Forbidden Passion

Phoebe returned home to a lively living room where the adults were gathered around the table peeling oranges. Hubert, Boris, Noomi, and Ethan were jumping around nearby. Phoebe changed her shoes, placed the snacks on the cabinet, and said, "Looks like it's orange season already, huh?"

"Yes, these were sent by the property management. They said they were picked from some eco-park not far from here. Tomorrow is the weekend, right? I was just telling Ruby that we should take the kids to pick some oranges," Evelyn replied with a smile.

Phoebe took out her phone to check the weather. "It's going to be cloudy tomorrow, and the temperature is quite suitable. Let's do it then. I'll have Guadalupe bring the business car over tomorrow."

Phoebe sent messages to Lori and Guadalupe to arrange the next day's activities. A hoarse voice interrupted her, "I won't be going."

Phoebe looked up to see that it was Ruby speaking. She frowned, "Why is your voice so hoarse? Do you have a cold?"

Ruby avoided Phoebe's gaze, lowered her head, and coughed lightly. "Yeah, my throat felt a bit uncomfortable this morning. I didn't think much of it, but it got worse in the afternoon."

Phoebe noticed Ruby wearing long sleeves and a scarf around her neck, looking quite unwell. "Did you get any medicine?"

"Yes, I took some when I got back this afternoon," Ruby quickly replied.

Phoebe nodded, "Make sure you don't pass it to Ethan. Let Ethan sleep with my mom tonight so you can get some rest."

Ruby's eyes welled up as she stared at the orange in her hand, her eyes slightly red. "No need, Evelyn is already tired from taking care of the kids during the day. It's fine, Ethan is very healthy and not easily infected." "Then let Ethan sleep with me. My bedroom bed is big enough for one more."

Ruby shook her head, "Phoebe, really, it's not necessary. I'll wear a mask at night and won't pass it to Ethan. You work hard during the day too."

Phoebe sighed helplessly, "Ruby, I'll only help you take care of Ethan once you're better. This is the arrangement for tonight."

Ruby's eyes reddened further. She choked up and, fearing Phoebe would notice her emotions, wiped her eyes and said, "I'm going to the bathroom."

Phoebe looked up, watching Ruby's figure disappear. She frowned and asked Evelyn, "Mom, do you think Ruby's acting a bit off?"

Evelyn put the peeled oranges into the juicer and looked at Phoebe suspiciously. "Really? Maybe she's just feeling under the weather. Let's try to be more supportive."

"Alright." Phoebe accepted this explanation.

A box of oranges only yielded a limited amount of juice. With so many people in the house, each person could only get one cup. Hubert, Boris, Noomi, and Ethan were all curiously gathered around the juicer, fascinated by it. Phoebe filled baby bottles with orange juice and handed one to each of them. "After drinking the orange juice, you all need to wear diapers tonight."

"Why do we have to wear diapers?" Noomi asked, biting the bottle's nipple.

"Because I don't want you wetting the bed and washing me away," Phoebe gently tapped her nose. Noomi immediately giggled, "I won't wet the bed. That's something Hubert would do."

Hubert, busy drinking his orange juice, looked up with a cool expression.

Evelyn laughed. "Phoebe, did you ask Cindy if she's coming?"

"Cindy joined a film crew a few days ago. She won't be free until this show is done," Phoebe said. Cindy had messaged her that morning, calling Patrick a jerk. Phoebe replied to Cindy, asking why Patrick was a jerk, but Cindy hadn't responded yet, likely busy arguing with Patrick.

The Vanderbilt Mansion.

Brian came home late at night, carrying his suit jacket. Besides the overwhelming smell of alcohol, he also reeked of women's perfume. Brian walked into the living room and was startled to see someone sitting on the sofa. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Edward.

Brian clutched his chest, "What are you doing sitting here in the middle of the night? You scared the hell out of me."

Edward held a glass of whiskey, its amber liquid shimmering under the warm light. He watched Brian sit on the sofa and frowned. "Brian, you come home this late every day. Have you thought about how Bianca feels?"noveldrama

Brian poured himself a drink and glanced upstairs. "Bianca doesn't care whose bed I'm in."

Edward couldn't understand Brian. He had a beautiful wife and a lovely child, yet he couldn't stay home.

If Phoebe were willing to marry Edward, he would come home early every day to be with her. How could he bear to leave her alone?

Some people didn't appreciate what they had until it was gone, while others longed for what they couldn't have.

"You weren't like this when you first got married. Brian, let me give you some advice. For Benjamin's sake, you should restrain yourself," Edward said.

Brian took a sip of his drink, the cold liquid sliding down his throat. He looked at Edward, clearly unhappy. "Mind your own business."

Edward said, "I'm just worried you'll regret it later."

"We'll see about that. By the way, what's going on with you and Phoebe? It's been three years, and you still haven't started dating her. Are you even trying?" Brian got angry at the mention of this. Edward was handsome and wealthy, yet he couldn't win over the woman he liked.

Edward retorted, "Mind your own business."

"Do you know who invited me to dinner tonight? Phoebe and Theodore. It looks like they're getting back together. What have you been doing these past few years?" Brian complained. Edward's expression turned serious, and he tightened his grip on his glass. "What did you say?"

"But I sabotaged Theodore and warned Phoebe," Brian proudly recounted his meddling to Edward. "How about that? I helped you out. Now it's your turn to put in some effort." Edward's lips tightened. He downed his drink, feeling a mix of frustration and anger.

"Brian, I want to give Phoebe a grand proposal."

Brian squinted at him, "Alright, I'm great at romantic stuff. Set a date for the proposal, and I'll handle the rest. I'll make sure it's perfect."

"Thanks, Brian," Edward said sincerely.

Edward narrowed his eyes. This time, he wanted the whole city to know about his proposal to Phoebe. With so many people present, Phoebe would surely accept.

Phoebe was unaware of all this. She had a good night's sleep. The next morning, she got up early, dressed Hubert, Boris, Noomi, and Ethan, and took them to the eco-park to pick oranges.