Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 204

She couldn’t even be bothered to say more at this point. They’d be leaving in just two days, and the last thing she needed was unnecessary complications. No surprises, no drama—nothing that might change the plan.

After a moment’s thought, she finally said, “People have to look forward, you know? You can’t spend your whole life staring back at the past. Otherwise, how do you move on?”

Theodore visibly relaxed, and, in a rare gesture, actually smiled at her. He reached over and ruffled her hair. “I’m glad you think that way. No matter what happens, we’ve got a whole life ahead of us. Staying happy and open-minded—that’s what really matters.”

Emma nodded, though in her mind, what mattered was “staying happy”—not this “whole life together” nonsense. Who said she was spending her life with him?

Theodore pulled out his phone. “I need to take care of some things, but once these next two days are over, I’ll be free. I’ll bring Grandma back, and then we can take that trip!”

As he spoke, Emma’s phone vibrated with a new message.

Theodore had just wired her a hundred grand.

He’d been tossing money around like crazy lately. The more the better, she thought. She quite liked his sudden generosity.

“You should have ten days or so. Think about where you want to go—plan something fun, don’t worry about the cost. We probably don’t have time to go abroad, but a nice island or somewhere relaxing should work. Or if you and Grandma want to go somewhere else, just decide and let me know.”

Emma nodded absentmindedly. Yet another chunk of travel money for her and Grandma—couldn’t complain about that.

But if he’d already sent the money, why was he still here? Why was he still sitting across from her, just staring?

When she looked up, she caught him watching her with an unfamiliar expression.

Before Cecilia came back, Theodore had always been gentle—at least on the surface. But there was something detached about him, as if his kindness was just part of his job description. He never really wanted to be there; he just felt obliged to act the part.

But now, his gentle gaze held something else—an eager satisfaction, almost smug. He looked just like those men in old costume dramas, beaming because their dignified wives and sweet-natured mistresses got along so well. It made her sick.

She tossed it straight into the trash. As if she wasn’t grossed out, too!

“What do you want for dinner? I’ll have my assistant book a restaurant, and I’ll come pick you up myself,” he said, pausing in the doorway to look back at her. “I’ll come personally.”

“Whatever,” she replied, sprawling out on the sofa. Without him hogging the space, it finally felt comfortable. Pick her up personally? Like she should be grateful for that?

“I’ll choose something, then.” He grabbed his car keys and left.

As soon as Theodore was out the door, Emma began pondering how, exactly, she should handle the divorce. Should she bring it up in the next couple of days and get it done at city hall before she left? Or should she just leave a note making her intentions clear, disappear for a month, and sort it out when she came back?

Honestly, she didn’t really get it. She’d brought up the D-word so many times, but not once had he agreed. Couldn’t Cecilia work a little harder? Maybe if she managed to get pregnant, this jerk would finally go marry her and get out of Emma’s life once and for all.

Ugh. What a headache...