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 tell

She had never been so scared of Theodore speaking. His voice felt like a

want to hear it. I'll make you

to pull away, but Theodore held her tight. Her shoulders hit his solid chest, sending

coast last night and fell into the sea. The coast guard searched all night and only found the wreckage. Donovan is missing." Missing was easier to swallow than dead.

with last night's waves, Theodore said "missing" to soften the

hadn't been holding her,

her like a thunderclap. Her vision blurred,

carried her to the living room, gently placing her on the sofa. He knelt in front of

over, its paws gripping the sofa as it peeked out, watching the

just sit there. I'm really worried about

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

almost pleading, "You're

but he held her hand and said firmly, "I'm not

his face, "Look, he called me last night. It's impossible.

hugged her tightly, "Phoebe, don't do

but he wouldn't let go. She was desperate, crying out, "I don't believe it, Theodore. Tell me, is he hiding because he's scared of getting into trouble?" "No,"

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

was just a softer way of saying Donovan was likely gone for

Theodore was scared she might hurt herself. He hugged her tighter, "Phoebe, cry if you need to. After

her heart out, her body going limp. Eventually, she

checking her over, the

went back to the bedroom