Forbidden Passion

Chapter 26 Grandchild at any cost

"Phoebe, Phoebe..." Edward lunged forward, carefully lifting Phoebe into his arms, his movements soft and gentle, for fear of hurting her. "Doctor, Doctor, Phoebe's hurt, Doctor..."

Phoebe was coughing violently, her consciousness slipping into a haze. As Edward carried her past Theodore, her eyes widened to look at him. In that instant, she felt Theodore was like a soulless marionette, hollow and frightening. She tried to get a clearer look, but her eyelids grew heavier until darkness completely engulfed her.

Vanessa watched Edward carry Phoebe away, then quickly moved to Theodore's side, anxiously grabbing his fist that was frozen mid-air. "Theodore, you're badly injured, let's get you bandaged up, okay?" Theodore shook off her hand and walked away without a word.

"Theodore, Theodore..." Vanessa chased after him a few steps, then stood helplessly as he disappeared behind a wall of people. "Phoebe!" she spat out through clenched teeth, the word laced with deep-seated hatred.

*

Phoebe had a dream. She was back in her childhood, visiting her grandmother's house in the countryside with her mother. The air was sweet and free.

where the towering trees blocked out the sun, and she feared stumbling upon wild beasts. Just as

few years older than her, his pale and handsome face dazzling in the sunlight. Phoebe

boy's eyes brightened upon seeing her. "At last, someone's come. Little

leather boots punctured by the trap, a faint trace of blood seeping out. Kneeling by his side, she said, "You've hurt your foot; the trap needs

you know how?" he

Hang in there, I'll get it off,"

"Okay."

knelt and studied the trap, then began to pry it open. Despite finding the right technique,

in sweat, with her hands nicked by the jagged edges of the animal trap, Phoebe

hand. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, took her hand, and carefully wrapped it with the

no big deal; I'm tough as nails and used to scrapes. But you've got a bum leg. How

they shared a moment of silence. Phoebe then