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.

through the fields, wove wildflowers into crowns, and ate wild berries. Then, by chance, she wandered into the woods, where the towering trees blocked out the sun, and she feared stumbling upon wild beasts. Just as she decided to turn back, she heard a faint cry for help from within the woods. After hesitating, she mustered her

not far off, dressed in fine clothing. He appeared a few years older than her, his pale and handsome face dazzling in the sunlight. Phoebe had never seen such a beautiful boy and thought he

come. Little sister, please fetch some adults; I've stepped

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

you know how?" he

my grandfather taught me. Hang in there,

"Okay."

it open. Despite finding the right

sweat, with her hands nicked by the jagged edges of the animal trap, Phoebe finally managed to pry

her injured hand. He pulled out a handkerchief from his

a bum leg.

nocturnal beasts possibly prowling, they shared a moment