Forbidden Passion

Chapter 41 He is a married man

Phoebe stood in her room, helping Lucy make the bed. Her expression was somber. "Phoebe, the matriarch is certainly on your side," Lucy assured her. Phoebe remained silent.

Seeing Phoebe's desolation, Lucy continued, "The moment she heard you fell into the water, she rushed back. She genuinely cares for you. She insisted Miss Fitzroy stay the night to prevent Theodore from having to escort her home late at night. Alone together at such an hour, who knows what might happen?"

Lucy didn't have to say more; Phoebe grasped the unspoken concern.

But a second later, her heart sank.

Even her grandmother was wary of Theodore and Vanessa's possible indiscretions, a testament to how deep their past relationship must have been. Now, with Vanessa staying over, if Theodore harbored any old feelings, wouldn't proximity breed temptation?

Once the bedding was neatly arranged, Lucy patted Phoebe's shoulder. "You've got to be proactive, Phoebe. Don't float through life like a goddess who's above it all."

Phoebe's cheeks flushed with an intense red, the topic steering into awkward territory that left her feeling bewildered and embarrassed.

the bathroom to freshen up. After showering and getting out, she sat in front of the vanity mirror, dabbing her face dry, when suddenly, the bedroom door swung open from the outside. Hearing the noise, she glanced over and saw Theodore, hands casually in his pockets, strolling in with ease. Dressed casually at home, he had left the top two buttons

swallowing hard, her throat suddenly feeling parched. As he made a beeline towards her,

her, intently studying her reflection in the mirror, his focus so unnerving

you looking at me like that?" she asked, voice tinted

nearly resting on her shoulder, they were so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from him, causing her pores to relax and

firm hand reached for her neck, holding her still like a cat grasped by

"Wh-"

their mirrored images. Unabashed, he meticulously took in every

gaze swept over her eyes, ears, and lips, predatory and invasive, making Phoebe's heart race. She had rarely dared to examine Theodore closely; his presence was so overpowering that even the contours of his face seemed to exude aggression, often making her shy away

met his gaze, she struggled to believe

really," she said with

as he caressed her chin with his well-proportioned fingers, his displeasure evident. "I think we bear a striking

that they looked like a married couple before, but now, gazing closely, he realized when Phoebe was aloof, she mirrored his own cool demeanor. Turning to face her, their proximity was so suffocating that