Forbidden Passion

Chapter 539 Theodore's Wild Guess

"Hey, don't sweat it. Theodore might look like a grizzly, but he's a teddy bear deep down." Phoebe saw Grace was spooked by Theodore, so she grabbed her hand and led her to a bench. She fished out a tissue from her bag and handed it over. "So, spill it. What happened?" Phoebe asked. Grace's eyes welled up, and she started bawling like a lost kid. Phoebe just sat there, rubbing her back, waiting for the waterworks to stop.

Grace, still sniffling, glanced at Theodore. She hardly ever saw him at the office. Even though her dad Brandon and her brother Theodore worked just a few floors apart, their paths never crossed.

Grace felt all kinds of messed up. Theodore was her blood, but he looked at her like she was a stranger, all cold and bossy.

Phoebe noticed Grace kept sneaking peeks at Theodore, each one making her more upset. She frowned, thinking Grace might've figured something out.

This morning, when Grace met Taylor, she was totally normal, clueless. But now, something had definitely clicked.

"Grace, did you find out something?" Phoebe asked.

Grace froze, staring at Phoebe. "Phoebe."

Phoebe could see it in her eyes-Grace knew. She pinched the bridge of her nose. This was the worst time for Grace to find out about her past.

Grace was a mess, not sure if she should spill what she knew.

She even wondered if she'd imagined the whole thing, just stress messing with her head. If she was wrong, what would Phoebe think? That she was some gold-digger trying to scam the Reynolds family? No way, not even in her wildest dreams. Seeing Grace hesitate, Phoebe gently squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging look. "If you're not ready to talk, that's cool. Take your time."

Grace took another peek at Theodore and finally spoke up. "Mr. Reynolds, can we do a paternity test?"

Theodore shot back, "Even if I hit puberty early, there's no way I could have a daughter your age. Are you nuts?"

wild guess.

it," Phoebe said, trying to stifle her

just

She thinks you might be her brother, not her dad." Theodore looked a bit sheepish and rubbed

it again, laughing out

stern face turned a rare shade of red. He glared at Phoebe. "You think it's funny, me having a daughter

manage that," Phoebe said, still cracking

supposed to be a serious moment turned into a comedy show thanks to Theodore. Hearing Phoebe

feeling all

laughter. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. Look, Grace is turning blushed. Now,

looked down, her fingers twisted together, veins popping on the back

uh, not

I look like someone

at a loss for

blue was a lot, but she wasn't ready to spill the beans. If it was all a big misunderstanding, she'd apologize to Theodore later. No need to drag innocent people into this mess. Phoebe saw the conflict on Grace's face and had a pretty good idea why she was holding back. Despite everything, Grace still wanted to protect

was just too

has her reasons.

at Phoebe. "What are

should be doing a test with Mom, not you," Phoebe said

daughter. Otherwise, Madison would have had no need to drive Grace out of Queen

would make them a laughingstock. Phoebe

cut her off, his glare freezing. "I know you don't