Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 33

“Yes.” Emma didn’t bother to explain further.

Theodore stepped forward, suddenly so close she could see the fine lines etched around his tired eyes.

Not even thirty, and yet life had already left its marks on him.

“Emma.” He gripped her shoulders, the faint scent of cologne clinging to him. “All these years–haven’t I treated you well?”

As he spoke, exhaustion spilled from the furrow of his brow and the shadows beneath his eyes.

She let out a quiet sigh.

Fine.

She couldn’t deny it—he’d done his best by her. The food, the clothes, the house, the money. He’d spared no expense, not just for her, but for her grandmother, for her whole family. Never a word of complaint.

But Theodore, your kindness–sometimes I wish you’d just given me a check and let me go when my leg was ruined…

“If I’ve never wronged you, how could you be so heartless?” His voice trembled, eyes reddening. “How could you join forces with outsiders to go against me? Isn’t what’s mine also yours? Isn’t my career your career? My money your money? Aren’t we supposed to be a team, Emma?”

Now he remembered they were meant to be a team? Hadn’t he always sided with his brother and with Cecilia, treating her like the outsider?

“Theodore.” Emma took a steadying breath. “So now, finally, you remember we’re married?”

His gaze faltered, the lines of fatigue deepening. “You’re still upset about Cici, aren’t you? She just wanted to help. She knew Mr. Warren only works with people who have stable family lives, so she kept quiet over tea that day. But does that change anything? Am I not still your husband? My name’s right there on our marriage license–city records say so. I’m still your husband, Emma!”

“There’s no need for any of this,” Emma replied, her voice flat.

“No need for what?” He frowned, not understanding what she meant.

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Chapter 33

“No need for anyone to pretend. No need for anyone to play the hero. We just-”

“Shut up!” He guessed where she was headed and cut her off sharply. “You really think if you divorce me, he’ll marry you? Don’t be ridiculous.”

He let go of her shoulders and stormed out.

A gust of wind swept past, carrying with it the lingering notes of his cologne.

But that wasn’t his scent. It was Cecilia’s perfume from earlier tonight.

Emma hated that fragrance. Even in the air, it pressed in, making it hard to breathe.

She turned and went inside.

Back home, she found the bouquet she’d brought in last night smashed on the floor, the vase shattered into pieces.

Fallon wasn’t home.

He really was angry, it seemed.

He was a workaholic–she’d always admitted that. There was no other way he could’ve built such a thriving company before even turning thirty.

He’d put everything on the line for that deal with Mr. Warren. Now it was ruined–and of course he was furious. But was that her fault? Was she the one who’d pretended to be a wife and blown up the partnership?

She crouched to pick up the shards of glass when the door opened and Fallon’s voice called out, “Ma’am, let me handle that.”

Fallon hurried over, worried she’d cut herself.

“I’d just stepped out to pick up some clothes,” she explained. Some things needed. special care, so she’d taken them to a professional cleaner.

After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “I saw Mr. Theodore downstairs just now.”

“Yeah.” Emma’s response was cool. She’d seen him too–she’d watched him leave.

“He’s sitting by the lake, all by himself. I don’t know what he’s doing.”

What could he be doing?

He’d just lost a major deal. Probably needed a moment alone.

“It’s fine, you don’t have to worry.” If this had been before–how worried would she have been?

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Chapter 33

Five years of marriage. Five years she’d stood by Theodore as he built his business from the ground up. She used to worry about him constantly–whether he was tired, whether he was being treated unfairly, whether he’d lose money, whether he’d be disappointed, whether a setback would leave him heartbroken…

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Her heart always followed his.