Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 145

“Not a chance,” Theodore replied, standing by the car.

“Or have you already figured out how to move your assets?”

“I have no intention of doing that,” Theodore sighed. “York, you and I have known each other for years–don’t you know what kind of person I am by now? I wouldn’t deceive her. Money, property, all of it–it’s just stuff. I already owe her too much. A young woman’s whole life, her dancing career, ruined because of me. How could any amount of money make up for that? It’s priceless, York.”

“So…”

“So, if she wants money, I’ll give her money. Whatever she asks for, I’ll give it to her. She’s my wife, legally. Isn’t my wealth our shared property? You’re a lawyer–shouldn’t you be explaining this to me, not the other way around?”

“That’s not what I meant. And what about your first love…”

“She? We met when neither of us had much to our names. She’s someone who cares deeply about feelings.”

“Alright, fine.” York, the lawyer, decided to let the rest go unsaid. Mr. Whitman, I hope things work out as you wish. Matters of the heart… well, as a lawyer, I’ve seen plenty of those.

Theodore hung up and was about to get into the car when he realized he’d forgotten his briefcase. Turning around, he found Emma standing behind him, holding it out for him, looking a bit dazed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Emma snapped out of it, as if waking from a dream. “Nothing, here’s your bag.”

She handed him the briefcase.

Theodore smiled. “Not bad, six words.”

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09:06

Chapter 145

Emma fell silent.

“I’ve got to head to the office–urgent matters to deal with.” He took the bag, got into the car, and sped off.

Emma watched his car disappear down the street, an unexpected emptiness settling in her chest.

After her session at the Wellness Center–some meridian therapy in the morning—Emma grabbed a simple lunch nearby before returning for her rehab appointment.

The recovery room had beds to rest on. Around two, a nurse helped her begin her exercises. Today went better than yesterday; the pain had eased a little. She was still exhausted, but she managed to get through it. Afterward, she showered, changed into the clothes she’d brought, and arranged for a courier to take her dirty laundry home. Then she went to meet Renee.

Renee had just flown in that day. Emma hadn’t seen her in years. Renee was tanner than before–probably from all the time she spent on construction sites–but she looked healthy and energetic, nothing like Emma’s pale, slightly sickly appearance.

“Check out these guns!” Renee flexed her triceps and biceps, showing off the results of heavy lifting at work.

Emma couldn’t help but laugh.

They chatted and ate together. Then, glancing at Emma with some hesitation, Renee said, “Emma, I need to ask you something–promise you won’t get upset.”

“What is it? Just say it!”

“So, I was really excited about having dinner with you tonight, and I told a few old classmates about it last night. Turns out, now everyone wants to see you. They were all set to crash our dinner, but I said no because I wasn’t sure you’d be okay with it. Then they suggested we all go out for

Chapter 145

karaoke after. I still said no, told them I’d ask you first. So… would you want to see everyone later?”

“Of course!” Emma grinned. “I haven’t seen everyone in ages. Do they know about my leg?”

She was referring to her injury.

“Yeah… that’s what I wanted to apologize for. I told them about it without asking you first.” Renee looked a little guilty.

Emma understood. After so long apart, friends were bound to ask how she was doing. The injury was a fact she couldn’t avoid.

“It’s fine.” She smiled. If she wanted to step out of the little world Theodore had built around her, to move into a larger one, she’d have to learn to handle all sorts of attention.

“I’ll text them, then!” Renee said, relieved.

The classmates had already picked a spot nearby and were just waiting for Emma’s okay. If she said yes, they’d head right over; if not, they’d cancel the reservation.

“Let’s go!” Renee said, excited. “They’re on their way.”

The place was just around the corner. When Emma and Renee arrived, the others were already there. The welcome was far warmer than Emma had expected. Everyone mentioned her leg, but in a casual, friendly way–they even gathered around to check it out, but there was no pity or

awkwardness, more like someone asking about a cold or a sprained wrist. No big deal.

She liked this–much better than people tiptoeing around her feelings, pretending nothing had happened. They treated her like anyone else who’d just hurt her leg, no more, no less.

It turned into a wonderful evening. They sang old high school songs for hours, until their voices were hoarse, then flopped into their seats to reminisce, trading stories over drinks. Emma, caught up in the laughter, ended up drinking more than she usually would.

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09.07

Some classmates had done well for themselves; others had hit rough

patches. As they talked about the past, a few regrets started to surface.

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