Phoebe was too freaked out to even twitch. She sat ramrod straight on Theodore, scared stiff that any move would catch Jack’s eye up front. Theodore leaned in, “Chill out, will ya? Loosen up a bit.”

He put his hand on her back, feeling her tense as a board. It was bugging him, and he frowned.

Jack heard the ruckus behind him. His hand jerked on the wheel, but he kept his eyes glued to the road, his ears turning a suspicious shade of red. Was he getting a free show or what?

Phoebe bit her lip, praying Theodore wouldn’t drop another bomb. She melted into him, leaning close.

Only then did Theodore stop fidgeting. He shut his eyes, his breathing evened out, and he dozed off as the car zoomed down the highway.

Phoebe knew he was beat. The guy had been pulling all-nighters at the hospital, juggling a million things. Even a robot would crash under that load. They rolled into Imperial Apartment and parked in the underground garage. Jack finally dared a quick peek in the rearview mirror.

Phoebe was still awake, listening to Theodore’s steady breathing. She said, “Jack, grab a cab home. Mr. Reynolds is wiped; let him catch some Z’s.”

Jack saw them in the back and quickly looked away, nodding. He hopped out, gently closing the door behind him.

The door click made Theodore stir, his brow furrowing like he was about to wake up.

Phoebe quickly pressed her fingers to his temples. His frown eased, and he drifted back into deep sleep.

Listening to his calm breathing, Phoebe sighed in relief. She leaned against his chest, tuning into his heartbeat.

The position was a pain, but she didn’t budge, scared to wake him.

They didn’t get many moments like this.

In the past three years, hugs were rare. Even during their intimate moments, Theodore would pull away right after, never sticking around for a cuddle. Actually, the past six months had been their most touchy-feely time. With their hearts pressed together, Phoebe felt a fleeting connection.

The garage was dead quiet. The window was cracked, and the heater was on. In the cozy atmosphere, Phoebe soon drifted off.

Theodore woke up to his phone buzzing. He opened his eyes, feeling pins and needles in his limbs, and found Phoebe snuggled against him, fast asleep.

He fished out his phone and answered. Lawton’s voice came through, “Mr. Reynolds, I got the info you wanted.”

Theodore kept his voice low, “Spill it.”

Lawton picked up on the vibe, lowering his voice too, “I checked the nearby cams. The ones outside the alley were messed with, but a dashcam from a parked car caught the whole thing. That car had been there for two days. I talked to the owner and watched the footage. I clipped the part with the accident and sent it to you. Check it out.”

Theodore pressed his lips together, “Got it.”

After hanging up, he muted his phone and opened the video in the dim car.

The clip was short, just a minute and a half.

In the dark alley, a car crept by at first, then suddenly gunned it.

Grace, standing by the roadside, got slammed by the car and was sent flying, landing in the snow. The car hesitated for a few seconds before speeding off. But the dashcam got a clear shot of the driver’s face.

Theodore felt a chill run down his spine.

He couldn’t wrap his head around what Phoebe had told him earlier. To him, Madison was just a bit spoiled, but a hit-and-run? No way.

Theodore always thought Madison knew right from wrong and knew what lines not to cross.

But clearly, he had given her too much credit.

The phone’s glow lit up Theodore’s increasingly grim face. He turned it off and rubbed his face with his hand.

With everyone around him showing their true colors, what could he even believe in anymore?

When Phoebe woke up, she saw the familiar ceiling and realized she was back in the apartment.

She was now in comfy pajamas. Phoebe sat up, wrapped in the blanket, and opened the smart curtains.

The sky was clear, and the morning sun poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, scattering golden light everywhere, making her squint.

The room was perfectly warm. Phoebe got out of bed, walked barefoot to the window, stretched, and watched the snow melt outside.

After a bit, she headed to the bathroom for a shower.

Her skin had been acting up from all the late nights. Phoebe slapped on a face mask that smelled like spit.

But it worked wonders.

Even if it stank, she had to deal with it.

After 15 minutes, Phoebe left the bedroom. As she walked through the hallway to the living room, Ollie, who had been peeking out from the window, suddenly puffed up and leaped onto the cat tree with a yowl. Phoebe rolled her eyes.

She thought if Ollie could talk, it’d definitely be saying, “What kind of monster is this? Scared me to death.” Phoebe walked over, looking at the wary Ollie, and said helplessly, “You can’t even recognize me. What a waste of raising you.” Probably because Phoebe’s scent felt familiar, Ollie tentatively sniffed forward, but upon smelling the spit-like scent, it recoiled in disgust.

Standing by the cat tree, Phoebe noticed that Ollie’s litter box had new litter, and its food bowl had fresh cat food.

She didn’t bother with Ollie anymore and turned to the kitchen.

Phoebe heated up a bag of medicine and drank it. Seeing the breakfast Theodore had left for her in the pot, she couldn’t help but smile.

The mask time was almost up. Phoebe went to the bathroom to wash her face and checked the mirror. Her skin looked way better.

Phoebe put on some light makeup, had breakfast, and left with her bag.

With Taylor and the nurse at the hospital, Phoebe didn’t head there. She went to the company first. As soon as she arrived at the CEO’s office area, she felt the vibe was off. Phoebe walked to the secretary’s desk and asked Carol, “What’s up?”

Carol raised her chin towards the CEO’s office and lowered her voice, “Miss Reynolds got called into Mr. Reynolds’ office early this morning and hasn’t come out yet.”

As she spoke, the CEO’s office door swung open, and Madison ran out, tears streaming down her face.

As she passed by Phoebe, Madison shot her a nasty glare and spat out a harsh threat, “Phoebe, just you wait. I won’t let you off easy.”