Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 256

The heated argument came to a sudden halt.

After a long pause, Theodore finally spoke in a low voice. “Emma, those Bennetts—none of them care for you the way I do.”

Emma felt a sting behind her eyes, but managed a faint smile.

He wasn’t wrong. The Bennett name had never given her any real strength, not even the upper hand in a fight with him.

“But Theodore,” she replied softly, “how could I mourn what I’ve never truly had?”

Of course, she’d never really possessed Theodore either. But at least, for a while, she’d held on to hope.

“Theodore.” She didn’t want to digress further. Steering the conversation back to the two of them, she said, “I’ve told you so many times before—this isn’t out of spite, and I’m not threatening you. I just want something different for my life. For the rest of my days, I want happiness. And I want the same for you.”

At that moment, the evening breeze in Venice was still thick with Mediterranean warmth, mingled with the damp scent of the canals. The air was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Theodore’s brow furrowed deeply as he stared at her, as if she were a stranger. Some emotion flickered in his eyes, tightly restrained.

“Go home and read the divorce terms carefully. Let’s discuss this seriously, Theodore. Please, stop following me.” With that, Emma turned and walked toward Sebastian and Serena.

Both of them, worried Emma might get the short end of the stick, hurried over and each took her by an arm, leading her away from Theodore in the opposite direction.

With the big performance looming tomorrow, Sebastian and the others took advantage of tonight’s relative calm to wander the winding streets and alleys of Venice.

Serena was eager to buy a Venetian mask, so the four of them browsed shop after shop, comparing options.

Emma picked out a Queen of Hearts mask, while Sebastian chose a Dark Knight.

Once everyone had made their choices, they posed outside for a group selfie in their masks. As they huddled together, Emma suddenly noticed something odd in the reflection on Serena’s phone—a pair of figures appeared in the screen.

The alley was narrow, crowded with tourists, and Theodore stood planted in the middle of the path, blocking the way.

He didn’t move. He just kept his gaze fixed on Emma.

At his side, Cecilia glanced between Theodore and the group opposite, then suddenly let out a laugh. “Oh wow, Emma! I didn’t even recognize you! It was only the limp that gave you away.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Sebastian’s hand shot out and slapped her.

Cecilia shrieked, diving into Theodore’s arms, a bright red mark blooming on her cheek. “What the hell is wrong with you? You hit a woman? Have you no shame?”

Theodore instinctively shielded her, shooting Sebastian a venomous glare. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Mr. Whitman.” Sebastian’s tone was icy. “Whether I’m crazy or not doesn’t matter. What matters is, as far as I know, you and Emma are still married, aren’t you? So what exactly is this scene supposed to mean? Do you plan to join forces with some homewrecker and gang up on your own wife?”