Phoebe ditched the infirmary and made a beeline for the rooftop. The wind was brutal, slicing through her like a knife, and she shivered like crazy.

Rocking her business suit, Phoebe was totally unprepared for the cold. After barely two minutes, she felt like a human popsicle and decided to head back down.

As soon as she stepped out of the emergency exit, she spotted Theodore coming out of the conference room, phone glued to his ear.

Passing by her, Theodore shot a quick. “Phoebe, I’m heading to the hospital. Cancel all my appointments for today. Only hit me up if it’s an emergency.”

Phoebe was floored. She watched him stride into the elevator, doors closing slowly, but he didn’t even glance her way, still deep in his call.

Carol, chilling behind the secretary’s desk, glanced at the almost frozen Phoebe and cleared her throat. “Ms. Ziegler, looks like we’ve got a new statue in the president’s office.”

Phoebe snapped out of it, knowing Carol was just messing with her. She said nothing and headed into the president’s office.

Carol watched Phoebe’s downcast figure and couldn’t help but click her tongue. ‘Vanessa sure knows how to play her cards, using her mom to keep Theodore close. I wonder if Phoebe can compete with Vanessa.’ For days, Theodore camped out at the hospital, not coming home and dumping all the company stuff on the vice president and Phoebe.

Phoebe was drowning in work every day, too scared to slack off, afraid her mind would wander. ‘Is Theodore staying at the hospital because Sophia’s really sick, or because he can’t leave Vanessa alone?’ Phoebe didn’t want to admit it, but she was crazy jealous.

When she got home, the empty living room felt like a mirror to her empty heart.

Theodore hadn’t been home for days. Did he even remember she was waiting for him?

The doorbell rang, and Phoebe jumped up. She stood too fast, and her vision went black for a sec. The doorbell kept ringing.

She stumbled to the door and opened it, seeing the Theodore she’d been longing for standing there. For a moment, she thought she was seeing things. Phoebe blinked. “You’re back.”

Theodore looked wrecked, with sunken eyes and bloodshot veins. His tall frame seemed ready to collapse. She quickly reached out to help him inside. Seeing him like this, Phoebe’s heart ached.

“How many days have you not slept? How’s Sophia?” Phoebe helped him to the living room sofa and handed him a glass of water.

“Not good,” Theodore replied, drinking half the glass. He placed the cup on the coffee table and said, “I’m beat. Gonna take a shower first.” Phoebe nodded. “Okay.”

She watched him head to the bedroom, feeling a sense of loss.

She stood by the sofa for a bit, then walked into the bedroom. Hearing the water running in the bathroom, she knocked on the door.

“Theodore, want something to eat?” she asked.

The water stopped, and his voice came from inside, damp with steam. “Yeah, just something simple.”

Phoebe nodded and turned to leave.

She brought out the food and saw Theodore holding his coat, looking like he was about to bounce again. She quickly put down the bowl and chased after him. Phoebe blurted out, “Where you headed?”

Theodore glanced at her, “Something’s up at the hospital. I gotta go. Phoebe, lock the door tonight.”

Seeing him about to leave with wet hair, Phoebe didn’t know where she found the guts. She suddenly jumped in front of him, arms spread wide to block his way. “You can’t go!” she insisted.

Theodore looked like hell, yet he still wanted to rush back to the hospital. Was the hospital unable to function without him?

He frowned. “Phoebe, what are you doing?”

Phoebe lifted her head, stubbornly meeting his gaze. “I don’t care. You need to stay home and sleep tonight. Over my dead body will you go to that hospital.”

Theodore sighed, “Phoebe, stop being unreasonable. Sophia is my mentor. If something happens to her, I won’t forgive myself.”

Phoebe saw the red veins in his eyes, feeling both heartache and anger. “You’ve been busting your ass at the hospital for days. You’ve done your part. Any more, and it’s too much.” “Phoebe.” Theodore frowned deeply. “What are you getting at?”

“Are you staying at the hospital all the time just because Sophia is your mentor.” Phoebe bit her lip. “Or because she’s Vanessa’s mom, and that’s why you’re so hands-on?”

Phoebe was never one to be unreasonable, but right now, she couldn’t hold back.

Theodore got what she meant, and it made him uncomfortable. “Phoebe, I always thought you were kind and generous.”

Phoebe shot back. “Well, you were wrong. I’m neither kind nor generous. I don’t know what kind of favor Sophia did for you that makes you stay by her side all the time, but I know Vanessa never has good intentions for you. Maybe they’re teaming up to mess with your head.”

“Phoebe!” Theodore shouted, “I won’t let you talk crap about Sophia like that. She’s dying. Can you stop being so unreasonable?”

Phoebe’s heartache turned into a bitter laugh under his accusation. She slowly lowered her arms and gave a self-mocking smile.

“Yeah, I’m unreasonable, unlike you, Mr. Reynolds, who’s so selfless.” She snorted.

The tension was thick.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

Theodore lost his patience. He grabbed Phoebe’s arm and pulled her aside. “Phoebe, we’ll talk when I get back.”

Her back hit the wall, the cold surface sending pain through her body, and her heart ached even more.

She watched Theodore’s indifferent back, feeling bitter. She spoke softly, “Theodore, are you rushing to the hospital because of Sophia or because of Vanessa?” Theodore paused but didn’t turn back. He opened the door and walked out.

The door closed, and the sound of his footsteps faded away until it was no longer audible.

Phoebe collapsed weakly to the ground. Ollie circled around her, occasionally licking her with his tongue.

She closed her eyes, her heart aching. She knew Theodore loved Vanessa deeply and would do anything for her. Why did she have to meddle?

Just because their relationship had gotten closer recently, she foolishly thought Theodore loved her. Did that give her the right to interfere with him?

Phoebe laughed at herself. ‘You’re ridiculous. You gave up all your pride for Theodore, loving him almost humbly. But in the end, all he gave you was hurt after hurt. Why can’t you learn your lesson?’

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