Forbidden Passion

Chapter 523 Who Bullied Whom

In the hospital room, Sophia was hooked up to a respirator, looking pale as a ghost. Vanessa stood by her bed, tears streaming down her face. She heard footsteps behind her and almost lost her balance.

Theodore reached out to steady her, only letting go once she was okay.

The heart monitor beeped every now and then. Vanessa covered her face, sobbing, "I thought she'd be around longer, that she'd see me get married, have kids, teach them to write like she taught me. I thought we'd grow old together." Theodore just looked down, staying quiet.

Life could be so fragile, gone in the blink of an eye, leaving those left behind with endless regrets. Vanessa choked up, "If I had known, I wouldn't have been so stubborn. I wouldn't have gone to Nyxonia, and I wouldn't have stayed away for three years."

"Vanessa," Theodore said, "Yesterday's gone. No matter how much you blame yourself, it won't change anything. Cherish the time you have left with Sophia, and don't upset her anymore." Vanessa looked at him through her tears. "Theodore, can you help me take care of my mom?"

Theodore frowned, his usually distant look getting even colder. "The hospital has doctors and nurses. They'll take good care of Sophia."

Vanessa's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected Theodore to be so cold. She clenched her fists. "But they aren't you."

What she needed wasn't a doctor, but a rock to lean on.

"Vanessa, you seem to forget that I'm a CEO, not a doctor. I don't treat illnesses," Theodore said flatly. "And if you and James can't handle it, I'll hire a professional caregiver for Sophia." Vanessa's fingers stiffened. Was Theodore planning to just ignore them?

How could he be so heartless?

Vanessa called, "Theodore."

"It's getting late, and Sophia's still asleep. I won't disturb her," Theodore said, turning to leave the room.

his back with resentment and said, "Do you know how

doorknob. He turned to look at Vanessa,

felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her. Vanessa felt a chill all over. She watched Theodore

couldn't use Sophia's illness to keep Theodore

her lip hard, letting out a

you, but I hate the woman who stole your heart. If I can't have you, I won't let

quickly turned off her screen and stood up.

eyebrow, "If I didn't come out quickly, should I stay in there for

glanced at the closed hospital room door and met Vanessa's

"What are you looking

and hurried to catch up with Theodore. "You sure it's cool to leave Sophia

wait until Sophia woke up

"Yeah, let's

button for their floor. "So, why

was trending 'cause he buttoned his

idiot? How does a grown man mess up buttoning his shirt? That's just

glance. "You can ask him yourself. But his fans are all over it, saying he's cute and they wanna be the button he messed up. Some even posted pics of themselves doing the same. Might start a trend." "Tomorrow, I'll have security check. Anyone who buttons their shirt wrong on purpose

a laugh. "That's fashion, a

something. "Last night, you brought me back from the bar. Who took Cindy home?" she asked. Theodore

did he and Cindy hook up? Why didn't

how they got together?" Theodore had zero interest in other people's love lives, especially since Patrick switched partners like he changed

glared at him. "Patrick and Cindy are dating, and you kept it from me. What if