Chapter 20
Phoebe looked desolate as she collapsed onto the sofa, her face filled with sorrow as she gazed at Madison. "Do you really want me to divorce Theodore that badly?"
"Of course, Theodore is so outstanding, and Vanessa is a pianist. They used to have such a great relationship." When Madison mentioned Vanessa, her eyes were full of envy and admiration, completely different from how she looked at Phoebe.
Phoebe forced a bitter smile. "Madison, if I divorce him, you can't be with the guy you like."
Madison's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed red, feeling exposed. "What? I don't get it. I'm not talking to you."
With that, Madison hurriedly ran out.
Phoebe felt a tightness in her chest.
Vanessa chased after Theodore down the stairs. "Theodore, should I not have found you just now? It seemed like Ms. Ziegler had something to say to you."
Theodore's expression was cold and stern, still seemingly angry about Phoebe's behavior. "What could she possibly have to say to me?"
Vanessa was taken aback by his response, her steps instinctively slowing down until she stopped on the stairs, watching his figure disappear around the corner.
She had never seen Theodore so irritable and angry before.
If she hadn't shown up just now, what would Phoebe have said to Theodore? What was Theodore hoping Phoebe would say? But at this point, what could Phoebe possibly have to say to Theodore?
From the atmosphere in the room earlier, it was clear that Phoebe had feelings for Theodore.
And Theodore?
They had been together for three years, spending every day together. It was impossible for him to have no feelings for Phoebe at all.
Vanessa clenched her fists tightly, her exquisite face slightly twisted.
She had to come up with a way to force them to divorce as soon as possible.
Phoebe stood on the balcony, the summer wind blowing through her long hair.
Downstairs was the pool, and the servants were setting up for the evening's party. Phoebe could imagine how beautiful the scene would be with all the lights, but it seemed to have nothing to do with her.
Just as Phoebe was lost in her melancholy, a cold voice suddenly came from behind her. "Ms. Ziegler, you were hard to find."
Phoebe turned her head slightly and saw Vanessa walking toward her gracefully. She frowned.
For some reason, she felt that Vanessa had come to stir up trouble.
"What do you want with me?" Phoebe asked calmly.
Vanessa got straight to the point. "Let's talk about Theodore."
"Okay." Phoebe agreed directly.
Vanessa rested her hands on the railing, hatching a bold scheme.
She spoke calmly, "Theodore and I grew up together, just like you and Edward. Our special bond helps us understand and like each other more. ."
Phoebe's hand, hanging by her side, clenched into a fist involuntarily. She had to admit that Vanessa was smart and had hit the nail on the head.
"Back then, I was impulsive and insisted on breaking up with him to go to Nyxonia to study piano. He was very hurt at the time, so that night, when he was drunk, he mistook you for me."
Phoebe's heart tightened.
Phoebe's red lips pressed tightly together. "What exactly do you want to say?"
"Ms. Ziegler, I didn't mean to say you were a substitute for me. I was just lamenting how fate plays tricks on us. You and Edward were a great match back then, and yet you ended up marrying Theodore."
Vanessa's words were like sharp blades, each one piercing Phoebe's heart. Her breathing became rapid, and her face turned pale.
Vanessa seemed oblivious to Phoebe's pallor and continued, "Because of that mistake, all four of us are living in pain. Phoebe, do you regret not fighting him with all your might back then?"
Phoebe's lips trembled violently. "I did fight back."
"Then you must not have tried hard enough," Vanessa's gaze was as sharp as an arrow. "Or maybe when you heard him call you Mia, you just gave up struggling."
Phoebe's face turned ashen. "That's not true."
At that time, Theodore was pressing down on her, and she couldn't move him at all.
"It is true! Phoebe, when did you start liking Theodore? Three years ago, or even earlier? Maybe when you were with Edward, you were already coveting him, weren't you?" Vanessa's tone suddenly became exceptionally sharp, a barrage of questions forcing Phoebe to take a few steps back.
"No!" Phoebe's face was full of panic as she desperately denied Vanessa's accusations.
Vanessa sneered, "If that's not the case, then why were you planning to tell him your feelings just now?"
Phoebe was at a loss for words.
Vanessa laughed softly, "It's okay, Phoebe. Spending three years with a man as outstanding as Theodore, any woman would fall for him."
Phoebe thought Vanessa was crazy and turned to leave.
Behind her, Vanessa's voice came through gritted teeth. "Phoebe, what if I jump from here and tell Theodore that you pushed me? Do you think he'd believe it?"
Phoebe was startled and quickly turned around to see Vanessa sitting on the railing, her legs dangling outside, holding onto the railing with her hands in a very precarious position, as if she could fall at any moment.
Phoebe's heart raced with fear, and she hurried back. "Vanessa, you're crazy. Don't joke with your life."
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her. "If I don't do that, will you come over?"
Phoebe felt a bone-chilling fear. She wanted to shake off Vanessa's hand but was afraid she would fall. Phoebe had no choice but to hold onto her tightly.
"What exactly do you want?" Phoebe gritted her teeth and asked in a low voice.
Vanessa glanced back at the swimming pool below. "If we both jump in and Theodore saves me first instead of you, Phoebe, you should divorce him."
"Why should I play such a ridiculous game with you?" Phoebe's eyes were filled with panic. She realized Vanessa was completely unreasonable, practically a lunatic.
"Because you have no choice!" Vanessa said, and then she suddenly pulled Phoebe over the railing. The weight of Vanessa's pull dragged Phoebe over, and they both fell from the second floor, crashing into the pool.
Phoebe vaguely heard someone screaming, but the sounds were muffled and unclear underwater.
She struggled desperately in the water.
Phoebe's most fatal weakness was that she couldn't swim.
She bobbed up and down in the pool, the suffocating fear gradually enveloping her.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar tall figure dive into the water.
Was it Theodore?
Would Theodore save her or Vanessa?
