Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Emma was at her wit’s end. Honestly, she didn’t want the title of “Mrs. Whitman” anymore–if she ever truly had. “Theodore, why are you so obsessed with making me your wife in this house? I don’t need to be Mrs. Whitman forever. Why not have Cecilia threaten my spot for once, huh? Would that make you happy?”

Theodore paused in the hallway, a mocking smile flickering across his lips. He clearly thought she was just being dramatic again. Without another word, he disappeared into the master bathroom to shower.

Emma, still flushed from the earlier scene, realized she was sweating all over. She took another shower herself, changed into a fresh T–shirt, and tried to get some

sleep.

A heavy rainstorm rolled in that night, drumming steadily against the windows. The sound made for a soothing kind of white noise, and with the sudden drop in temperature, Emma soon drifted off.

She woke naturally the next morning, surprised to see it was already nine o’clock. Even more surprising–Theodore was still home, chatting with Fallon in the hallway instead of rushing off to work like the obsessive professional he usually was.

After giving Fallon a few last instructions, Theodore finally left, and only then did Emma get out of bed.

While she was picking at her breakfast, Fallon came over with a message. “Ma’am, Mr. Whitman said he’ll be back soon. He wants to take you to visit your parents together when he returns, so please wait for him.”

Emma stared at her bowl of oatmeal, suddenly losing any appetite. When had she agreed to visit her parents? She certainly didn’t want to go.

But she couldn’t take out her frustration on Fallon–Fallon was just the messenger, and she’d always been good to her.

With a sigh, Emma set her spoon aside, deciding she was done eating.

“Ma’am…” Fallon hesitated, clearly wanting to say something more.

“What else did he say?” Emma asked, more than a little exasperated. Was Theodore being extra chatty today or what?

“Nothing…” Fallon looked uncomfortable, fidgeting. “It’s just… I’m not sure I should bring this up…”

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Chapter 36

Emma sighed, softening her tone. “Go ahead, Fallon.”

“Please don’t be upset with me, ma’am. I’m just speaking from experience, but… well, intimacy is important in a marriage. Since Mr. Whitman is reaching out, maybe… maybe if you two had a child, things would get better between you?”

Fallon’s words were awkward, even a little out of line.

But Fallon had been with her for five years, always treating her with kindness. Emma knew she meant well, so she simply replied, “Thank you, Fallon, but things between Theodore and me are more complicated than that. Please, let’s not bring this up again.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, ma’am.” Fallon looked flustered, clearly regretting her words.

Emma’s phone buzzed on the table. She picked up–delivery call.

“There are two packages–one large box, and one envelope,” the courier said.

An envelope? She perked up immediately–it had to be her IELTS results!

“Come on up,” she said, quickly buzzing the courier in.

Sure enough, one envelope contained her test score. The big box was the set of clothes she’d ordered for Theodore last month.

Just as she finished signing for the packages and was about to close the door, the elevator chimed open. Theodore stepped out.

“What’s that?” he asked, eyeing the parcels.

Emma hurriedly tucked the envelope with her test results behind her back, trying to look casual. “Your new clothes.”

He seemed pleased with that answer, and as he stepped inside, he ruffled her hair–a gesture that almost seemed to say, *That’s more like it.*

She kept twisting around, doing her best to keep the envelope out of sight.

“Aren’t you going to open it and let me try them on?” he asked, surprised she was still standing frozen by the door.

Open it? If she started opening packages, he’d get curious–and her own delivery would be exposed.

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