Forbidden Passion

With all the drama from Marlowe and Bishop's fight, nobody was in the mood to celebrate Grace coming back to the Reynolds family. Taylor was busy patching up Christopher, and Sarah had called Brandon into the room. Grace was just sitting there in the empty living room, lost in thought on the couch, staring at the fairy lights by the big window.

Phoebe came over with a cup of milk, gently touching Grace's cheek with it. Grace snapped out of her daze, "Phoebe."

"Yeah," Phoebe handed her the milk and plopped down next to her. "Today was a mess, don't let it get to you. Mom and Dad will make it up to you."

Grace took a sip of the milk, "I'm fine, I just..."

She just didn't expect all the dark secrets in a rich family. On her first day back, she saw something crazy.

Grace still felt out of it. She didn't really feel like part of the Reynolds family. She felt like a stranger to everyone in the household, especially Brandon and Taylor.

Taylor was super nice to Grace. When she was in the hospital, Taylor visited her three times a day. She only saw Theodore and Christopher once, and they never came back to visit her. Sometimes Grace wondered, if it were Madison in the hospital, would they still be so indifferent?

Probably not.

Grace knew it was silly to think that way, but she felt like an intruder, messing up what was once a happy family.

Coming back to the Reynolds family felt like a dream to Grace, with no sense of reality.

"Grace, don't overthink it. Drink your milk and get some sleep. Everything will be better tomorrow," Phoebe patted Grace's shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Grace looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, "Phoebe, can you sleep with me tonight? I'm kinda scared to be alone."

Phoebe, looking for any excuse to avoid sharing a bed with Theodore, agreed without hesitation, "Sure."

Theodore, who had walked over, was speechless.

Was Phoebe avoiding him like he had the plague?

Not long after, Brandon came out of Sarah's room looking all down, catching everyone's attention in the living room.

Brandon paused and commanded, "Grace, come to the study."

Grace quickly stood up, almost spilling the milk on herself, showing how flustered she was. Phoebe took the cup from her hand and reassured her, "Don't be scared, it's okay."

Grace bit her lower lip, feeling pathetic. Brandon was her dad, so why was she so scared of him?

Grace had seen Madison act all spoiled in front of Brandon, and the usually stern Brandon would soften, indulging Madison's every whim.

Grace had never been good at acting spoiled or pleasing her parents. She really envied Madison. If she could act spoiled and be charming, maybe she wouldn't be in her current situation. Standing outside the study, Grace raised her hand and knocked on the door. Brandon's authoritative voice came from inside. "Come in!"

Grace took a deep breath and gently pushed open the door. After entering, she closed it behind her.

The study was huge, with bookshelves filled with books. Brandon stood behind the desk, writing.

Grace slowly walked over and waited until Brandon finished writing before softly calling, "Dad."

Brandon put down his pen, took a bank card from the drawer, and pushed it towards Grace, saying, "This card has five million dollars. Spend it however you want, don't be frugal. Buy whatever you like." Grace was stunned, "Dad..."

"Over the years, you've had it rough with the Sullivan family. Bringing you back to the Reynolds family, we planned this big, fancy party for you, but it got messed up." Brandon paused, then continued, "You were wronged today. Don't let it get to you. If you need money, just ask me or your mom. The Reynolds family won't let you down."

Grace didn't take the bank card, "I have money."

Brandon remembered how shabby Grace looked the last time he saw her and said, "Buy some nice clothes. You're a Reynolds now, and you should look the part. If you don't know what to buy, let Phoebe go with you. She's got good taste." Grace looked down at the princess dress she was wearing. It wasn't her usual style, but Taylor wanted to see her in it, so she wore it.

But right now, Grace felt like a clown on stage in her princess dress, absurd and ridiculous.

"I..."

Before Grace could finish, Brandon interrupted, "One more thing. Madison grew up in the Reynolds family and is used to this lifestyle. Your mom and I want her to continue living here. You two are the same age, so get along well, okay?" Grace's hands, hanging by her side, slowly clenched into fists. Brandon's words were a bit hard to grasp, but from his tone, she understood who he was closer to.

Grace bit her lower lip, holding back her grievances, "Got it."

Brandon looked at her for a while, seemingly having nothing more to say. He said, "Take the card and go out."

Grace lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. After a moment, she picked up the bank card and turned to leave.

Phoebe went to her room to get her pajamas. Standing in front of the wardrobe, she heard footsteps behind her but didn't turn around, sensing the footsteps stop three steps away.

She found her pajamas and was about to leave when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. The next second, she was pulled into Theodore's embrace, held tightly from behind. "Phoebe," Theodore's lips were close to her neck, his warm breath making her skin tingle.

She turned her face away, her voice cold as ice, "Let go of me."

Earlier in the garden, she had broken down and cried in front of Theodore, which was too embarrassing. Thinking back now, she felt ashamed. Theodore didn't say a word, his lips trailing up her neck, kissing her face.

Phoebe felt Theodore's growing desire behind her, making her dizzy. She clutched the soft fabric in her hands tightly.

She said, "Let go of me!"

Theodore's actions were forceful, not giving her a chance to break free. He bit her earlobe, causing a sharp pain.

Phoebe froze, not daring to move.

She asked, "Theodore, what do you want?"

Theodore squinted his eyes and chuckled.

Phoebe didn't want to have sex with Theodore; she wasn't in the mood. But she knew that if Theodore desired it, she couldn't avoid it. Avoiding it would only prolong the torment.

"I'm really tired today, not in the mood. Can you let me go?" Phoebe said.

Theodore's kissing came to a halt. He didn't really want to do anything to Phoebe; he was just annoyed by her cold attitude.

He turned Phoebe towards him, holding her gently, and said, "I'll let you go if you beg me."