Forbidden Passion

Chapter 42 Still love him

Vanessa's eyes locked onto the blush staining Phoebe's cheeks, her expression twisting momentarily with an envy that scorched her insides. What had they been doing before she knocked? Could it have been...

"Miss Ziegler, I'm looking for Theodore," said Vanessa, her voice betraying none of the envy she'd ground down and swallowed, opting instead for a facade of calm as she addressed Phoebe. Phoebe's brow knitted slightly. Vanessa was hardly discreet about her intentions. "At this hour? What do you need Mr. Fitzroy for?"

"My door won't lock properly; I was hoping Theodore could take a look," Vanessa explained.

Phoebe glanced at the room across the hall. She had just been inside with Lucy, and the door had locked without issue. Was Vanessa suggesting to Theodore that she'd leave her door open for him? "There's no need to bother him with that; I can fix it," Phoebe said before squeezing past Vanessa and firmly shutting the door behind her, blocking her view.

Vanessa gritted her teeth, a hint of sarcasm edging her tone. "I wouldn't have pegged you as the handywoman type, Miss Ziegler."

"There's a lot you wouldn't expect about me." Phoebe headed over to the problematic door, testing the handle several times, confirming that it was indeed broken-sabotaged, more likely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Vanessa avoiding her gaze, evidently rattled by Phoebe's insight.

I'll grab my toolbox,"

bite of frustration

common issues like this. It didn't take her long to fix the door. Vanessa's demeanor darkened even

Phoebe offered a parting piece of advice, "Get some rest, Miss

the repaired

to her own room, Theodore had finished his shower, dressed only in a pair of black boxer-briefs and a loose black T-shirt-his well-built thighs constrained by the fabric of his shorts, his legs long and toned. Phoebe let her

on the vanity stool, legs

fix her door," Phoebe replied, carefully avoiding a direct

"Did you?" Theodore pressed.

I reminded her to lock up, keep out the troublemakers," said Phoebe indirectly hinting to Theodore

light chuckle, "You sure

into bed, she caught Theodore toweling his hair in her peripheral vision. She reached for her tablet and began to catch up on the