at the company?"

John briefed her on critical updates. Upon hearing her raspy voice, he inquired, "Are you unwell?"

"It's just a cold. I'll be in tomorrow. Bye," Phoebe said.

"Ms. Ziegler," John quickly called out.

Phoebe was confused. "What's up, John?"

John hesitated. "There's news about Mr. Reynolds. I heard he flew to Lindell Harbor to bring Miss Fitzroy back to Kedora."

Phoebe started coughing violently. Donovan quickly handed her a glass of water. After a few sips, she felt better. "Who told you that?" "Madison," John replied.

Phoebe closed her eyes. "I know. Mr. Reynolds told me last night. It's fine. Miss Fitzroy is lonely at Lindell Harbor. Bringing her back to Kedora for recovery makes sense. Serious injuries take time to heal. Sooner or later, she'd have to come back."

John sensed some reluctance in her voice but didn't push it.

After the call, Phoebe's coughing got worse. Donovan gently patted her back. "Phoebe, what are you thinking? Don't you know Vanessa is Theodore's first love? Are you giving them a chance to be alone?"

Phoebe's throat burned from the coughing. After a while, she said bitterly, "Donovan, if you had a first love who always turned to you in times of need, would you leave your wife to go to her?" Donovan was silent.

After pondering for a moment, he remarked, "It would hinge on my feelings for my wife. If those were lacking, I might seek solace with her. Initial loves frequently become regrets." Phoebe said, "You're brutally honest."

Donovan wasn't offended. He sat by the bed. "Phoebe, Theodore married you at his lowest point. You know if and how much he likes you. I get why you acted out last night. You've always been stubborn and proud. Though giving in to instinct is tougher than dying, you should learn to show weakness when needed. It's unhealthy to hold on."

Phoebe gave a bitter smile. "Okay."

"Alright, you're still sick. I won't lecture you. I haven't figured out my own life yet," Donovan said, waving his hand.

Phoebe leaned against the headboard. After lying down all day and sitting, she was tired of it. up made her feel more energetic. "Donovan, I want to go for a walk."

"It's too late. Go tomorrow," Donovan advised.

Phoebe had to give up.

Her illness was minor, but the doctor recommended a day in the hospital for observation. Phoebe told Donovan to go home and rest, saying she didn't need company.

Phoebe slept in the hospital that night. At dawn, she woke up. A nurse came to take her temperature and continued her treatment.

The treatment lasted until after ten. The hallway outside was noisy like a new patient had moved into the next room. Doctors and nurses kept walking past her door, and she vaguely saw Theodore's tall figure. Phoebe thought, 'It couldn't be such a coincidence. Theodore wouldn't be here even in the hospital.'

A nurse disconnected her IV and discharged her. Phoebe hurried downstairs to leave without waiting for Donovan.

After completing the procedures, Phoebe returned to the inpatient department.

As she passed the room next door, the door was open. Phoebe instinctively glanced inside.

The single room was spacious, and she saw Vanessa lying on the bed.

Theodore was sitting by her bed, casually peeling an apple. Sensing someone at the door, he looked up indifferently.