Forbidden Passion

Chapter 502 The Truth About Harper's Tragedy

Theodore grabbed Phoebe's hand and yanked her into his arms, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. "Cut it out, Evelyn's watching us."

Evelyn, catching sight of the two, felt a warm fuzziness inside and chuckled. "Don't mind me. Keep on with your lovey-dovey stuff, just act like I'm invisible." Phoebe, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks under Evelyn's gaze, tried to pull her hand away, but Theodore held on tight.

She shot him a quick look, and he just smiled back, his eyes locked onto hers.

Phoebe's ears turned red, and her heart started racing like crazy.

Evelyn watched the silent exchange between them, feeling all warm and fuzzy. Over the years, she knew Phoebe hadn't been truly happy.

Every time they met, Phoebe looked tired, and Evelyn had even regretted pushing her to marry Theodore back then.

With Phoebe's skills, she could've raised a kid just fine on her own. Evelyn just didn't want her to go through too much hardship.

Now, seeing Theodore and Phoebe getting along better, Evelyn felt she hadn't messed up. If they had a kid, they'd be a happy little family of three.

Theodore and Phoebe took the elevator down. It was still snowing outside, and the car wasn't parked at the entrance. Theodore told Phoebe and Evelyn to wait at the door while he went to get the car. Watching Theodore walk into the snow, his tall figure slowly disappearing, Phoebe finally got a moment alone with Evelyn. She asked the question that had been bugging her. "Mom, how did Dad die back then?"

Evelyn was caught off guard. "Why are you asking this now? Donovan asked me the same thing a few days ago."

Phoebe frowned. "I was too young when Dad passed away, and I don't know the details. So I wanted to ask."

after Donovan was born, Harper suddenly wanted to quit his

The first year, your dad lost everything and was too embarrassed to come back. The second year, he made some money, came back for a few days,

the snowflakes swirling around,

so I took Donovan and found work as a maid for the Vanderbilt family. Later, Harper came back, said he had made

first time Phoebe heard Evelyn talk about Harper. Phoebe thought, 'Was Dad really that

"How did you know he was

replied, "A fellow townsman told me. He said the ship sank, and no one survived. I was devastated, but what could I do? You

who stood in the doorway's light, the lines on her face showing the

to find him later?" Phoebe

found the shipping company, but they said I had no proof I was your dad's family, so they wouldn't give me his belongings or any compensation. I

"Mom, I remember someone chasing after you when I was little. You never remarried. Is it because you never accepted that Dad was really

of your bad temper. If you had a stepfather, he would've straightened you

help but laugh. She had been a stubborn, strong-willed kid, not exactly

was just an accident, nothing more. You and Theodore

caught off

gentle push. "Get in the car. Come home more often when you can." Phoebe stood in the snow, watching Evelyn wave at her, her heart

drove out of Golden Apartment. Phoebe didn't look away until Evelyn's

She turned to Theodore, Evelyn's words still echoing in her

me like that?" Theodore's palm covered her eyelids.