[He peeled an apple for me and even cut it into bite-sized pieces. Such tender care. A picture of a neatly arranged fruit plate.] [Why is he so good to me? He even draped his jacket over my shoulders. Teehee! An image of a tailored Hermès blazer.]
With each new post, Phoebe’s heart sank deeper. She snuffed out the light of her phone screen and shoved the device back into her pocket, feeling an icy chill inside. So, Theodore had done so much for Vanessa while Phoebe was unconscious -things he never did for her. Her eyes welled up as she turned to gaze out the car window.
The dusk had settled, casting a mottled light inside. Theodore glanced in the rearview mirror, catching Phoebe’s determined yet chilled profile.
Lady Reynolds was a woman of deep spiritual beliefs who made annual retreats to a secluded sanctuary, dedicating three months each year to personal reflection and peace. She typically returned in September, but this year, she came back a month early.
By the time they reached the Reynolds Mansion, darkness had enveloped everything, yet the estate was illuminated with brilliant lights.
Lady Reynolds sat on the living room sofa, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, her face crinkled with a joyful smile, exuding a dignified grace.
As Theodore and Phoebe walked in, Lady Reynolds waved her over, “Phoebe, come here, let grandma get a good look at you.”
Quickening her pace, Phoebe approached and felt a surge of warmth when Lady Reynolds took her hand. “Grandma, what brought you back early?”
“I heard about your accident and wanted to check on you. Look at you, all skin and bones! Theodore, haven’t you been feeding Phoebe?” Lady Reynolds chided him.
Theodore hurried over with a smile, “Grandma, you know Phoebe’s always had a slender constitution.”
“Oh, that petite face of yours, just breaks my heart,” Lady Reynolds continued, glancing at her flat abdomen, “So thin. When are you going to give me a great-grandson?”
Phoebe’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment, a tinge of shame stirring within her. She knew how much Lady Reynolds looked forward to a great-grandchild, but Phoebe feared that she might never be able to conceive. With that thought, she turned to look at Theodore.
Theodore didn’t look at her but continued to soothe his grandmother, “Grandma, I’ll try my best. Maybe soon you’ll be able to hold a great-grandchild.”
Lady Reynolds, charmed by his words, beamed with joy, and the room was filled with warmth and happiness.
Phoebe pursed her lips, glancing towards Vanessa, who stood not far behind them. Her presence at the family dinner was a clear sign of where Theodore’s affections lay. When he spoke of making an effort, Phoebe understood it was not with her, but with Vanessa that he intended to try.
After all, given her current health condition, no amount of effort on his part would lead to a baby.
A pang of sorrow struck Phoebe’s heart.
At that moment, Vanessa approached, crouching in front of the elderly matriarch with a smile as radiant as the blossoms of spring. “Grandma, do you remember me?”
After looking at Vanessa for a few seconds, Lady Reynolds recognized her, “You must be Vanessa, my dear. You’ve become more beautiful with each passing day. I can barely recognize you.” Laughing, Vanessa replied, “Oh, Grandma, you’re the true beauty here. I’m merely passable compared to you, hardly worth mentioning.”
Lady Reynolds chuckled heartily. “You do have a way with words. When did you get back? You’ll stay this time, won’t you?”
“Yep, I’ll be staying here in the North Side. There’s something precious I’ve been chasing, and I intend to get it back,” Vanessa responded, then shyly stole a glance at Theodore before bowing her head. That bashful demeanor in Vanessa’s eyes seemed to Phoebe like a clear signal of a rekindled romance with Theodore, which burned her from the inside out.