Forbidden Passion

Chapter 648 Tit for Tat

Phoebe lugged the spaghetti over, sneaking a peek at Theodore's chiseled face. Their eyes met for a hot second in the blazing summer sunset. Theodore quickly looked away, awkwardly rubbing his thumb against the corner of his eye.

Was he getting all teary-eyed?

Phoebe bit her lip. She plopped the tray on the round table, then set up the small table on the hospital bed, and slid the tray in front of Theodore. "Whipped up some spaghetti. Dig in."

Theodore gave it a once-over.

"How'd you whip this up so fast?" he asked.

Phoebe, standing by the bed, forced a reply through gritted teeth, "You said you were starving, right? If I didn't hustle, you'd be a goner by now." Not exactly a comforting thought!

Theodore took a bite, his brow furrowing. It tasted bland, like it was just salt and oil, no other flavor.

Not the taste he remembered.

He stopped eating, looking up at her, "I get you're doing this half-heartedly, but you can't just phone it in."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. Theodore's nitpicking was just like old times. She said coolly, "I threw it together. Eat it or don't."

"I'll eat." Theodore's cocky attitude quickly faded. He lowered his head and kept eating, "I know I'm not in great shape and need to eat light." Phoebe turned around, grabbed her bag from the round table, and said, "Take care. I got stuff to do, so I'm out."

Theodore quickly looked up, "You're not sticking around till I finish?"

glance, "Mr. Reynolds, I gotta make a living, so I won't be

work this late?" Theodore

set. Now, night had fallen, and the city lights were flickering on, but it was only about seven. Phoebe said,

if to chuck it. After holding it up for a while, he couldn't do it

one there when she went in. Were they worried she'd off Theodore and were guarding the door to

two bodyguards nodded at Phoebe. One of them, who Phoebe had seen two years ago, was a bodyguard Theodore had stationed at West Mountain Villas. He greeted her warmly, "Ms. Ziegler, leaving already?"

bummed and said, "Take

two more bodyguards were standing.

until the elevator doors closed and it started going down that Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, she feared Theodore would have the bodyguards stop

temples, thinking

never short of women

hit the first floor, Phoebe strode out, her phone buzzing in her bag. She

past her, but Phoebe didn't notice. She saw the caller ID and was about to answer when a somewhat familiar female voice called

rocking a new knee-length dress, looking as fresh as a college student, holding a fancy bag from a five-star restaurant.

your smarts and character. He said he's never admired anyone

since you left so decisively back then,

at Sandra. At the charity gala that night, with the lights casting shadows, she thought she had

it wasn't her imagination. Sandra indeed had it out for

Ramirez, don't flatter

you determined to compete

hear Sandra's nonsense. She turned to leave, but as soon as she lifted her foot,

turned back, "Ms. Ramirez, I'm not your rival in love. Don't waste your time and energy on me.