Phoebe opened her eyes to a blinding white ceiling, feeling disoriented. “Am I dead? Why is hell so bright?” she thought.

Her throat burned, and her chest ached as her senses returned. Pain spread through her bones like vines, suffocating her and squeezing her lungs.

She closed her eyes and smirked. She wasn’t dead, but living felt worse. ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ she wondered.

Suddenly, warmth enveloped her hand. Her eyelashes fluttered as a familiar grip held her palm. She turned her head, feeling numb.

Phoebe didn’t have the strength to look at Theodore. He sensed her resistance but didn’t care. As long as she was awake and safe, he was satisfied. “Phoebe, you’re awake,” Theodore said.

Her eyelashes trembled. She wanted to pull her hand away, but he held on tighter. She wanted to tell him she was like sand slipping through his fingers, but she couldn’t muster the strength. Theodore felt her resistance and held on tighter. “I’ve called an ambulance. We’re going back to Kedora for treatment. Don’t think you can escape. Even if you die, I’ll bring you back from hell.” He finally let go and left to arrange their return. Phoebe listened to his footsteps fade and took a few heavy breaths.

After a while, she forced herself to sit up. Pain flared under her ribs, and her vision darkened. She yanked out the IV needle, and blood spurted from the puncture site.

Ignoring it, she tried to get out of bed. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed. The door opened, and hurried footsteps approached. A strong arm caught her waist, preventing her fall.

Theodore’s heart pounded. He scooped her up gently and placed her back on the bed. “Phoebe, do you really want to die?” he whispered, his voice filled with hatred.

She closed her eyes and turned away. Her rejection hurt him. His eyes reddened as he spat out, “Fine, destroy yourself. But know this: your family will suffer because of you. Do you care about them?” Phoebe’s eyes filled with hatred. “Theodore, why don’t you just kill me?” she screamed.

“Killing’s illegal, honey,” Theodore said coldly, standing up. “Don’t pull that needle out again.”

He stormed out, and soon doctors and nurses rushed in, checking on Phoebe and reinserting the IV. She watched them silently, finding it all absurd.

Theodore had truly made her life a living hell.

After the medical staff left, the room fell silent. Phoebe vaguely heard voices outside but soon, it was as quiet as death.

She lay there, staring at the blinding white ceiling until her eyes ached. When the door opened, she quickly closed her eyes.

Theodore walked in with Ollie. He saw her tightly closed eyes and knew she was pretending to sleep.

He pulled a chair over and sat by the bed. “I got some porridge. Eat a little, then we’ll go back to Kedora.” Phoebe’s eyes snapped open, filled with hatred. “I’m not going back!”

Theodore frowned, gently stroking Ollie. “Phoebe, don’t be difficult. You need to rest.”

She turned her head away. Theodore had taken everything from her, leaving her confined. She might as well be dead. She couldn’t control her fate, but she could control her life.

Theodore watched her stubborn profile. After a while, a young nurse knocked and peeked in, holding the porridge. “Come in,” he said.

The nurse handed him the porridge, glanced at Phoebe, and quickly left.

Theodore placed Ollie at the foot of the bed, opened the porridge container, and scooped a spoonful. He blew on it to cool it down and brought it to her mouth. “Be good. Eat.” Phoebe knocked the bowl away, splattering porridge everywhere, dirtying the bed and Theodore’s coat.

Ollie, startled, watched warily, its fur standing on end.

Theodore remained calm, wiping the porridge off his coat with a tissue. “Not hungry yet? That’s okay. The porridge here isn’t great. I’ll cook for you when we get back to Kedora.” Phoebe glared at him with intense hatred. “Get out! I don’t want to see you!”

Ignoring her outburst, Theodore took her hand and gently wiped off the porridge, leaving a red mark. He blew on it softly, but Phoebe jerked her hand back, turning away. She found his hypocrisy laughable. When he hurt her, he never showed remorse. Now, he pretended to care.

Theodore saw her cold shoulder and felt a surge of irritation. He sensed they were drifting further apart, making him anxious.

He leaned over, placing his hands on either side of her. “Phoebe, what do you really want?”

Want to Full list click here, Forbidden Passion  on ITSCLEM