Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 138

Cecilia stammered, “Maybe… you… you didn’t mean to…” She glanced over at Theodore as she spoke, her voice trembling. “Theo, maybe Emma just

made a mistake…”

Emma flashed a humorless smile and turned to Theodore. “Do you

believe that?”

Theodore didn’t answer.

“Do you really think a cripple like me could take on someone as lively as her?” Emma pressed, refusing to let him off the hook.

“Theo, I… I swear I didn’t use any force. I know Emma’s leg isn’t well, and besides, Fallon was helping her…” Cecilia’s voice wavered as she spoke, and it sounded as if she might burst into tears any second.

Theodore didn’t bother listening to their bickering. He sat down heavily in the chair, his face clouded and cold. “What’s done is done. There’s no point in rehashing it. There’s only one option left for Fallon.”

“Option, my ass!” Emma wanted nothing more than to throw the glass of water on the coffee table straight in his face. “Why not go over what happened? Because you know your precious Cici is lying! There are security cameras in this house. If you actually looked at your phone, you’d know exactly what went down! Quit playing dumb! What makes the two of you think you have the right to negotiate with me?”

Emma was done arguing. She didn’t want to yell, didn’t even want to get angry. She just wished these two would take their drama elsewhere and leave her in peace.

“Emma!” Theodore’s tone was low and sharp as he rapped his knuckles on the table. “What happened isn’t the point. Here’s the deal: Fallon leaves, her daughter is expelled from school, unless you want to help her

out.”

So that’s what this was all about. Emma finally understood.

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It didn’t matter what little Princess Cici had actually done, because Theodore had already picked a side.

Emma laughed, the sound brittle. “Theodore, I must be out of my mind to talk about right and wrong with you. In your eyes, your Cici is perfect, isn’t she? Even if she screws up, you’ll conjure up a thousand excuses to defend her. So, tell me–how am I supposed to ‘help‘ Fallon? You want me to drop the charges, right? If I give in and drop them, Fallon gets to stay, and her kid can keep going to school?”

“Yes.” Theodore’s answer was short and unequivocal, his voice hard.

“Ma’am.” Fallon, who’d been standing in the corner wringing her hands, finally seemed to regain her composure, though her eyes were still wet with tears. “Don’t let me sway your decision. I’ll leave right away. I don’t have much to pack. I’ll pick my daughter up at noon. Please… take care of yourself.”

Fallon hated the thought of leaving. After all, she’d worked here for five years, and her daughter had finally settled into a good school in a city as big as Cresthaven. But she’d run from a monster who abused and cheated on her–how could she ask her employer to risk anything for

her?

She would leave. She had to believe there was always a way forward. She’d survived hell once already–what was there to fear now? Still, it hurt to say goodbye to Emma. She couldn’t help but worry about who might be hired next–would they truly care about Emma?

“Fallon, there’s no need to rush,” Emma tried to comfort her.

Fallon shook her head. “Ma’am, I… I have my principles. I know I don’t have much say here, but… but…” She faltered, the words lost, and just repeated, “I have my principles.”

Emma thought for a moment. “Fallon, you don’t need to hurry. Your daughter’s tuition for this term is already paid. No matter what, she can finish out the semester. Summer break is just around the corner. There’s no need to pick her up today. As for Theodore’s so–called deal…”

Chapter 138

Across from her, Theodore and Cecilia both leaned forward, their eyes lighting up with anticipation.

Emma paused, then said, “I’ll drop the charges.”

Cecilia’s face instantly brightened with delight. Theodore’s shoulders relaxed. Only Fallon seemed anxious, worried that Emma was sacrificing herself on her behalf.

Emma squeezed Fallon’s hand to reassure her. “But I have conditions of my own.”

“Name them.” Theodore’s tone was firm, as if he was ready to give up anything for Cecilia.

Emma ignored his desperate expression and stared straight ahead. “First, Cecilia has to leave your company. She can never work there again, can’t hold any shares, and you can’t open a new company for her, either.”

This didn’t seem to faze either Theodore or Cecilia. Theodore agreed instantly. “Fine.”

“Second, every cent you’ve spent on Cecilia–from designer handbags to the house–it’s all marital property. I want it all accounted for and returned. And from today forward, you’re not to give her a dime more, for any reason.”

That wiped the smile right off Cecilia’s face.

She always claimed it was about love, but if Theodore were dead broke, would she even look his way?

“Theo! You can’t!” she blurted.

But she quickly caught herself, realizing how revealing her reaction was. “Those were gifts! They have sentimental value—I can’t just give them back… And at home, there are traces of our life together…”

Traces of their life together? Even now, she couldn’t resist twisting the knife.

Emma gave a slow, icy smile and pointed upward. “All our home’s

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Chapter 138

security footage is saved, you know. You just said it yourself—there’s evidence of you and Theodore living together. Thanks for the extra ammunition, Cici. If I ever wanted to take Theodore to court for bigamy, you just handed me a winning ticket. I used to think proving that would be tough, but thank you, truly.”

Cecilia’s face went pale. “You said you’d drop the charges–you promised not to go after him!”