Chapter 5
Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared as torrential rain poured down.
Phoebe curled up on the hospital bed, her stomach cramping, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Theodore must have already found out the truth by now.
What would Theodore do? Would he ask for a divorce?
The word "divorce" slipped through her mind, and Phoebe suddenly laughed.
Actually, a divorce might be for the best. They wouldn't have to torment each other anymore. This marriage was a mistake from the start, so divorce was the way to go.
For both of them, it might be a kind of relief.
The ward door was suddenly kicked open violently, and Phoebe's heart sank as she saw Theodore stride in.
In that instant, his expression darkened, his eyes turned icy cold, resembling a hellish Grim Reaper, seemingly ready to take her life.
Phoebe was so scared that she almost fell out of bed in a scramble, but having just undergone an examination and not having eaten anything, her body was extremely weak and she got tangled in the blanket instead.
Phoebe was stunned from the fall, and even Theodore was momentarily frozen.
He stood there stiffly, and Phoebe looked at him as if he were a demon, terrified and trying to flee.
Phoebe struggled desperately within the blanket, her face flushed with panic, and it was only then that Theodore realized, belatedly, that Phoebe had become so afraid of him.
Theodore's heart ached as he took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions before lifting her back onto the bed. But the terrified Phoebe thought Theodore was so angry that he wanted to hit her. She instinctively covered her head with her hands, trembling in the dim light. "Don't hit me!"
Theodore's movements froze, and he almost laughed in exasperation.
When had he become a woman-beating villain in Phoebe's eyes?
Theodore pressed his lips together, showing a rare hint of gentleness. He lifted Phoebe, blanket and all, from the floor and gently placed her back on the bed. He then took a chair from the side and sat down next to the bed.
Phoebe lay in the blanket, stunned. After a while, realizing there was no beating or yelling, she cautiously pulled the blanket aside a bit and peeked out.
Phoebe's eyes met Theodore's cold, dark gaze. She shrank back into the blanket, lowering her head, not daring to look at him again.
Theodore chuckled. He had always thought Phoebe was shy because she liked him. But now it seemed she was simply afraid of him.
An intense ache radiated from his heart, coursing through every fiber of his being, causing even his fingers to quiver. Theodore reached for his cigarette pack, extracting a lighter. Observing Phoebe's tense, fearful demeanor, he decided against lighting up and returned the cigarette to its place.
Theodore asked, "Why didn't you ever tell me? Why?"
Phoebe clutched the blanket tightly in fear.
Theodore indeed knew everything now.
What would he do to her? Punish her?
Phoebe knew this day would come. She had mentally prepared herself for it two and a half years ago. But when Theodore actually asked the question, her heart sank.
She was silent for a long time before she managed to sit up in bed and slowly speak, "I wanted to tell you when I returned from the follow-up, but you never gave me the chance. ."
That day was pouring rain like today.
When she returned to the villa, the maid told her Theodore was in the nursery upstairs. She trudged wearily to locate him, discovering Theodore in the nursery, releasing his emotions in frenzy. The cradle and rocking horse lay shattered, the room a mess.
Theodore sat against the wall in the midst of the chaos, resembling a lion without its cub, a mix of sorrow and rage etched on his face.
Phoebe knew that Theodore had genuinely looked forward to the arrival of this child. Even if he didn't love her, he truly loved the baby and anticipated its birth.
Otherwise, Theodore wouldn't have married her just to give the baby a complete family.
Phoebe stood at the door for a long time before mustering the courage to walk in. She squatted down in front of Theodore, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"I had a check-up at the hospital today. The news isn't good. We got hitched 'cause I was expecting, but now we've lost the baby. If you want a divorce..."
Something in Phoebe's words seemed to trigger Theodore. He suddenly erupted in anger, pushing her to the ground. His strong body pressed down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.
Theodore questioned, "Divorce? Phoebe, what do you take me for, an idiot? Huh?"
"I'm not." Phoebe was stunned by him. To her, Theodore was like an untouchable deity. She held him in reverence and awe, never considering causing him harm. This marriage was doomed from the start.
Theodore stared at her, the hatred in his eyes so deep it seemed like he wanted to tear her apart.
His breaths were labored, emanating heat and a sense of dread. He suddenly lowered his head and kissed hard on her neck.
Theodore began tearing at Phoebe's clothes. Right there in the nursery, he forcefully used sex to cover the pain of losing their child, completely disregarding her weakened state.
Theodore shot at him. "Phoebe, I wish I could kill you right now!"
The same words seemed to travel through time, pulling Phoebe back to reality from her memories. She couldn't help but shiver as she heard Theodore continue, "You've made my life a joke these past few years."
Tears rolled down Phoebe's face. "I'm sorry, Theodore. I didn't protect the baby."
After gazing at her briefly, Theodore burst into laughter, though his chuckles carried a weight of sorrow. "How grand of me, expecting an apology from someone who's suffered."
Phoebe's heart felt like it was being torn apart, and her tears flowed more fiercely. "I'm sorry. It was my fault back then. I ruined your life. If you want..."
"Shut up!" Theodore knew what she was about to say and interrupted her harshly. "Unless I bring it up myself, you never have the right to mention it."
Phoebe looked up in shock.
Theodore's expression was angry and embarrassed. He threatened her, "Keep this between us. If you spill to anyone else, you're in trouble! "
Phoebe felt a mix of emotions. Theodore knew the truth but didn't want a divorce. She couldn't understand what he was thinking.
"Why?" Phoebe asked in a desperate tone.
Theodore looked into her eyes and suddenly remembered when he returned to take over the Reynolds Group. Back then, he was ruthless, and everyone feared him.
Wherever he went, there was silence. No one dared to interact with him outside of work.
Except for Phoebe. She stood out like a beacon of hope, her face radiating a constant, pure smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
But when did it all change? When did her smile vanish, and the spark in her eyes dim? When did fear of him begin to take hold in her heart?
He leaned in, gripping Phoebe's chin hard. "Phoebe, I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life, atoning for your sins."
This was the sin Phoebe had to atone for, to him and to their unborn child.
