Chapter 26
Phoebe shuddered and turned to look at the door of the hospital room, only to see Theodore standing there, his face particularly grim.
She quickly pushed Edward away, looking at Theodore in a panic.
A flicker of pain crossed Edward's gaze. No matter his efforts, he realized he couldn't reclaim Phoebe's affection. Only that scoundrel Theodore held a place in her heart.
The pain in his heart was overwhelming, but seeing Theodore step in, Edward instinctively stood in front of Phoebe, watching Theodore warily and defensively. "What do you want?"
Theodore's thin lips parted slightly, and he said coldly, "Move aside!"
He was a bit taller than Edward, and Edward looked up Theodore.
"I'm warning you, Theodore, I won't allow you to harm Phoebe," Edward gritted out, unwavering in the face of Theodore's imposing presence.
For the past three years, Edward had been filled with regret. If he hadn't been blinded by jealousy and resentment after that incident, if he had stood by Phoebe's side when she was most vulnerable and in need of comfort, she wouldn't have married Theodore.
Upon seeing Edward's determined look, a contemptuous smile appeared on Theodore's lips. "Mr. Vanderbilt, don't overestimate yourself. Phoebe was yours before, and you couldn't handle it. Now she's my wife, so what hero act are you pulling? Our marriage ain't your concern!"
Theodore's tone was full of mockery. Edward's face turned red with anger. He grabbed Theodore by the collar and roared, "You jerk, who gave you the swagger? If Phoebe wasn't carrying your kid, she'd never have tied the knot with you."
Theodore's deep eyes narrowed.
Phoebe was shocked, thinking this was bad.
Having been by Theodore's side for three years, she understood his every expression. At this moment, Theodore was in an extremely foul mood. If Edward provoked him further, they might end up fighting again.
"Edward, you should leave," Phoebe said anxiously to Edward.
"Phoebe," Edward was stunned, a look of despair in his eyes.
Phoebe pressed her lips together, interrupting him, "Thank you for visiting me today, but you don't need to worry about me anymore. You'll find someone else to love in the future."
Edward's face turned pale, immediately understanding Phoebe's meaning. His heart was a mix of emotions, his body trembling as he stubbornly said, "I won't."
With that, Edward, afraid Phoebe might say something irrevocable, stormed out like a child in a huff.
Theodore observed Phoebe's sorrowful look and couldn't resist sneering, "Still holding on? Why not go after him?"
Phoebe was infuriated at the sight of him. She coldly asked, "What are you doing here?"
Standing by the bedside, Theodore lowered his gaze to look at her. Her indifferent attitude toward him made him grit his teeth in anger. The rage burning inside him showed no signs of fading.
He mocked, "If I didn't come, how could I witness such a wonderful scene?"
Phoebe's heart trembled, not daring to look at Theodore's reddened eyes.
The next second, Phoebe clearly felt the air around her freeze. She instinctively wanted to lift her head, but before she could move, Theodore grabbed her chin, roughly lifting her head. His scorching breath sprayed on her face, and he was filled with intense anger. "Afraid to look at me? Guilty because it's clear you're not over Edward!"
This completely provoked Phoebe. She couldn't help but shout, "Theodore, don't push me too far!"
"So what if I do?" Theodore roared, pushing her onto the bed. He viciously tore off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.
"A few days apart and you're already feeling lost, boldly flirting with another guy in my presence!"
Theodore's eyes blazed with anger, sending a shiver down Phoebe's spine. Fear gripped her, prompting an instinctive urge to flee.
Phoebe had just crawled to the other side of the bed when Theodore grabbed her arm and threw her back onto the bed.
"It hurts." Phoebe's head hit the corner of the bed, causing her vision to blur with pain.
Theodore panicked for a moment, his movements freezing. He instinctively leaned over to check where she had hit herself.
Phoebe thought he was going to continue. In her shame and anger, she raised her hand and slapped him.
A crisp slap echoed.
Theodore froze.
Phoebe stood there in shock, her arm trembling. She had actually slapped Theodore.
Even Evelyn, who had just returned from handling the discharge paperwork, froze at the door.
Intensely fixated on Phoebe, Theodore's gaze felt like daggers piercing through her.
"You dare hit me?" Theodore's handsome face darkened. He seized Phoebe's wrists, holding them firmly above her, his intense stare almost predatory.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to rush in to intervene, she saw Theodore, in his rage, tear Phoebe's clothes apart.
She hesitated. The sudden awkwardness made Evelyn unsure of what to do.
Phoebe hadn't expected Theodore to humiliate her like this. She struggled fiercely in her shame and anger. "Theodore, you bastard, let me go!"
Theodore pressed down on her, finding her shouting annoying. He stuffed the torn-off tie into her mouth.
Tears streamed down Phoebe's face as she suddenly spotted Evelyn at the doorway, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, casting a pleading glance towards her.
She didn't want this!
Phoebe had reached a breaking point and was no longer willing to sacrifice her dignity and body.
Theodore had Vanessa, and he thought she was still involved with Edward. So why did he still want to humiliate her?
Phoebe looked at Evelyn with pleading eyes, hoping she would speak up. If Evelyn said something, Theodore, no matter how shameless, wouldn't do such a beastly thing in front of her.
But Evelyn hesitated.
She felt sorry for Phoebe but also wanted Phoebe and Theodore to reconcile quickly.
Evelyn could sense the growing distance between Phoebe and Theodore, and with Vanessa's return, their marriage was on the brink.
If Phoebe could get pregnant with the Theodore's child, she could secure her position as Mrs. Reynolds.
Thinking of this, Evelyn gritted her teeth, ignored Phoebe's pleading and pained eyes, and quietly left, even thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Phoebe's eyes widened as she watched the door slowly close in front of her.
Tears rolled down her face in large drops.
So, in Evelyn's eyes, her feelings never mattered. As long as she could bring some benefit to Evelyn, even if Evelyn saw Theodore humiliating her, she could turn a blind eye.
Theodore roughly kneaded Phoebe's chest, completely disregarding her feelings.
Phoebe bit her lip, not making a sound. There was no pleasure in this sex, only numb pain.
After it was over, Theodore got off the bed, bent down to pick up his shirt, and put it on.
As his desire faded, his rationality slowly returned. Theodore glanced at Phoebe lying motionless on the bed, a flicker of guilt coursing through his heart.
"Put your clothes on. I'll take you home."
Phoebe closed her eyes, her eyes burning but unable to shed a tear. Her voice was hoarse as she asked, "Why?"
Theodore paused while buttoning his shirt. "What?"
"Why do you still want to have sex with me?" Phoebe, finding some strength from somewhere, angrily sat up on the bed. Ignoring her naked body, she demanded, "If I'm so filthy in your eyes, shouldn't you find me disgusting? Why did you still sleep with me?"
Theodore was taken aback, a hint of embarrassment crossing his stern face.
"You're my wife. Isn't it supposed to be like this?" Theodore's tone was harsh, his attitude arrogant.
Phoebe was so angry. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
"Get out!"
