Forbidden Passion

Chapter 593 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The ICU lights were blindingly white, the sheets and covers were blindingly white, and even Phoebe's face, lying there in the hospital bed, looked like a ghost. Phoebe looked so delicate, like she might shatter if you touched her.

Theodore stood by the bed for what felt like forever, just staring at Phoebe without blinking. His heart was a mess of regret and pain, wishing he could rewind time. He shut his eyes. If he could go back, he'd protect Phoebe from the start, making sure she never got hurt.

The nurse stood at the door, watching Theodore. He'd been standing there for ten minutes, lost in thought, his back radiating sadness.

"Mr. Reynolds, visiting hours are over. Please come back tomorrow," the nurse said, doing her job.

Theodore's back twitched. The nurse noticed his sleeves fluttering even though there was no breeze. She realized he was trembling.

Theodore slowly bent down, one hand on the bed's edge, the other gripping the rail. His lips brushed against Phoebe's cold forehead.

He whispered, "Sleep tight, I'll be back tomorrow."

Phoebe's eyelashes fluttered.

Theodore's breath hitched. He stared at her eyes, hoping she'd open them and look at him, but it seemed like a trick of the light. Phoebe didn't move again. The nurse reminded him, "Mr. Reynolds, time's up."

Theodore clenched his fists, using all his strength to keep his emotions in check. He stood up straight and walked out.

finally let go. Theodore took a deep breath, his face even

was waiting with food for Theodore. Seeing him come out, she rushed over. "Theodore, how's Phoebe? Is she getting better? Has she woken up?" Theodore rubbed his temples

the day he brought Phoebe to the hospital. Luckily, it was winter. He hadn't shaved, and he looked completely

"She hasn't woken up. I

Theodore. She sat next to him and pushed

lot of weight these past few days. Don't make yourself sick. If you get sick, you won't be able to see Phoebe when she gets out, and that would be even worse." Theodore had no appetite, but hearing

the thermos. "Eat up. Riley made this soup early this morning.

ate without tasting

looked at the green light above the ICU door and said quietly, "I saw her eyelashes move. If

her to the hospital, and she woke up not long after the doc patched her up. When she came to, Vanessa was acting all paranoid, not letting anyone near her. She curled up at the head of the bed, shaking. "Don't touch me, get away." James had just seen Sophia off, and now seeing Vanessa like this, he was a mess. "Vanessa, it's me, Dad. Don't you

looked at James with suspicion and slowly

hurt you. You've been hurt, don't move around." James

when James tried to get

screams brought the doctors and nurses running. Vanessa's wild movements made her wounds start

really agitated right now. You should leave to

out of the room. He stood outside, listening to Vanessa's screams. People in the hallway were peeking out, trying to see what was going

his temples and slumped into

In one night, he lost everything, and his hair

had given Vanessa a sedative and re-bandaged

doctor approached him. He