Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 302

“I know. Didn’t you already tell me?”

“She still wants a divorce.”

The office fell into a hush so deep you could hear a pin drop.

But it didn’t last long before Jared spoke up. “If she wants out, let her go. It’s not your fault, Theo. You tried to make it work. If she insists on leaving, maybe it’s a relief for you, too.”

“A relief?” Theodore repeated, the words tasting hollow in his mouth, his eyes unfocused.

“Yeah, a relief.” Jared pressed on. “This marriage was never what you wanted. You only married her because you had no real choice back then. You sacrificed your own happiness. You’ve been miserable for five years. Now that she’s asking for a divorce, why not just go with it?”

Theodore’s face darkened, jaw set.

Jared eyed him. “Don’t tell me you’re actually reluctant now?”

Theodore stayed silent.

“Theo…” Jared let out a sigh. “Look, I get it. You’ve lived together for five years. No one comes out of that with no feelings at all. Even if you’d just had a dog for that long, you’d be attached. And she’s a real person. But you have to remember, forced love never lasts. Time will help you let go. And the thing is, you’re not the one leaving her—she’s the one who wants to end things.”

“Enough,” Theodore muttered, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head, as if to clear it.

“Alright, alright, I’ll drop it. Come on, let’s go grab a drink,” Jared said, reaching for his arm.

Theodore didn’t budge. “Not tonight. You guys go ahead.”

“What? You can’t do that! You’re the heart of the group—without you, it’s not the same!”

But Theodore just closed his eyes, exhaustion written all over his face. “I really can’t. I promised her.”

“Promised who?” Jared frowned, not sure who he meant.

Emma frowned a little. Why the formal warning? If he was coming up, he could just come up—what was the point of asking?

“What’s wrong?” Larson noticed her expression.

She handed him her phone so he could read the message.

“This Fallon…who is that? Can we trust them?” Larson asked.

Emma nodded. “She’s been looking after me for five years.”

“I’ll go down and check,” Larson said.

Emma hurried after him. “I’ll come too.” She figured it was the perfect chance to make things clear with Theodore—she really didn’t want any more drama.

Larson thought about it and agreed. With him by her side, what could possibly go wrong?