Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 158

“It’s fine,” Theodore said. “There’s a nurse looking after her.”

“Theo, I have to say this!” Cecilia looked genuinely anxious. “A nurse is not the same as a husband! She’s hurt, and what she needs most right now is your care, your presence! We can go out drinking any time–why can’t you stay with her?”

Jared clapped Theodore on the shoulder. “Cici, don’t make a fuss. I know Emma–she probably told Theo to leave! Honestly, if Emma were half as thoughtful as you, our Theo wouldn’t have it so rough.”

Hanley chimed in, turning to Cecilia. “Cici, enough. You’re way too understanding. Sometimes you need to fight for what’s yours! Look at Emma–she’s always fighting for money, fighting for Theo’s attention. And you? You’re just pushing him away!”

At the mention of money, Cecilia simmered with frustration. All the little perks she’d managed to squeeze out of Theodore had been clawed right back by Emma!

She’d even had to move out and check herself into a hotel these past few days.

Her beautiful, carefully decorated home–gone! All those designer bags, jewelry, and watches–Emma wanted every last thing returned. It was enough to drive her mad.

But she couldn’t let her anger show. She still needed to keep Theodore on her side, so she quickly put on her sweetest smile, her eyes welling up.

“Jared, Hanley, please let’s not argue. Theo’s out there working so hard, for all of us, and for Emma, keeping everything together. If we don’t have his back, who will?”

Her words struck a chord with Theodore. The truth was, ever since his grandmother passed away in high school, he’d always been on his own.

Jared and Hanley both sighed.

1/3

00-107

Chapter 158

“But Cici,” Jared said, “you don’t have to be such a saint. If someone tells you to give everything back, you just do it? It’s not fair. Emma’s the one who should be handling all this, but you’re the one looking out for Theo.”

“Isn’t that what I should do?” Cecilia replied with a soft smile. “The house, the luxury stuff–if she wants them, let her have them. I don’t care about those things. What matters to me is our friendship. Years from now, I hope we’re still sitting around like this, sharing drinks and stories when we’re fifty, sixty, even eighty.”

Theodore’s eyes grew misty. He offered Cecilia a gentle smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you. Once the police drop the case, I’ll take care of everything.”

Jared grinned. “See? I told you Theo wouldn’t let you down. Do you believe me now?”

A flicker of hope lit up in Cecilia’s heart, but she kept her expression worried. “But what about Emma? Won’t she be upset?”

“Let her be,” Theodore replied. “If she wants to be angry, she can. I’ll talk to her, send her some extra money–that always helps.”

He chuckled, adding, “She’s used to the best–her own hospital room, private nurse, business–class flights, designer clothes, gourmet meals. She couldn’t manage without me. Honestly, she wouldn’t last a day on

her own.”

“That’s… good, then. I just don’t want you and Emma fighting,” Cecilia said with a playful pout, though inside she was seething. More money for Emma? The best of everything for her? Why won’t he just divorce her already? If he did, maybe I’d finally have a chance. Emma’s lived in luxury for five years while I scraped by overseas–how is that fair? It should have been mine. All of it. Mine!

Hanley lifted his glass. “Come on! Here’s to us–may we still be sitting here, drinking together, when we’re eighty!”

“Cheers!” Theodore raised his glass with a warm smile, clinking it hard against the others. “To the best friends a guy could ask for!”

2/3

09:10

Emma stayed in the hospital for four days.

On the fourth day, her wound had healed well enough for the doctor to remove her stitches and clear her for discharge.

That morning, her grandmother called with good news: a package had arrived at home, and from the envelope, it looked like her passport.

Emma’s spirits lifted. “That’s great, Grandma. I’ll come home today.”

With her head injury healing nicely, she could move around without trouble. Fallon, however, still needed to stay in the hospital a bit longer. Emma reassured her, saying she’d be fine at her grandmother’s house; Fallon could focus on her own recovery.

Emma checked herself out, then headed to the Wellness Center. She hadn’t had a Meridian Therapy session in days–her rehab had come to a halt, and with her upcoming trip, she wouldn’t be able to continue for a while. She needed to let her doctor know.

When she arrived, she explained her situation and that she’d be leaving town within a week, making it impossible to keep up with treatment.

Dr. Fletcher looked regretful. “Honestly, you’ve been responding well to therapy and rehab. Recovery is a long road—some people need a year, some two, others even longer. No one gets better in just a few days. I won’t sugarcoat it–there’s no guarantee you’ll walk again, but if you give up now, your chance drops to zero.”

“I understand, Dr. Fletcher,” Emma said, her mind torn. On one hand, there was a slim chance at recovery; on the other, a new life awaited her elsewhere. She made up her mind quickly. “But I’ve decided to stop for

now.”

09.10

Chapter 159