Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 157

Theodore froze, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

Emma’s face remained calm. She looked at him quietly, unflinching.

“You…” Theodore struggled for a long moment before he managed to speak. “How did you…”

She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead. “Theodore. You’re not the only clever person in the world. Just because some people keep quiet doesn’t mean they don’t know what’s going on.”

“Emma, I…” He sat down across from her, searching for words that

wouldn’t come.

Emma waited, but it was clear he had nothing more to say.

He wasn’t the type to lie to her–whether that was a virtue or a flaw, she couldn’t say. But precisely because of that, in moments like this, he simply couldn’t find an excuse.

“Theodore,” she said, not giving him more time to fumble. She knew he’d never find the words. “I’ll give you a choice: either leave now, or if you stay, you must promise never to see Cecilia again.”

He looked up at her, conflict flickering in his eyes.

“I mean it, Theodore,” Emma said, her voice steady and resolute.

He held her gaze for a moment, then turned and walked out.

She’d known he would choose this way. She’d only asked on a whim, not really expecting a different answer. Now that he was gone, she felt oddly at peace. When you set your expectations to zero for a person or a situation, disappointment simply ceases to exist.

A nurse came in, looking a little flustered.

She’d been standing in the doorway the whole time; Emma and Theodore

hadn’t bothered to lower their voices. It was hard for the nurse to face

Emma after overhearing something so private.

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But Emma was perfectly at ease. “Could you help me take a shower?” she

asked the nurse.

Grateful for something to do, the nurse quickly agreed and set about helping Emma get ready.

After the shower, Emma returned to her bed. There was a new message on her phone from Theodore: Emma, I’m sorry. I can’t give up on Cici–she’s someone I just can’t let go of. But you, I promised I’d never let you down, and I’ll keep my word.

Emma tossed her phone aside in disgust. What nonsense.

“Ma’am, what should I do with this? Would you like to eat it?” The nurse, tidying up the bedside table, had found the paper bag Theodore had brought.

“No, I don’t want it.”

The nurse hesitated, already peeking inside. “It’s some kind of dessert–it won’t last long, might melt.”

She showed it to Emma.

Emma recognized it at a glance: the restaurant’s famous signature dessert, a scoop of tart cranberry ice cream, filled with whipped cream, vanilla, and mixed berries.

It tasted quite good–she liked the sharpness of it.

So why not eat it?

“Give it here,” she said. No reason to punish herself, after all.

Meanwhile, Theodore had gone back to the restaurant. When Cecilia saw him return so soon, she was surprised. “You’re back already? How’s Emma?”

“She took a fall–not too serious, she’ll be fine.” He sat down, not looking particularly cheerful.

Cecilia watched him, lowering her voice. “What’s wrong? You look upset.

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Did you two argue?”

Theodore didn’t answer. He just took a long sip from the glass in front of

him.

“Oh–Theo, that’s my drink!” Cecilia protested gently.

Jared, sitting nearby, laughed. “Does it really matter? You two don’t need to be so particular with each other.”

Cecilia turned back to Theodore, concern in her eyes. “Theo, did you have a fight with Emma? She’s hurt right now–don’t be upset with her. She needs you to be there for her.”

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