Edward, not one to back down, had harbored his own grievances toward Theodore. He’d stolen the woman Edward adored, only to treat her with disdain, a level of arrogant entitlement that gnawed at him. Like two enraged beasts, they dove into battle, avoiding Phoebe yet consumed by their fight. It was a ferocious exchange of fists and feet, each blow landing with raw force. Soon, both men sported the marks of their clash.

Phoebe stood petrified, witnessing their desperate struggle, unable to comprehend how things had escalated to this point.

“Phoebe, what are you waiting for? Separate them!” Vanessa, beside herself with urgency, urged her to intervene.

She had never before seen Theodore so violent and fierce; it was as if he had shredded his suave exterior to reveal a bloodthirsty and confrontational nature beneath.

Yet ironically, the one who had exposed this side of him was Phoebe.

Startled awake, Phoebe hurriedly tried to intervene.

“Stop it, both of you, just stop!”

The commotion had attracted a crowd of curious onlookers from the hospital’s family waiting area. They watched as the two men, seemingly out of their minds with rage, were ready to do each other in. The tense atmosphere deterred anyone from attempting to break up the fight.

Phoebe had just gotten close when a stray kick from somewhere nearly sent her tumbling. Wincing in pain with a muffled gasp, both men paused, their attention suddenly on her. Phoebe was weak; she clutched her mouth and began to cough violently.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Theodore shoved Edward away and sprang to his feet, rushing over to Phoebe, “Are you hurt? Let me take you to see a doctor.”

Between coughs, her cheeks a mix of red and white, Phoebe’s tears streamed down her face.

Vanessa’s eyes, filled with envy, took in Theodore’s handsome face, now marred with bruises and contusions – badges of honor from fighting for Phoebe. Why her?

What was so special about Phoebe that the usually composed and restrained Theodore would throw caution to the wind and brawl with Edward for her sake?

Vanessa saw Edward get up and head towards them, a sinister gleam passing through his eyes. She suddenly yelled, “Edward, have you lost your mind? Theodore, watch out!”

Theodore’s back was to Edward. Hearing Vanessa’s warning and realizing Edward was relentless, his anger peaked. Without a second thought, he spun around, throwing a punch in Edward’s direction. Edward, caught off guard by Theodore’s sudden attack, had no time to dodge the incoming fist.

“Edward, get out of the way!”

In a flash, a pale shadow rushed over and slammed into him hard.

The next second came with the sickening sound of breaking bones as Phoebe was sent flying, crashing to the ground. She curled up from the pain, her lips parting to release a trickle of blood. “Cough, cough, cough…”

Time seemed to freeze in that agonizing moment. Theodore remained stiff, fist still extended from the punch he’d thrown, not believing that Phoebe had intervened to take the blow meant for Edward. Taken full strength, no holding back.

How deeply must she love Edward to refuse to let him be harmed, even in the slightest? She would rather bear the pain herself than let him suffer a single scratch.