Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 265

Theodore stood frozen, stunned.

“Theo! You’ve already done more than enough. You’ve repaid everything you owed!” Cecilia’s voice rang out, sharp and insistent. “If you don’t believe me, check the records yourself! Even if you really were the one who hit her with your car, you’ve already paid her more than anyone would for something like that. Not even a real hit-and-run driver would be held to this standard!”

“Is it really over?” Theodore’s words came out distant and hollow, as if he hadn’t quite returned to himself.

“Yes, it’s over! You’ve given enough! Theo, listen to me—Emma saved your life, yes, but no one expects you to sacrifice your whole future to repay her. That’s not what a debt of gratitude is!” Cecilia clutched at his shirt, shaking him. “Theo, snap out of it! You’re brilliant—if Emma hadn’t saved you back then, honestly, she never would’ve been in your league. She never could have married someone like you. You’ve done more than enough! Don’t throw your whole life away out of obligation. Live for yourself now, Theo…”

“Live for myself?” He echoed her words, his eyes losing focus, full of confusion.

“Yes, Theo. Break free from this prison of gratitude. You deserve to spend the rest of your life for yourself, not trapped in misery. You don’t even love her, but you keep forcing yourself to stay. Haven’t you suffered enough?”

Theodore watched the direction Emma had gone, silent for a long time. By now, she was already out of sight.

Emma, meanwhile, barely had a moment to spare. Her day was packed from start to finish—she didn’t have the luxury to worry about what Theodore and Cecilia might be up to.

She returned to her hotel to shower and grab a quick breakfast, then hurried back to the theater to help set up the stage and prep props. The hours flew by. By the time the performers arrived in the afternoon, she was busy wrangling costumes and assisting the makeup crew.

Their troupe only had one night to perform in the city. It wasn’t a full ballet but a showcase, with every group performing a single act. That meant a crowded cast, elaborate sets, complicated props, and a hectic backstage. Makeup was a frenzy; Emma and the other crew barely found time to eat. Finally, when Ms. Brown practically forced everyone to take turns grabbing a few bites, Emma slipped away to the ladies’ room—she’d been holding it for ages.

She never expected to run into Cecilia on her way out.

Emma raised her eyebrows, dumbfounded. She’s seriously here to say this to my face?

Once upon a time, those words might have hurt. Now, Emma just looked her in the eye and replied, “Then maybe you should go back and tell your precious Theo to hurry up and agree to the divorce.”

“You—” Cecilia was so furious she could barely speak. “You think Theo doesn’t want out? He never even wanted to marry you in the first place. If it weren’t for you milking that limp of yours, do you really think you could’ve trapped him this long?”

Again.

Cecilia, just like Jared Hanley and those other jerks, always knew how to jab at her with that old injury. And that was just today—Cecilia had already brought it up twice, and the morning wasn’t even over yet.