Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 193

Emma picked up the phone and put it back to Theodore’s ear. On the other end, Jared was shouting, “Theo? Theo, don’t tell me you’ve fallen asleep already?”

“Mmm…” Theodore was so drunk his words slurred. “Take care of Cici…”

“Theo, come on, why put yourself through this? Just take care of her yourself!” Jared sighed heavily.

Emma thought she might be seeing things, but it looked like a tear slid down Theodore’s cheek.

But when Theodore’s choked voice drifted from the phone, Emma knew she hadn’t imagined it—he really was crying.

With tears running down his face, he said to Jared, “It’s impossible now, I can never do it. I have to do right by Emma. I can’t… Cici… Cici…”

“All right, just get some rest, okay? I’m hanging up now. Ah—” Jared’s long sigh was the last thing she heard before the call ended.

Emma set the phone down beside Theodore, her own emotions now completely numb.

It’s all right, Mr. Whitman. I’ll let you go.

She was grateful for this drunken night; it had finally given her answers.

She’d always wondered how Theodore had managed to buy Cici a new house and those designer gifts without breaking any of her three rules. Now she understood—it had been through Jared.

He’d given Jared a hefty raise, and at mid-year, handed him a multimillion-dollar bonus.

Theodore really was shrewd. Technically, he hadn’t broken her rules.

But Theodore, doesn’t your conscience sting, even a little?

Oh, right—I forgot. Your heart was never in the right place.

Three days left on her countdown to leaving. When Emma woke up that morning, there would only be two days until she flew to the capital to reunite with her professors.

She’d take her grandmother along, move straight into the apartment Ms. Brown had already rented, and together they’d catch the evening flight out.

After a month abroad, she wouldn’t return to Cresthaven—she’d stay in the capital with her grandmother for a while, get her visa sorted, and then it would be time for school.

She pictured it all so perfectly. All she wanted was for things to go smoothly.

To get through these last two days peacefully, she’d decided not to go out at all. Still, she missed her grandmother terribly, but for now she had to resist the urge to video call—Theodore was still in the apartment, taking a shower.

She could still hear the gentle patter of water from the bathroom; that was what had woken her up this morning.

She remembered the night of their fifth anniversary—how the sound of running water that night had shattered her last hopes for their marriage. It all felt so recent, yet she also felt like she’d already crossed oceans to get here.

Lost in thought, she realized the water had stopped.

Emma kept scrolling on her phone, watching a comedy show that made her laugh out loud.

Emma didn’t want to stir up trouble now, but the words hovered on her lips: Aren’t you?

She reminded herself there were only two days left. Just grit your teeth and get through it, she thought. Deal with the rest later.

“So… what did I talk to Jared about for so long?” He tried to sound casual, but he couldn’t quite look her in the eye.

Feeling guilty, are we?

Emma scoffed silently, but replied in a light tone, “You two were talking about your precious Cici, of course!”

“Don’t be sarcastic.” His face darkened instantly.

“What, did I get it wrong? Your phone even has her saved as ‘Baby Cici.’”

“That was…” He hesitated. “That was a long time ago. I just never changed it.”

“Oh? Then change it now.” Emma prodded, feigning innocence.

“Emma, what’s the point—”

“It’s fine. I’m not forcing you. If you want to keep her as your ‘baby,’ go ahead. Doesn’t bother me.” Emma picked up her phone and turned her attention back to the comedy. Some actors, she thought, really were born for this; just a glimpse of their face made her laugh.

As she burst out laughing again, Theodore reached out to block her screen. “Yesterday, what exactly did I say?”