Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 192

Emma kept her silence, unbothered by what he said—she just kept recording everything. When the truth about the volunteer came out, she’d have this little clip ready to throw in his face and see if he could handle the embarrassment.

“My grandmother used to say,” Theodore began, “that the young volunteer girl back then—she was so thin, always helping her wash up, giving her medicine, carrying her down for exams. She was just the sweetest, kindest girl. Cici… after all these years, she hasn’t changed a bit…”

He stopped short, as if suddenly remembering something, and opened his eyes to look straight into hers. “What about you? Only I ever washed your feet.”

He wasn’t wrong. He really had done that for her once.

It was back when she was still recovering, so long ago now that the memory had grown blurry and painful—something she’d rather not revisit.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” he asked, his hand slipping up to cup her face. “My Mrs. Whitman.”

She thought for a second. “Well… why don’t you let Cecilia wash your feet for a change? She’s obviously good at it.”

Or better yet, have her do it every day. Not like Emma would ever see him again.

“You—” He pinched her nose, a little too firmly. “Mrs. Whitman, do you have any heart at all? You sound so jealous it’s painful.”

He always assumed she was jealous…

But did it never occur to him that, when a wife said things like this, maybe—just maybe—she didn’t care anymore?

“Let go, I can’t breathe.” She opened her mouth, gasping, and smacked his hand away.

He released her, flopping back against the sofa with a heavy sigh. “Cici and I—it’s not what you think. It’s just that she and I…” He trailed off. “Forget it. You wouldn’t understand.”

“You’re right, I don’t,” Emma said flatly. “I mean, honestly, you know what they say—never go back to an old flame. She dumped you back then like tossing out a worn-out shoe, couldn’t get you out of her life fast enough. And now she comes crawling back and you welcome her with open arms.”

He scowled at her. “A worn-out shoe? Are you saying I’m a worn-out shoe?”

Jared was calling to check if Theodore had made it home.

“I’m home, I’m fine, don’t worry. Emma’s here.”

“That’s exactly why we’re worried! Your housekeeper’s gone, and I told you to stay at Cici’s tonight, but you wouldn’t listen. At least she could’ve looked after you.”

“I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I’m not a child.”

“By the way, Cici’s air-conditioning might be acting up…”

The conversation circled around Cecilia for a good while. Theodore, growing more and more exhausted, finally began to drift in and out of consciousness. Eventually, his phone slipped onto the sofa.

But Jared kept rambling. “Oh, by the way, my salary’s going up by a hundred grand a month, and I got millions more in my mid-year bonus—keep it between us, yeah? If my wife finds out, that money’s as good as gone! Did Hanley get a raise too, or is it just me? I’m afraid I’ll slip up and tell her!”