Phoebe figured her resilience came from Evelyn toughening her up.

Phoebe shot back, “Thanks. In my crappy, rainy world, I still have a loud mom like you.”

Evelyn was stunned and poked Phoebe’s forehead hard. “I raised an ungrateful brat like you, huh?”

Phoebe just closed her eyes, playing dumb.

Evelyn fumed. “I must’ve owed you in a past life. Do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore.”

Phoebe stayed silent.

Evelyn felt awkward and sat by the bed, remembering Phoebe’s ramblings when she was unconscious. She got even angrier.

“It’s been over three years. When will you let it go?” Evelyn asked. “Phoebe, have I ever used your marriage for my gain? Why do you hate me so much?” Phoebe’s eyelashes trembled.

“Forget it. What’s the point now? If you want to resent me, I can’t stop you. If you want to divorce Theodore, I can’t stop you either. Do what makes you happy,” Evelyn said, looking indifferent. Evelyn was exhausted and didn’t want to care anymore.

Phoebe bit her lip and stayed quiet.

Evelyn sat for a while longer. Seeing Phoebe still wouldn’t talk, she felt a strange sadness. “Go to sleep. I won’t bother you.”

Evelyn got up and left the room.

The door closed, and the room went silent. Phoebe opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

Living like this, she couldn’t blame anyone. She couldn’t reconcile with herself or others.

Phoebe could only keep being difficult, making everyone, including herself, uncomfortable.

Downstairs, Vanessa heard Phoebe had woken up. She stayed calm, didn’t throw a fit, and even asked Ruby to buy a fruit basket and flowers, saying she wanted to visit Phoebe. Ruby didn’t know what Vanessa was planning, but seeing her expression, she knew it wasn’t good. She couldn’t persuade her, so she went to buy the fruit basket and flowers.

Ruby pushed Vanessa upstairs, but a nurse stopped them. “Sorry, Miss Fitzroy. Mr. Reynolds said Ms. Ziegler needs rest and can’t have visitors.”

Vanessa squinted. She didn’t expect Theodore to protect Phoebe so well. “Then, please take the fruit basket and flowers inside and tell her I came to visit.”

The nurse was about to take the flowers when a nearby door opened. Phoebe, in a hospital gown, stood there.

The loose gown made her look even more gaunt. The nurse quickly said, “Ms. Ziegler, why are you out of bed?”

Phoebe glanced at Vanessa in the wheelchair, her gaze cold. “Let her in.”

Phoebe went back into the room without another look at Vanessa.

The nurse hesitated but let them in since Phoebe requested it.

Vanessa didn’t expect Phoebe to have changed so much. Phoebe looked more haggard, exuding defeat and desolation.

Vanessa stared at Phoebe’s back. Even though Phoebe looked gaunt, she still had an unapproachable elegance.

Despite being pushed into the mud, Phoebe’s proud spirit made others want to break her.

Vanessa signaled Ruby with her eyes. Ruby placed the fruit basket and flowers by the bed, glanced at Phoebe, and then left the room, standing guard outside.

Phoebe stood by the window. Outside, it was icy and snowy, but the room was warm. She said indifferently, “Miss Fitzroy, satisfied with what you see?”

Vanessa wanted more. She replied coldly, “Ms. Ziegler, I heard you resigned. What a pity.”

Vanessa’s precise attack on Phoebe in the hospital lobby that day was because she didn’t know whether Phoebe valued love or career more.

Phoebe looked at Vanessa’s twisted, beautiful face reflected in the glass and thought how ugly a face consumed by desire could be.

Phoebe looked at herself again and thought she was ugly, too.

Vanessa’s words didn’t faze Phoebe. Vanessa got furious and questioned, “Phoebe, why didn’t you stay away? Why did you come back? You still can’t let him go, can you? Although he only has me in his heart, you still have fantasies about him. How pathetic are you?”

Phoebe’s eyes flickered. ‘Yes, how pathetic am I?’ she thought.

Vanessa maneuvered her wheelchair closer, whispering like a devil. “If I were you, I would jump out of this window.”

Phoebe was stunned for a moment. Then, she suddenly opened the window, and cold air rushed in immediately.

They were wearing thin hospital gowns. The cold wind seeped into their pores, and goosebumps quickly covered their bodies. Phoebe turned to look at Vanessa.

At that moment, Vanessa felt as if a demon was staring at her. She couldn’t help but shiver, uncertain if it was from the cold or fear.

Phoebe gave her a strange smile. “Yes, jumping out of here would end it all.”

Vanessa suddenly sensed danger. The hair on her back stood on end. She was about to turn her wheelchair around when Phoebe blocked her path. Vanessa looked up at Phoebe and questioned, “What are you doing?”

Phoebe suddenly grabbed Vanessa by the collar and yanked her out of the wheelchair. Like dragging a dead dog, she pulled Vanessa towards the window. “Doesn’t he love you? If he sees us jump out of here together, he will live in pain for the rest of his life, won’t he?”

Phoebe’s expression was serious. Although there was no sign of madness on her face, her words sounded insane.

Vanessa’s pupils trembled violently. She was dragged to the wall by Phoebe and started struggling frantically, almost going insane with fear. She shouted, “Phoebe, you’re crazy! Let me go!”

Phoebe looked down at Vanessa, her grip incredibly strong. She actually managed to lift Vanessa and press her against the open window. She said calmly, “Vanessa, I hate your face. Do you think if you fall from here, your face will be smashed to pieces?”

Vanessa shivered, with half of her body hanging out of the window. She clung tightly to the window frame with one hand and the wall with the other, looking at the distant ground below, scared out of her wits. Vanessa shouted, “Don’t do it!”

Phoebe tugged at her lips and asked, “What are you afraid of? Don’t worry. After you die, I’ll pay for it with my life. You won’t be lonely in hell; I’ll keep you company.”

‘She is crazy!’ Vanessa was terrified. She knew Phoebe was serious. Phoebe really wanted to kill her!

Want to Full list click here, Forbidden Passion  on ITSCLEM