Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 194

“You said…” Emma was still caught up in the joke from earlier, her laughter refusing to fade. “You told Jared to take good care of Cici, and that you love her so much—but for the rest of your life, you’ll be responsible for me.”

“That’s it?” Theodore fixed his gaze on her.

“That’s all! What else did you think you said? Feeling guilty about something?” Emma teased, her smile widening.

He hesitated for a split second. “No, no. Nothing like that.”

“Then let me watch my show in peace.” She pried his hand off her arm.

“You’re not mad?” He studied her face, searching for any sign of anger.

“Why would I be? This show is hilarious.” She broke into laughter again, the kind that made her eyes crinkle.

But she didn’t get to watch much more, because Theodore suddenly pulled her into his arms, pressing her head gently against his shoulder. “Emma, when’s Grandma coming back?”

“What’s up with you?” Her heart skipped a beat—did he notice something was off?

“How about the day after tomorrow? I’ve got a few days off, and we can take Grandma on that trip we promised her.” His voice was gentle, earnest.

“Uh… we’ll see. Not sure exactly when she’ll be back.” Emma thought to herself, What are the odds? She and Grandma did have a trip planned, but Theodore wasn’t part of it.

“Which friend is Grandma visiting anyway? Why is she gone for so many days?” There was a hint of wounded pride in his tone.

“Hey, she’s my grandma! Why are you sighing like that?”

“She’s not my grandma too?” Theodore stood up. “Alright, enough teasing. I have to get to the office—big day today.”

Emma only glanced at the TV and burst out laughing again.

“I won’t have time to make you breakfast today. Order something in, okay?” He changed in a hurry and rushed out the door.

Once he was gone, Emma pulled up her phone and sent a video to Grandma. Fortunately, Grandma had just finished breakfast in her hotel’s restaurant and looked lively as ever, which put Emma’s mind at ease.

But she really did need to get up and eat something herself.

With Fallon still in the hospital, the house was completely empty—she didn’t even have any snacks left, aside from a single bag of potato chips.

Even if she didn’t count today, she had two more days’ worth of meals to figure out. If she didn’t want to leave the apartment, she’d need to stock up.

She opened the grocery delivery app and ordered enough food for three days, then got up to wash her face and get dressed.

Emma’s mind spun. Who would want to kidnap her?

She’d been so careful lately. She hadn’t planned to leave the apartment at all, not for the next couple of days—just to make sure nothing went wrong.

But despite all her precautions, today, of all days, something happened. She’d lived in this place for five years without a single incident. Usually, she was much more careless about locking the door than she’d been today.

When they finally dragged her out of the sack, she saw she was inside an unfinished high-rise—an abandoned construction site.

The moment she was out, two men grabbed her, tying her hands and feet with rough rope.

Now she could see clearly: one of them was the delivery guy, still wearing his yellow jacket.

“Stay here!” he barked, shoving her into a corner.

She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t terrified—her whole body was shaking—but fear wouldn’t help her now.

She forced herself to scan her surroundings.

Judging by the height, they must be at least ten stories up. The building was a husk—no windows, no rails. Even if she tried, there was no way she could jump and survive.