Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 171

“No,” Emma said with a bright smile. “Go on, get going! Right now!”

Theodore stared at her, trying to read that half-mocking, half-smiling expression on her face. Was she lying? He couldn’t tell. “If you don’t go today, I’ll drag you there myself if I have to.”

His words were sharp, his eyes even sharper. It was as if the gentle, protective man from a moment ago had been nothing but a mirage.

Without another word, Theodore restarted the car and drove to a newly built neighborhood across town. As luck would have it, just as they pulled up, they saw Cecilia lugging an enormous bag out of her apartment building.

Cecilia, spotting Theodore’s car, rushed over, dragging the bag behind her and looking utterly miserable.

Theodore jumped out as soon as he saw her. “What’s going on? What’s in that bag?”

Cecilia was already sniffling. “Theo, I was just about to call and ask you to pick me up.”

“What happened? Why are you crying?” Theodore bent down, his face full of concern.

“It’s nothing—I’m just… sad,” Cecilia sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “Theo, that was my home, the one you gave me. I spent so much time making it ours. There are so many memories there. All those nights we stayed up talking, sharing a drink or two… and now it’s all gone.”

Theodore glanced back at the car. Emma had popped her head out the window and flashed him a dazzling smile.

He hadn’t expected that. He’d been bracing for her anger, but instead she was smiling—creepily, unsettlingly. Was she plotting something?

Cecilia didn’t notice Emma in the car. Still wiping her tears, she opened the giant bag for Theodore to see. “Theo, can I take these dolls home with me? Please talk to Emma for me. They’re not luxury items, just some dolls you bought for me over the years. I know you picked them out when you were thinking of me. They’re things I love—not Emma. Please, let me keep them?”

Theodore instinctively glanced at Emma again. She was leaning on the car window, watching them with that same mysterious smile.

Wait a second—weren’t these the very dolls Emma had sent to Theodore’s office by express courier? So Cecilia had taken them back?

“Hey!” Emma called out from inside the car. “I’m right here! You can talk to me directly. No need for a go-between.”

Cecilia looked up, startled, and seeing Emma smiling, she went from shocked to outright flustered. Would Emma be so annoyed by this scene that she’d refuse to drop the charges?

Cecilia was dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open, utterly speechless.

“Alright, enough with the bickering,” Theodore said, loading Cecilia’s massive bag of dolls into the car. “Let’s get moving and take care of this before work.”

Cecilia, of course, followed them into the car. She hesitated at the passenger seat, but finally, and very begrudgingly, slid into the back.

From the back seat, she glared daggers at Emma, jealousy flickering in her eyes. Suddenly, she pointed at a cute cartoon ornament hanging from the rearview mirror. “Emma, sorry—I took down the wooden charm you had hanging there and put this up instead. Hope you don’t mind. It’s so adorable, and I thought Theo would like seeing it while he drives.”

Emma honestly couldn’t understand it—why did Cecilia, knowing perfectly well she was the other woman, still have the nerve to provoke her again and again, right to her face? Thank goodness she was done with this marriage, and done with this man, otherwise she’d be furious.

Emma just smiled. “Oh, that wooden charm? I think Theodore’s wearing it around his neck these days, didn’t you notice?”

She’d seen it herself that morning, when Theodore had held her in his arms at his grandmother’s house.