Forbidden Passion

Theodore didn't force Phoebe. He moved over with his wine glass and sat next to her, a strong fragrance wafting over. Phoebe looked at him, her gaze faintly wary.

Theodore, however, made no extra moves. He leaned back in his chair and said lightly, "Too far away, I can hardly see you."

Phoebe said, "Looks like you are already drunk without drinking."

Theodore curled his lips, "Phoebe, there's something I want to ask you. Be honest with me."

Phoebe met Theodore's gaze, her heart pounding, "What do you want to ask?"

"It's been three years. Are you still blaming me for not saving you first back then?" Theodore looked steadily at Phoebe. He knew that asking this question would almost certainly ruin their dinner tonight.

Phoebe casually picked up some food and put it in her mouth. She chewed for a moment and said, "Mr. Reynolds, if you and Edward were kidnapped at the same time, and I chose to save him first, would you hate me?" Theodore took a sharp breath. Phoebe's hypothetical scenario was more painful than any physical harm.

Phoebe gave a faint smile, "You don't need to answer. I can see it in your eyes. So, what difference does it make asking me this question?"

Theodore gripped his wine glass tightly, "Fine, let's not talk about that. Let me ask you, Phoebe, in our four years of marriage, have you ever loved me?" Phoebe completely lost her appetite. She put down her fork and took a napkin to wipe her mouth, "Mr. Reynolds, you really don't know when to stop." "Have you ever loved me?" Theodore stared at her persistently, determined to hear a truthful answer from her.

Phoebe sighed, "What difference does it make if I have or haven't?"

"Just answer me!"

Phoebe looked into Theodore's eyes; they seemed to be filled with coldness. His stare made her feel a sense of embarrassment, as if she wanted to flee. But she would no longer avoid her feelings for him like she did three years ago.

"I did love you," Phoebe admitted frankly to her feelings for him. Before Theodore's cold eyes could warm up, she continued, "But not anymore." Theodore experienced what it meant to go from heaven to hell in a second.

He stared at Phoebe, his smile cold and mocking, "You say you loved me, Phoebe. You're lying, aren't you? How could I not know if you loved me?"

If he had felt even a hint of love, they wouldn't have reached an irreparable point.

Theodore put down his wine glass and grabbed Phoebe's shoulders, "Tell me, how did you love me?"

Phoebe said bitterly, "Mr. Reynolds, not all love needs to be spoken. We were married for four years. If I didn't like you, how could I endure your humiliations?" Theodore was stunned.

Phoebe broke free from his grip, pushed back her chair, and stood up, "What a waste of this meal. Mr. Reynolds, I'm not in a good mood today. Maybe another time..."

Before Phoebe could finish, Theodore pulled her into a tight embrace. He pressed against her back and whispered, "Phoebe, let's start over. This time, let's love each other the right way, okay?" Such familiar words.

Phoebe closed her eyes, her hands clasped around Theodore's wrists. She said lightly, "Mr. Reynolds, I won't go through this again."

Last time, Phoebe almost lost her life. This time, she wouldn't let herself make the same mistake.

Phoebe pulled away from Theodore's wrists, picked up her bag from the chair, and walked out of the private room with determined strides. As she reached the hallway, she saw Sandra leaning against the door. Sandra looked at her with intense hostility.

Sandra had been dining with friends at Golden Harvest Diner. When she heard that Brian and Phoebe were there, Sandra intended to say hello but ended up witnessing Theodore confessing his feelings to Phoebe. Sandra was insanely jealous.

Sandra had always thought Theodore was a cold-hearted person. Now she knew he had someone he liked, but he had given all his love and hate to Phoebe.

"Wait." Seeing Phoebe turn to leave, Sandra quickly caught up, "Ms. Ziegler, we need to talk."

Phoebe was blocked by Sandra. She frowned, "Ms. Ramirez, I have nothing to discuss with you. The person you need to talk to isn't me."

"It is you." Sandra looked at her, "Let's talk somewhere else."

Phoebe pressed her lips tightly, seeing Sandra's determined look. "Fine," she said. "I'm curious to hear what you have to say."

Sandra turned and walked in the opposite direction of the tea room. They reached a quiet corner of the lounge area before Sandra stopped. Sandra turned to Phoebe and said, "Ms. Ziegler, do you know how I met Theodore?"

"I don't want to know."

Sandra sneered, "Don't pretend to be indifferent, Phoebe. You clearly like him too. Why don't you admit it?"

"I don't understand what you're saying."

Sandra said, "I know you had three kids for a man in Caneda. That man funded you to start Superstar Entertainment. You don't dare to accept Theodore's pursuit again because you're afraid he'll find out about the kids, and in his anger, destroy the Superstar Entertainment you worked so hard to build. Am I right?"

Phoebe looked at her coldly, "You've been investigating me?"

"I didn't need to investigate much. After all, you didn't hide them. Theodore doesn't know because he thinks you can't get pregnant. Am I right?"

At this moment, Sandra was like a venomous snake, exuding malice.

Phoebe's expression didn't change. She looked at her quietly, "It seems your investigation is thorough. So, are you going to use this to threaten me?"

"Not exactly a threat, because you know your place. I just want to tell you that Theodore and I have always been close. Do you understand what I mean?" Phoebe remained silent.

Sandra continued, "We've maintained this close relationship for almost three years. Just two days before you returned to the country, we were still sleeping together. Do you really not mind?"

Phoebe's fingers stiffened at her side.noveldrama

Sandra suddenly leaned in, startling Phoebe. Just as she was about to step back, Sandra grabbed her arm and said, "Phoebe, I won't be as foolish as Vanessa to target and suppress you. I actually want to be friends with you. We can share Theodore."

Phoebe was genuinely disgusted by Sandra. Phoebe said sternly, "Let go!"

"My dad has two mistresses living in our house. They get along well with my mom, and the three of them often shopping together. So, I'm used to the idea of sharing. Especially with someone as amazing as Theodore, I wouldn't mind if he had other women too."

Sandra smiled, "If we add Vanessa, maybe we can all shopping together. What do you think?"