Seeing Phoebe’s desolation, Lucy continued, “The moment she heard you fell into the water, she rushed back. She genuinely cares for you. She insisted Miss Fitzroy stay the night to prevent Theodore from having to escort her home late at night. Alone together at such an hour, who knows what might happen?”

Lucy didn’t have to say more; Phoebe grasped the unspoken concern.

But a second later, her heart sank.

Even her grandmother was wary of Theodore and Vanessa’s possible indiscretions, a testament to how deep their past relationship must have been. Now, with Vanessa staying over, if Theodore harbored any old feelings, wouldn’t proximity breed temptation?

Once the bedding was neatly arranged, Lucy patted Phoebe’s shoulder. “You’ve got to be proactive, Phoebe. Don’t float through life like a goddess who’s above it all.”

Phoebe’s cheeks flushed with an intense red, the topic steering into awkward territory that left her feeling bewildered and embarrassed.

Retreating to her bedroom, she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. After showering and getting out, she sat in front of the vanity mirror, dabbing her face dry, when suddenly, the bedroom door swung open from the outside. Hearing the noise, she glanced over and saw Theodore, hands casually in his pockets, strolling in with ease. Dressed casually at home, he had left the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing an alluring glimpse of his Adam’s apple and a hint of his neck.

Phoebe found herself swallowing hard, her throat suddenly feeling parched. As he made a beeline towards her, she pretended to be engrossed in patting her face, avoiding his intense gaze.

Theodore stopped behind her, intently studying her reflection in the mirror, his focus so unnerving that it sent a wave of tension through Phoebe.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, voice tinted with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

Leaning in, his chin nearly resting on her shoulder, they were so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from him, causing her pores to relax and open. Phoebe tried to look away.

A firm hand reached for her neck, holding her still like a cat grasped by the claws of fate, daring not to move again.

“Wh-”

“Do you think we look alike?” Theodore’s eyes locked on their mirrored images. Unabashed, he meticulously took in every detail of Phoebe’s features for the first time.

His gaze swept over her eyes, ears, and lips, predatory and invasive, making Phoebe’s heart race. She had rarely dared to examine Theodore closely; his presence was so overpowering that even the contours of his face seemed to exude aggression, often making her shy away from his striking looks.

Now, as she bravely met his gaze, she struggled to believe that she had been with this man for three years.

“Not really,” she said with a hesitant voice.

Theodore’s eyes narrowed slightly as he caressed her chin with his well-proportioned fingers, his displeasure evident. “I think we bear a striking resemblance.”

He had never agreed with his Aunt Linda’s claim that they looked like a married couple before, but now, gazing closely, he realized when Phoebe was aloof, she mirrored his own cool demeanor. Turning to face her, their proximity was so suffocating that their breath intertwined, laden with unspoken tension.

Her heart pounded wildly. What was Theodore up to?

The moment was ripe with anticipation when suddenly, a knock at the bedroom door disrupted everything.

Phoebe sprang to her feet, her movements frantic, “I’ll…I’ll get the door.”

Theodore twirled his finger, as if the softness of her skin lingered on his fingertips, sending ripples of desire through him.

Her cheeks a fiery red, Phoebe stood at the door taking a deep breath before pulling it open. The sight of the visitor caused her mouth to downturn immediately.