Forbidden Passion

Chapter 44 Mary refused

"It's late. We should get back," Theodore said.

They walked back along the path, Vanessa sidling up close to him, creating an intimacy between them. "How are you settling in since you've been back?" Theodore inquired.

"Yeah," Vanessa glanced sideways at him. The sparse moonlight draped over him, casting a silvery glow.

"It's just that since the day I fell into the water, I can't sleep well at night, I'm constantly waking up from nightmares."

Theodore commented, "That's a normal reaction humans have after experiencing a traumatic event. If it gets worse, I suggest you see a therapist."

"A therapist?" Vanessa gaped at him, incredulous. "I'm not that bad off. It might just be because my window faces the pool, and that keeps me up."

She looked up at him, "I'm a bit scared. Can you wait until I fall asleep before you leave?"

had still wandered into her room, and Vanessa couldn't wait to see if Phoebe

returned to his room. After a refreshing shower, he lingered

darkness, Phoebe's

from the sitting room ceased soon after,

heavy weight settled in her chest, and sleep eluded her for a long time. Eventually, she sat up, grabbed the tablet from her nightstand, and continued watching a reality show in the dark. The pale light illuminated her petite face, creating a mottled tapestry of shadows. She kept

night spent staring at the screen, Phoebe's eyes were sore. Post-rinse, the mirror reflected her red-rimmed eyes, betraying a night of

Theodore curled up on the couch, seemingly too tall for the space, his legs

a door across the hall swung open, as if the person had been lying in wait just behind it. When Vanessa saw it was

toyed with the towel in her hand, her tone suggestive, "Theodore left his towel in my

and clenched her jaw before responding, "I'll take it to

you curious about what happened between Theodore and