Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 135

“You’re not leaving!” Cecilia rushed into the hallway, blocking her path.

Emma stopped and looked at her calmly.

Cecilia’s eyes were red with rage as she pointed at Emma. “So this is it? You’re determined to ruin me because you think once I’m out of the picture, Theodore will love you?”

Emma just smiled, as if she saw no point in explaining herself to Cecilia.

“Oh, you think this is funny? You’re proud of yourself, aren’t you? Let me tell you, even if I did go to jail, Theodore would never forget me. He’d only hate you more!”

Emma listened to Cecilia’s words–spat out through clenched teeth–and silently repeated them to herself. Strangely, they didn’t hurt anymore. Whether Theodore loved her or hated her, whether he couldn’t forget Cecilia or anyone else, it just didn’t matter to Emma anymore. She felt nothing.

So she smiled again, a small, content smile at her own progress.

But to Cecilia, that smile was infuriating. “Do you even know how much Theodore loves me? I was the one who left him! I disappeared for five years, and when I came back, I was still the love of his life. Look around this house–the living room, the dining room, every detail is decorated just the way I like it! Even the security code on your front door? That’s my

birthday!”

Emma looked at her, expression calm. “Oh,” she said quietly. “But the deed is in my name.”

“You-!” Cecilia sucked in a shaky breath, trembling with anger. “Do you have any idea? After all these years, he still remembers that list of a hundred little promises he made to me. He’s still determined to help me finish every single one! He remembers my favorite foods, my favorite colors–he never gets it wrong when he buys me clothes or shoes. He even cooks for me himself! If I told him I wanted to eat roast duck in

1/3

09:03

Chapter 135

New York tonight, he’d buy us plane tickets and take me there–no questions asked!”

Emma nodded mildly. “Is that so? Must be true love.”

A triumphant smile flickered across Cecilia’s face.

Emma let out a sigh. “What a shame, though. You don’t have the paperwork.”

“And what do you have besides a piece of paper?” Cecilia sneered. “Do you have love? Does Theo even love you? Don’t you get it? All I have to do is ask, and he’ll buy me anything–designer bags, expensive watches, a new house! He’s made up for everything by giving it all to me!”

Emma’s lips curled into a small smile. “So, the trips you take to finish old promises, the luxury handbags, the designer watches, and the fancy house–they’re all paid for by him, right?”

“Of course!” Cecilia lifted her chin, proud. “He never holds back with me. The moment I ask, his money just flows my way.”

Emma looked down and laughed softly. She pulled out her phone, waving it in front of Cecilia. “Thank you for your testimony. By the way, I’m pretty sure my husband keeps records of every transaction. You see, the great thing about having the marriage certificate is I can file a lawsuit. I can claim all those shared marital assets you two spent–every handbag, every watch, and even that fancy house.”

“You-” Cecilia’s bravado wavered. Her voice trembled with panic and fury. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I? All it takes is hiring a lawyer.” Emma smiled wider. “And don’t worry–I’ll be paying the legal fees with Theodore’s money, too.”

“You… You only care about money! That’s all you ever talk about, you gold–digger!” Cecilia was nearly shrieking.

Emma kept smiling serenely. “That’s right. And the funny thing is, Theodore’s money? It really is mine.”

Even as she said it, Emma felt a little childish, like she was bickering on

2/3

09.03

Chapter 135

the playground. The whole thing was silly. If Cecilia hadn’t barged in,

Emma wouldn’t have bothered to argue face–to–face at all.

2/2