Chapter 11
Upon hearing Vanessa's name, Theodore felt a surge of irritation. He instinctively pulled out a pack of cigarettes, intending to light another one.
But Taylor unceremoniously took it away, raising her eyebrows and scolding, "Every time something happens, you just smoke."
Theodore pressed his lips, his eyes fixed on her.
Taylor was startled by Theodore's gaze, but remembering that the man in front of her was her son, she slapped him on the shoulder. "Why are you glaring at me? I'm your mother."
Theodore was speechless.
Taylor started to nag, "Vanessa is a good girl, except for a bit of a temper. Your dad and I both like her. If you two had gotten married back then, I wouldn't be worried now. It's just a pity you two aren't together."
The Fitzroy family had quite a few famous people. Although their wealth didn't compare to the Reynolds family, they were well-known, and now Vanessa had become a renowned pianist.
Theodore remained silent.
Taylor saw his stern face and couldn't help but sigh, "Love is complex and ever-changing. Being married to Phoebe now, you ought to treat her well. Constant arguing isn't good for keeping a healthy relationship; even the strongest bond can't endure that."
Theodore's expression shifted slightly, wondering if there was any love between them.
Upon seeing Theodore not speaking, Taylor couldn't help but continue, "You used to be so gentlemanly and polite to Vanessa, but with Phoebe, it seems like you've completely changed. Phoebe has it tough too. Treat her better, or people will gossip about our family looking down on her. ."
The more Theodore listened, the more annoyed he became. "How am I not good to her?"
Back when Phoebe was pregnant and craved handmade chocolates in the middle of the night, he fought off sleepiness, drove forty miles to wake up the shop owner to make handmade chocolates.
Once they were ready, he sped back to the villa and personally unwrapped them to feed her.
Upon seeing Phoebe's satisfied face, he didn't utter a single complaint.
Other than not loving Phoebe, how had he not been good to her? How had he wronged her in any way?
On the contrary, it was Phoebe who did that kind of thing. Should he still be the one to coax her?
Taylor was taken aback. Thinking carefully, Theodore indeed treated Phoebe well; their relationship had always been good.
Taylor said, "Despite your display of love, I sense a lack of true affection between you. . Theodore, as your mother, how could I not see if you're happy? But this marriage was your choice. None of us could stop you back then. Is this the kind of marriage you wanted?"
Theodore fell silent at her words, and he was in daze for a moment.
Taylor sighed, seeing him standing there silently. She couldn't bear to continue scolding him and gently patted his shoulder. "Alright, you understand what I'm saying. Theodore, you have your thoughts and family. I can only advise you. Get some rest."
Taylor left, taking the last pack of cigarettes with her. Theodore stood alone on the balcony, his silhouette lonely and desolate.
He reached into his pocket, not finding any cigarettes, and remembered that Taylor had confiscated them.
Nothing was going right.
When Phoebe returned to the room, her body was ice-cold. She stood at the door for a while before quietly walking to the bed.
On the other side of the bed, Theodore had already drifted off to sleep. She gently lifted the blanket and lay down along the edge.
The bed was large enough that if they didn't intentionally move closer, there was room for three or four more people between them. However, not long after she lay down, Theodore got up and quickly left the room.
Phoebe lay still, listening to the footsteps, which seemed to head to the study.
Phoebe gave a bitter smile. It seemed Theodore really despised her, preferring to spend the night in the study rather than share a bed with her.
The next morning, Phoebe woke up early. She instinctively glanced to the side; it was clear he hadn't returned last night. She sighed softly and got up to go to the bathroom.
After washing up, she passed through the small living room outside the bedroom and saw Theodore lying on the sofa, fast asleep.
His hand was resting on his forehead, and he had changed his clothes—wearing a shirt and black suit pants.
Phoebe's gaze lingered on him. She tiptoed, trying to leave quietly, but even though she was careful, the moment she got close to Theodore, he woke up immediately.
He was such a vigilant person.
Theodore's eyes seemed to clear the moment he saw her. He immediately sat up from the sofa.
Early in the morning, Theodore was feeling particularly energized, a visible bulge in his pants betraying his arousal. Catching Phoebe's eye, he shot her a suggestive grin.
"What's the matter? Ready to assist me with my morning workout?"
Phoebe's face turned beet red. She didn't want to argue with him about this and quickly fled the room.
She ran so fast that she almost bumped into someone.
The person reached out to steady her, his eyes somewhat resembling Theodore's. "Phoebe, why are you in such a hurry? Is someone chasing you?"
Phoebe quickly stepped back two paces. "Sorry, are you Okay?"
"I'm pretty sturdy; you can't hurt me. What about you?" Christopher Reynolds teased, Theodore's younger brother.
He was a playboy, attracted to women of all ages, from eighteen to eighty. Phoebe was long used to it.
Just as she was about to speak, a cold snort came from behind Christopher. "Just a nanny's daughter, and you still can't help but flirt with her, Christopher? If Theodore finds out, you are dead."
Phoebe looked up to see Madison Reynolds walking toward them with her head held high.
She was Theodore's sister, the little princess of the Reynolds family. Spoiled from a young age, she looked down on everyone. From the first time they met, Madison had taken an instant dislike to Phoebe.
Christopher glared at Madison in displeasure. "Madison! I'm your brother. Can you learn to speak politely?"
"Christopher, I thought you didn't know your status. Phoebe, you are Theodore's wife along while seducing Christopher. You're such a slut."
Madison showed no fear of Christopher's scolding. She crossed her arms and looked at Phoebe with disdain.
Madison's words even angered the usually gentle Christopher. He grabbed Madison and scolded her, "Madison, don't talk nonsense."
"Whether I'm spouting nonsense, she knows best." Madison stepped forward, shaking off Christopher's hand and glaring at Phoebe. "Phoebe, I know how you let Theodore sleep with you back then and used the child to force him to marry you. You better behave, or I'll make sure you get kicked out of the Reynolds family."
"Madison!" Christopher growled, "Have you no manners at all?""
"Don't lecture me. A shameless woman like her doesn't deserve my respect!" Madison arrogantly pointed at Phoebe, as if she wanted to slap her right then and there.
"She's my wife. If she doesn't deserve it, who does?" A cold voice came from a distance.
The three of them turned to look.
