Theodore and Edward rushed out, just in time to see Phoebe crash the black Bentley into the courtyard wall. Their hearts nearly stopped. Theodore yelled, “Phoebe, stop!”

Edward saw the determination in her eyes and froze, his mind reeling.

“Phoebe, stop now!” Edward shouted.

A loud crash echoed.

The wall had a huge hole, the Bentley’s front was wrecked, and the car was stuck, buzzing weakly.

Airbags pinned Phoebe to the seat. Bricks fell on the roof, and then everything went silent.

Phoebe felt dizzy, blood trickling down her forehead. She closed her eyes, thinking, ‘Am I going to die? Am I finally leaving this hell?’

‘I tried so hard to love Theodore, but I’m still alone. Loving him is exhausting; can I stop?’ she wondered.

Theodore stood in the snow, staring at the wrecked Bentley. He felt like Phoebe was looking at him.

The light in her eyes dimmed, her eyelids drooping. Though it was silent, his ears roared.

“Phoebe!” Theodore screamed, rushing to the car. Edward moved too.

They reached the car door together, hearts breaking at the sight of unconscious Phoebe.

No time for fear; they had to save her.

The driver’s door was stuck, so they went through the back seat.

Theodore and Edward set aside their differences, working together. One moved bricks, the other opened the back door.

Ollie, shivering in the back seat, watched warily. A brick smashed the window, shattering glass.

Ollie hissed at Edward, who ignored it.

Theodore pushed Edward aside, climbed in, and checked Phoebe’s pulse. It was faint, but there.

“She’s still alive,” Theodore whispered, almost crying.

Edward sighed in relief. “Puncture the airbag and hand her to me.”

Theodore deflated the airbag, noticing the blood on Phoebe’s forehead. His heart ached, but he didn’t waste time. He reclined the seat, unbuckled her, and lifted her. Edward was ready to take her, but Theodore’s icy glare stopped him.

Theodore climbed out with Phoebe and headed to Edward’s SUV. Edward followed, fists clenched, watching Phoebe’s pale face against Theodore’s chest. Theodore, drenched in cold sweat, felt the freezing wind cut through him.

Phoebe felt so light in his arms, like she could slip away any second.

He reached the SUV but couldn’t open the door while holding her. “Edward, what are you standing there for? Open the door.”

Edward, teeth clenched, looked at Phoebe’s pale face. He didn’t argue and yanked the door open.

Theodore got in with Phoebe, then heard a cat’s meow. He saw Ollie still shivering in the Bentley.

He frowned. “Mr. Vanderbilt, could you get the cat?”

Edward sneered. “It’s not my cat. Why should I?”

“It’s Phoebe’s cat,” Theodore said.

Edward glared but went to get Ollie.

Edward placed Ollie on the front seat, but it jumped to the back, avoiding the front.

Ollie lay next to Theodore, placing a paw on his leg, looking up at Phoebe.

Ollie meowed, as if saying, “Please don’t die. These guys can’t take care of me!”

Theodore’s eyes softened. “You’re worried too, huh? She’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Edward sneered, wiping his mouth. “She hid to avoid you. Without you chasing her, she wouldn’t have tried to kill herself.”

To Edward, Phoebe’s desperate act was Theodore’s fault.

Theodore gritted his teeth. “Edward, if you hadn’t interfered, we wouldn’t be here. This is on you too.”

Their brief cooperation shattered, tension rising.

Edward glared. “Theodore, she was my girlfriend. You took her from me.”

“You’d already broken up. Blame yourself for letting her go,” Theodore shot back.

Edward was furious. “You!”

His blood boiled. “You opportunist, stop pretending to be a good guy!”

“I never said I was. I do whatever it takes to get what I want. Once I have it, I won’t let go,” Theodore said coldly.

Edward gripped the steering wheel tightly. Theodore’s voice came from behind, “Edward, if you hadn’t hesitated, none of this would have happened.” Edward’s hesitation had given Theodore the chance. So who was to blame?

“Shut up!” Edward growled, slamming the gas pedal. The car sped off, and Ollie, startled, puffed up again.

It really didn’t want to hear the engine roar again!

The car sped through the snow, the outline of a mountain appearing outside. Theodore looked down at unconscious Phoebe.

He gently kissed her forehead.

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