Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 174

“You…” Theodore was seething with anger. “You’re going to be the death of me! Why can’t you ever understand where I’m coming from? Must you always throw these hurtful words at me? Why do you always twist yourself out of shape with jealousy?”

Emma almost laughed at that. She wanted to throw his words right back at him.

Why is it so hard for you to understand? She truly wasn’t jealous, not even a bit. She didn’t care in the slightest that he’d given Cecilia a ride.

“Theodore…” Emma’s voice was weary, drained. “First, I’m not jealous. Second, I don’t love you anymore. Third, maybe we should just get the divorce over with—will you finally believe me then?”

“This is ridiculous! You just don’t know when to quit! You’re using divorce to threaten me now?” Theodore, furious, spun on his heel and stormed off.

Emma watched his retreating figure, then pulled out her phone to call a cab.

Honestly, who’s the irrational one here?

She hurried back to her grandmother’s house, her heart pounding.

She was so anxious because there were only a few days left before she had to leave. Her parents’ presence hung over her like a ticking time bomb, and once she was gone, Theodore would finally realize she was serious about leaving him for good. She couldn’t count on Theodore to keep protecting her grandmother. So in these few days, she had to move her grandmother to a place her parents couldn’t find. When she returned in a month, she’d help her grandmother get a visa and take her away for good.

When Emma arrived back in the village, she found Theodore’s driver still there, but her parents and Jonathan were nowhere to be seen.

“Ma’am.” The driver stood up from the lounge chair in the yard, looking confused, as if silently asking her: How much longer do I need to keep watch here?

“You can go now,” Emma told him.

But the driver shook his head stubbornly. Without Theodore’s orders, he wouldn’t dare leave.

Emma let it go and hurried inside, where she whispered the whole plan in her grandmother’s ear.

Her grandmother listened, gripping Emma’s hand tightly. When Emma finished, she nodded resolutely, giving her full support.

And so, the two of them began to pack.

In a way, it was a relief to have the driver standing guard—Emma’s parents wouldn’t dare come, and even if they did, they couldn’t get in. Once everything was ready, they could slip away unnoticed.

With Emma urging her on, it took them barely half an hour to pack up. They only took the essentials: IDs, bank cards, the deeds to the house, and a few pieces of precious jewelry.

Everything else, they left behind.

Grandma fit everything into a single canvas tote.

As they stepped out of the house, her grandmother glanced around one last time, reluctant to leave. Finally, she picked up the photos from the frames on the table, tucked them into a hardcover notebook, and prepared to take them along.

Emma spotted a photo of herself, Theodore, and her grandmother.

But the message only got a red exclamation mark.

That’s when he realized—Emma had blocked him.

He tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. He sent a text, but there was no reply.

“She’s still mad,” Theodore sighed. “Forget it, I’ll just wait for them by the village entrance.”

“Theo! I’m telling you, your wife is way too much! You should really put your foot down with her for once! She’d survive just fine without you, but she’s still acting so dramatic!” Jared grumbled, never one to hide his dislike of Emma.

Hanley chimed in, “Why go back now? Aren’t you having a good time drinking and hanging out with us? We’re supposed to be celebrating Cici moving into her new place! Don’t spoil the mood.”

Theodore just sighed. “I have to go. There’s some stuff going on at her house, and honestly, I’m worried about Grandma.”

Cecilia raised her glass and smiled sweetly. “Theo, it’s the right thing to do. Grandma’s always been good to you—you should care about her. There’ll be plenty of time for drinks. Oh, and thank you for helping me with the new apartment.”

“It was nothing,” Theodore replied with a smile. “I’ll see you all later.”

“Drive safe,” Cecilia said, her smile never wavering, though inwardly she seethed with jealousy. Grandma, always Grandma—she never imagined her true rival would be an old woman. Emma might not have beaten her, but the old hag was still in her way, fighting her for everything she wanted.