Forbidden Passion

Chapter 656 Kept Her Fingerprint

Phoebe finally caved to Grace's nagging. She locked up the car, stashed the keys and phone, and strolled through the 'hood, ending up downstairs. The path was so burned into her brain she could probably walk it blindfolded.

Phoebe let out a big sigh.

What had done was done, so why kept stressing over it?

She stepped into the building and rode the elevator up. As soon as the doors slid open on the top floor, there was Grace, pacing like a maniac. Grace practically yanked her out of the elevator. "Phoebe, you finally made it. Another minute and I was gonna call you."

"Yeah, sorry." Phoebe hustled after Grace to the apartment door.

Same old dark gray carpet, colorful oil paintings in the hall, and that familiar sofa set by the entrance. It was like stepping back in time two years. Nothing had changed.

"It's cool, I was hoping you'd help me with this anyway." Grace didn't seem to notice Phoebe's weird vibe. She opened the fingerprint lock and stood there, all jittery. "Phoebe, go ahead, press it." Phoebe's fingers twitched at her side. Without waiting for Grace to push her again, she stuck her index finger on the scanner.

The door clicked open.

Phoebe was floored.

Grace beamed at her, practically bouncing. "Phoebe, it worked! I told you, Theodore kept your fingerprints, waiting for you to come back."

Phoebe stood there, staring at her finger, thinking the lock must be glitching. She'd used this scanner for four years; it had to be old data, not that Theodore hadn't wiped it.

"Come on, let's check it out." Grace tugged at Phoebe, but then felt a tug on her wrist. She turned, confused. "Phoebe?"

Phoebe gently pulled her hand back. "You go ahead, I'll wait here."

argue, a black blur zipped past her feet, making her

Phoebe asked softly, her eyes shifting from Ollie, who was circling her legs, to Grace's pained expression. Grace rubbed her sore spot and shook her head. "I'm fine, Phoebe.

Phoebe nodded. "Alright."

who kept pawing at her pants and sniffing

like Ollie was trying

recognize her. It

warmth in her

strike. When she left, she was so heartbroken she didn't take anything, not even Ollie. Seeing Ollie

hugged Ollie, realizing it was all solid under that fluffy fur. It wasn't her imagination; Ollie

Phoebe struggled to lift Ollie and moved to the sofa. She plopped Ollie on her lap and scratched

feeding you to

softly. Seeing Ollie about to go full claws-out, she quickly apologized, "Sorry, you're not chunky at

What on earth

It was her first time at the Imperial Apartment, and she had no clue where the light switches were. Using the faint light from the window, she made her way

spot in the Reynolds family was awkward. She had the Reynolds blood, but they didn't treat

just some stranger with Reynolds

was okay living with the Reynolds family. So even though Theodore was always distant,

a frown on his face. In the pale yellow light, his forehead was

She put her hand on Theodore's forehead, feeling a palmful of sweat and

with concern, "Theodore, you've got a fever. Hang in there, I'll call

hot hand gripped her wrist like a vice. Theodore's

Even sick, Theodore

didn't dare to argue and called the family

her wrist and closed his eyes again. Even his breath was hot. He raised his hand to his forehead and hoarsely asked, "What time