Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 163

Theodore let out a cold laugh and seized Emma’s wrist where she was bracing herself against the door. With a firm tug, her hand slipped, and the door swung open, allowing him to stride into the yard.

“Let’s go, Mrs. Whitman.” He slipped an arm around her waist and called into the house, “Grandma, do you want Emma and me to pick up some fruit?”

Emma’s mind wasn’t on fruit—she was worried she’d left her passport out on the table.

Grandma appeared from inside, beaming. “No need, dear. We’ve got plenty of fruit at home.”

“Alright then, we won’t bother.” Theodore kept his arm around Emma, glancing down at her with a smug little smirk, as if daring her: Go on, make a scene in front of Grandma if you’re so brave.

Emma pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Fine, whatever. It’s only a few more days, she thought.

As soon as she stepped inside, Emma’s eyes darted to the table. To her relief, the passport she’d left there earlier had been put away.

“Go on, you two, enjoy yourselves. I’ll slice up some watermelon,” Grandma called, ushering them to sit.

“I’ll do it, Grandma.” Theodore released Emma and headed for the kitchen. “Where’s the watermelon? Oh, I see it.”

On summer evenings, there was nothing better than cooling off with a slice of watermelon.

The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and a gentle evening breeze drifted through the yard. The garden lights blinked on right on schedule, twinkling like fireflies weaving through the flowers.

Grandma set a table outside, arranged the watermelon, and Theodore brewed a pot of tea. He filled two small dishes with mixed nuts, then pulled Emma out to the yard to sit and chat together in the cool air.

Theodore leaned back contentedly in a bamboo chair, sighing with pleasure. “There’s just something about summer nights. When I was a kid and summer vacation started, I’d sit out here with Grandma, eating watermelon and cooling off.”

Grandma fanned herself with an old-fashioned hand fan, waving it back and forth.

“You’re not still hot, are you, Grandma?” Theodore grinned. “My other grandma used to do the same thing—always fanning herself with one of those big round fans while we sat outside.”

The fan in Grandma’s hand was nearly falling apart. Hardly anyone used those anymore.

“This old thing isn’t just for the breeze,” Grandma laughed. “It’s for keeping the mosquitoes away too.”

“Oh, that explains why you keep fanning your legs!” Theodore chuckled, but then his smile faded, his thoughts wandering somewhere far away.

For a moment, the little yard fell quiet.

“Grandma,” Theodore said suddenly, “when things slow down for me in a few days, why don’t the three of us take a trip together? Where would you like to go? The countryside? The coast? Or maybe even abroad?”

Grandma hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her face.

Before she could answer, Emma jumped in, “I don’t have the time, and neither does Grandma.”

Theodore’s tone turned teasing, like he found the idea of them being busy utterly ridiculous. “What could you two possibly be so busy with?”

Emma didn’t bother arguing. “Busy is busy. That’s all there is to it.”

Emma found it incredibly irritating.

“You should go,” she said, hugging her pillow and planning to sleep in Grandma’s room.

But Theodore blocked the doorway. “Mrs. Whitman, we still have unfinished business to settle.”

Emma: ???

He shut the bedroom door behind them.

“What now?” she asked, already weary of his antics.

“What did you say at the Wellness Center today? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.” His face darkened.

Emma: …

No, she hadn’t forgotten.

“I never realized you could spin such wild stories.” He yanked the pillow from her arms and tossed it back onto the bed.

“Theodore, what on earth is wrong with you?” she snapped. “You’ve been acting crazier than usual lately.”

“I just want to know—how did you know something was wrong with me?” He grabbed her by the shoulders, searching her eyes for answers.