Forbidden Passion

Chapter 556 Phoebe Heartbroken

Phoebe's heart did a somersault. Donovan never called this late unless something was seriously up. The last time he did, he was knee-deep in trouble in Starfall City. She hit redial. After a few nerve-wracking rings, she got the dreaded automated message.

"The number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later."

Phoebe hung up and tried again. It was still off. Panic set in, and she quickly dialed Evelyn, "Mom, did Donovan come back last night?"

Evelyn was deep in a card game with her friends, "No clue, honey. I didn't go home last night."

Phoebe's anxiety spiked, "Mom, I called Donovan, but his phone's off. Can you check if he's home? If he is, tell him to call me back."

"Is it urgent? If not, just wait." Evelyn said, barely paying attention as she grabbed another card.

Evelyn had been on a winning streak for the past two days and was too engrossed to care about anything else.

Phoebe could hear the commotion on Evelyn's end and felt a wave of frustration. Evelyn always tuned out the world when she played cards.

Phoebe hung up, threw on some clothes, and headed for the door. Just as she reached it, it swung open, and there stood Theodore, looking like he just walked out of a snowstorm. Phoebe blinked at him. He was in a black coat, making his already intense vibe even more intimidating. His hair was damp, and he looked like he was carved out of ice. "Theodore." Phoebe stood there, stunned.

Theodore looked at her, his lips a tight line. He seemed to struggle with what to say but knew he couldn't avoid it. He called out, "Phoebe."

"Come in first. Your clothes are wet." Phoebe cut him off, sensing he was about to drop a bombshell.

She tossed her bag on the shoe cabinet, "Have you had breakfast? I'll whip something up for you. Just a sec."

As she turned to leave, Theodore stepped in, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close.

said, "Phoebe, there's something I need to

scared of Theodore speaking. His voice

want to hear

held her tight. Her shoulders hit his solid chest, sending a jolt

eyes, "Donovan had a car accident by the coast last night and fell into the sea. The coast guard searched

sea, with last night's waves, Theodore said "missing"

hadn't been holding her, she would've hit

hit her like a thunderclap. Her vision blurred,

carried her to the living room, gently placing her

paws gripping the sofa as it

up, "Phoebe, say something. Don't just sit there. I'm really worried about

space, her mind still reeling from the bombshell. Slowly, she started to come

almost pleading, "You're lying,

hand

and shoved it in his face, "Look, he called me last night. It's impossible. You must be lying." Her tears fell onto Theodore's hand, burning like acid,

her tightly, "Phoebe, don't do

desperate, crying out, "I don't believe it, Theodore. Tell me,

hiding because he's scared I'll scold him. He's always been irresponsible. He wouldn't fall into the sea, no way!" Phoebe would rather believe Donovan was hiding out like he did in Starfall City than accept he fell into the sea on

"missing" was just a softer way of saying Donovan was

she might hurt herself. He hugged her tighter, "Phoebe, cry if you need

out, her body going limp. Eventually, she

and quickly called the family doctor. After checking her over, the doctor said, "Mrs. Reynolds fainted from grief. She'll be fine after

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