Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 279

“What kind of nonsense is that!” Theodore frowned, clearly annoyed by the conversation.

“I’m serious,” Jared insisted. “Business isn’t just numbers and contracts, Theo. Sometimes you have to believe in fate. You and Emma were never compatible. Ever since you married her, has anything truly good happened to you?”

Theodore barely paid attention. “Stop it. When did the company go public? Wasn’t it after I got married?”

“That’s not the same thing,” Jared pressed. “Timing matters. When luck is on your side, you can outweigh her negative influence. But luck shifts. If she keeps draining yours, you’ll end up with nothing but misfortune. I actually consulted Father Benedict about this. Why do you think nothing’s gone right for us this year? That’s the reason.”

Seeing Theodore still unconvinced, Jared kept going. “Think about it—why do people say ‘a good wife makes a prosperous home’? When Emma wasn’t fighting you every step of the way, everything went smoothly. But whenever there’s conflict, your luck nosedives. ‘Happy families, happy lives’—our ancestors knew what they were talking about!”

“Enough,” Theodore cut him off, standing abruptly. “You keep an eye on things at the office. I need to head out.” Without waiting for a reply, he strode out, already dialing his driver. “Did you check Stonehaven? Was Grandma at home? What about my father-in-law’s place? They’re both gone too?”

Jared hurried after him, catching only that last part.

He quickly turned back to his office and called Cecilia Chambers. “Cici, just a heads-up—Theo might know Emma’s grandmother is missing. Be careful not to let anything slip.”

Jared’s expression softened. “There’s also Theo.”

“Theo…” Cecilia’s voice cracked. “Theo is wonderful, but there’s always Emma between us. He doesn’t love her, but his sense of responsibility is too strong. He feels responsible for Emma, for her grandmother… He carries so much on his shoulders, he can never give all of himself to me.”

“Cici, he doesn’t have a choice…”

“I know. And I love him for that, too. If he weren’t so responsible, I wouldn’t love him. But Jared, it’s hard loving someone like that. Only you—you’re the one who truly moves me…”