Forbidden Passion

On the way, Phoebe kept trying to get Ethan back, but Theodore was tall and long- legged, and she couldn't outmatch him.

As they walked out of the amusement park, Phoebe still didn't have a chance to get Ethan back. They stood by the roadside, waiting for Jack to bring the car around.

The sky was overcast, and the wind was picking up, blowing sand and debris everywhere. Phoebe's hair was whipped into a frenzy by the strong wind.

She frowned and said, "Is it a sandstorm?"

Theodore looked into the distance. The entire sky was dark and gray, resembling a storm brewing on the horizon.

His face changed suddenly, "It's a sandstorm."

Phoebe was startled. Ignoring Theodore beside her, she took out her phone and walked a bit further to call Evelyn.

The call connected quickly, and Evelyn's voice came through, "Phoebe, when are you coming back? I heard there's a sandstorm. We're just leaving the orange grove with the

kids."

Phoebe glanced at Theodore not far away and lowered her voice, "Mom, have Keith and Louis take you to the villa area for the night. It's not safe to drive back to the city now with the sandstorm coming."

"What about you?"

"I can't leave. Ethan is with Theodore. You go to the villa area first. I'll book a room right away." Phoebe hung up and called the eco-park to book a room.

Fortunately, she called just in time. There was one last villa available, though it was more expensive than before. Phoebe didn't hesitate and booked the room immediately.

Then she sent Keith a message, telling them the address. After receiving Keith's reply, she finally calmed down a bit.

Just then, Jack drove the car over.

Theodore, holding Ethan, walked to the car. Seeing Phoebe hang up and walk towards him, the air was thick with choking yellow sand, and fine dust stung their eyes.

Theodore placed the sleeping Ethan in the middle seat, then turned and walked briskly towards Phoebe. As he walked, he took off his suit jacket and, when he reached her, covered her with it to shield her from the sand.

A scent enveloped Phoebe as Theodore's strong arms held her. "Don't open your eyes. I'll hold you as we go."

Sand was everywhere, and Phoebe, wrapped in the suit jacket, could hardly see.

Theodore held her as they walked to the car. In a few steps, they reached the car. He opened the door and helped Phoebe in, then sat in the front passenger seat himself. "Drive," Theodore said, covered in sand. He gently patted and shook it off.

Phoebe pulled the suit jacket off her head and looked out the window. The world outside was a chaotic mix of dust, trash, and plastic bags flying everywhere.

She was worried, not knowing how Hubert, Boris, and Noomi were doing, and whether they could reach the villa before the sandstorm hit.

Jack drove slowly, constantly watching for tourists darting out from the roadside.

The eco-park's broadcast was already advising tourists to find nearby buildings to take shelter from the sandstorm. As the car moved forward, visibility decreased.

Phoebe's heart was in her throat until her phone buzzed softly. She quickly picked it up to check the message.noveldrama

The orange grove was close to the villa area, and Keith had already settled the elderly and children in the villa, telling Phoebe not to worry.

Upon receiving this message, Phoebe breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Theodore looked at her through the rearview mirror, "Worried about your neighbors?"

Phoebe was stunned for a second, then nodded calmly, "Yeah, we came out together. I took Ethan and ran off, and now there's a sandstorm. I'm quite worried about their triplets."

"They'll find a place to take shelter."

Phoebe put down her phone and held Ethan in her arms. "The sandstorm came so suddenly. There was no warning from the weather forecast."

"Don't worry. We'll be at the villa area soon," Theodore reassured her.

Phoebe pursed her lips, looking at the sandstorm outside the window. She wondered if Hubert, Boris, and Noomi were scared.

The Maybach soon entered the villa area. After circling around, they found the villa Theodore had booked. Jack drove into the underground parking lot, and the wind and sand were left behind, leaving a quiet environment.

Theodore got out first, opened the back door, and took Ethan from Phoebe's arms. "Let's go upstairs."

"Okay."

Phoebe got out of the car and followed Theodore to the elevator. The villa was large and luxuriously decorated, with custom-made furniture from Philadelphia, exuding elegance in every detail.

Especially the long-pile carpet, which made the disheveled Phoebe hesitant to step on it, fearing she would dirty it with sand. Cleaning this carpet would be a real hassle.

Theodore walked straight in with Ethan, placing him on the sofa and covering him with a thin blanket.

"He's sleeping so soundly, didn't even wake up," Theodore said, pinching Ethan's chubby cheeks. "He's gained some weight, quite heavy to hold."

Turning around and seeing Phoebe not coming in, he raised an eyebrow, "Why aren't you coming in?"

Phoebe replied, "The carpet looks so clean. I just don't want to dirty it."

"No worries, there's a vacuum cleaner," Theodore said with a smile. "We got covered sand. Go take a shower upstairs. We probably won't be able to return to the city today."

Phoebe turned to look out the window. The sky was a dark, ominous yellow, as if the world were on the brink of an apocalypse. The wind howled like nature itself was weeping, sending chills down her spine.

"This weather is terrifying. It came out of nowhere."

Theodore walked slowly to her side, looking down at her profile, "Are you scared?"

"Not scared, more like apprehensive. Extreme weather has been rampant these past few years. Those doomsday disaster movies we used to watch feel like they might become reality someday," Phoebe said worriedly.

Theodore saw her furrowed brows and wanted to smooth them out. "Don't worry. At least in our lifetime, we won't see the end of the world."

Phoebe knew she was overthinking things. She cleared her throat, "Can you watch Ethan for me? I'll go freshen up."

With that, Phoebe turned and walked upstairs.

Phoebe found a guest room, locked the door, and went to the bathroom to shower. A lot of sand washed down the drain. After cleaning up, she dried herself with a towel.

Looking at her sweaty clothes from a day of playing with the kids, Phoebe didn't want to put them back on.

But she couldn't bring herself to walk around in front of Theodore without wearing anything underneath.

As she was debating, there was a knock on the door.

Phoebe grabbed a bathrobe, wrapped it around herself, and opened the bathroom door. The knocking continued, and the rhythm made it clear who it was.

Phoebe walked to the door, unlocked it, and opened it just a crack, staring at the tall figure outside. "Mr. Reynolds, why did you come up?"