Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 364

"Theodore, I really don't think there's anything left for us to discuss. You say you won't agree to a divorce—fine, I'll file for it myself. You want to contest the settlement? Fine, we'll let the court decide. We've made everything perfectly clear. What's left to talk about?" Emma looked at the man in front of her, feeling like she was staring at a stranger.

Where was the Theodore who'd always been so cold and distant, who kept her at arm's length, who looked at her with judgment in his eyes, yet always took the side of others over hers?

"Why do you say there's nothing left?" Theodore frowned, emotions flickering in his eyes. "You're the one asking for a divorce. I've just been forced to accept it—I never got to say what I wanted."

Emma suddenly felt exhausted. "Theodore, we've been married five years. When did you ever care about what I wanted? All the indifference you showed me—wasn't that just you making decisions on your own?"

Theodore's expression fell, the light in his eyes dulling. He looked defeated for a moment, but then, as if afraid Emma would get in the car and leave, he straightened up and pressed on, "That's exactly why we need to talk, isn't it? I don't know what you're thinking, and you don't know what I'm thinking. We've both been acting alone. That's why we need to actually communicate, right?"

Emma shook her head quietly. "No, Theodore. Communication only matters if both people still want to make it work. I don't want to be with you anymore, so what's the point in talking?"

"That's not true, Emma." Theodore glanced at Larson, hoping he'd take the hint and give them some privacy, but Larson didn't budge. With no choice, Theodore went on—the urgency in his voice betraying his fear that he might not get another chance, "Emma, I was blind before, I was stupid. You became part of my life a long time ago, I just didn't realize it. Emma, I—"

His eyes burned, his throat tightened. He couldn't get the words out.

Emma looked at him, exasperated. "Theodore, what are you trying to say?"

"I can't live without you, Emma." His voice broke.

Emma let out a short, dry laugh. "Theodore, seems like it doesn't take much to become part of your life."

Theodore was caught off guard by her words, momentarily speechless.

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