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.

like an invisible hand around his throat finally let go. Theodore took a deep breath, his face even paler than

rushed over. "Theodore, how's Phoebe? Is she getting

still in the clothes from the day he brought Phoebe to the hospital. Luckily, it was winter. He hadn't

hasn't woken up. I

the disheveled Theodore.

to eat something. You've lost a 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

without tasting

of infection. Don't worry, she'll pull through." Theodore looked at the green light above the ICU door and said quietly, "I saw her eyelashes move. If the doctor hadn't kicked me out, I might've seen her open her eyes." "Really?

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 know your own father?" What the

James with suspicion and slowly said,

been hurt, don't move

but 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 avoid making it

outside, listening to Vanessa's screams. People in the

and slumped into a

In one night, he lost everything,

a while, the screams stopped. The nurse had given Vanessa a sedative and re-bandaged her

doctor approached him. He looked at her, feeling lost. "Doctor, how's my