Forbidden Passion

After switching up the cat food, with Phoebe tagging along today, Theodore spotted a bunch of cute outfits he liked but didn't buy any. He just held Ollie and trailed behind Phoebe like a loyal puppy. Phoebe was lugging the cat food, thinking about that locked nursery room in the West Mountain Villas.

When she was four months pregnant, during her first ultrasound, Theodore ditched an important meeting to be there with her at the hospital.

Seeing the baby on the monitor for the first time, Theodore was so hyped he couldn't sleep all night. He kept reaching out to touch her belly, making it a restless night for her too.

The next day, Theodore had someone turn the gym next to their bedroom into a nursery, complete with a crib, rocking horse, and baby toys.

Less than six months into her pregnancy, the nursery was packed to the brim with stuff Theodore bought, some of which Phoebe had never even heard of. Yet, Theodore could list their uses like a pro. Back then, Phoebe thought this kid was gonna be the happiest baby in the world.

Now, even raising a cat, Theodore made it look so fancy, which was kinda impressive.

As Phoebe walked, she suddenly realized no one was behind her. She stopped and turned around, seeing Theodore standing not far away, still holding Ollie, but now facing a middle-aged couple. Phoebe walked back with the cat food, and as she got closer, she recognized them as Vanessa's parents, Sophia and James.

Sophia's hair was graying, looking way older than the last time they met, and James, standing beside her, looked pretty worn out, too.

Phoebe instinctively stopped, unsure if she should go over and maybe interrupt their convo.

James noticed Phoebe and gave her a gentle smile, then said to Theodore, "Meeting you here today, we have no regrets."

Phoebe's heart skipped a beat. 'Why does that sound so ominous?'

Theodore pursed his lips and said, "Sophia, hang on a sec."

Then, he walked over to Phoebe, handed Ollie to her, and said, "You take Ollie home first. I'll drive Sophia and James back and be back soon."

Sophia chimed in, "No need to drive us. We'll just grab a cab."

Phoebe took Ollie, glanced at James and Sophia, and said, "Professor, let Theodore drive you back. I'll head home first."

She walked a few steps with the cat, and Ollie meowed uneasily in her arms. She stopped and looked back, seeing Theodore supporting Sophia as they walked in the opposite direction. Phoebe stood there until they were out of sight, then turned and walked towards another exit of the mall.

Back at the apartment, Phoebe took off Ollie's vest, filled its bowl with cat food, and changed the litter. She plopped down on the sofa, lost in thought.

When Phoebe was in college, she attended Sophia's lectures with Edward. A lot of people loved Sophia's classes back then.

Sophia was super talented, often linking economics with current events in her lectures, making the whole class full of key points and super useful.

Phoebe never imagined that in just half a year, the once lively Sophia would now be so frail, with no trace of her former energy.

How would Vanessa feel if she knew about Sophia and James' current situation?

Theodore drove Sophia and James home. Once inside, James quickly tidied up the sofa and said, "Theodore, please sit. Since Sophia got sick, no one's been keeping up with the house. Please, make yourself comfortable." Theodore plopped down on the sofa, the faint smell of medicine hanging in the air, as he casually glanced around.

Sophia headed to the kitchen to wash some fruit. Her health had taken a nosedive, and she was out of breath after just a few steps.

James quickly took the fruit knife from Sophia and placed it on the plate, saying, "You rest. I'll handle this."

Sophia glanced nervously at Theodore and said, "Theodore, please sit for a while. My health is poor, and I get tired after a few steps." Theodore quickly stood up and said, "Sophia, don't worry about me. I'll just sit for a bit and then head out. Please take care of yourself." Sophia smiled. "I'm old now. Please sit and make yourself at home."

Theodore watched as James helped Sophia back to her room. Soon, he heard coughing from inside, followed by a bit of a commotion. After a while, James came out.

James washed his hands in the bathroom and then sat across from Theodore, looking even more worn out than before.

James looked at Theodore and couldn't help but ask, "Theodore, how's Vanessa doing lately? I heard she joined a film crew but haven't been in touch with her."

Theodore sat up straight, looking at the elderly James, feeling a bit guilty. "She hasn't been filming. She's been in Kedora. Hasn't she come back to see Sophia despite her serious illness?"

If they hadn't run into each other today, Theodore wouldn't have known how seriously ill Sophia was.

James looked at him in surprise. "You didn't know?"

Theodore frowned. "What should I know?"

James hesitated for a moment before telling Theodore about Sophia kicking Vanessa out of the house, without mentioning the reason, but Theodore could guess. Theodore asked, "Is it because of me?"

James sighed. "Theodore, I'm not blaming you. Vanessa was the one who was stubborn and messed up a good thing."

Theodore was silent for a while before saying, "James, even if Vanessa hadn't broken up with me, we wouldn't have ended up together. I never loved her."

James was stunned, his expression complex. He didn't know what to say, but Theodore spoke first, "What illness does Sophia have? Wasn't the previous surgery successful?"

Talking about Sophia's illness, James finally found his voice. "It's heart failure. The doctor said she wouldn't live long without surgery. I contacted foreign experts, but Sophia refused further treatment. I couldn't persuade her." Theodore frowned. "James, I'll arrange for the doctors. For now, let's get Sophia admitted to the hospital. Her condition can't be delayed any longer."

James said helplessly, "Theodore, Sophia doesn't want to trouble you students, which is why she insists on not going to the hospital. If she knew I asked for your help again, she'd be upset with me."

Theodore comforted. "It's no trouble. Sophia has many students, and it's time for us to step up."

Theodore left the Fitzroy Villa and stood at the door, waiting for Jack to drive over. As night fell, he lit a cigarette.

After a while, Theodore extinguished the cigarette and tossed it into a nearby trash can. He took out his phone and made a call, "Where are you? I'll come over in a bit."