Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 398

“No, no, no, don’t say that, Cathie! I gave her the money on my own, I just love spending it carelessly. Ever since we started dating, she’s been the one managing our finances!” Hanley didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed. “Honestly, what’s shameful about it? Cathie says being responsible with money is a virtue. Sure, sometimes I’d like to hang out with Theo and the guys a bit longer, but when Cathie calls me home, it’s just because she wants to spend time together. I’m always busy at work, barely have time for her as it is, so if I stay out late after hours, of course she’s going to complain. I might grumble about it, but she’s not wrong. Even when I’m out having fun, I’m still thinking about her… As for taking clients out to dinner or any legitimate expenses, even if Cathie sees the charges, she doesn’t say a word. She told me she has a right to know about my money—she manages it because she loves me. If a woman doesn’t care what a man does with his life, it just means she doesn’t love him anymore.”

Cecilia stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Are you nuts? Cathie has completely brainwashed you.”

Hanley just sighed. “To be honest, Cici, I used to think like that too. Cathie’s a bit strict, and I always felt like I didn’t have enough freedom. But now, looking at Theo and Jared, I realize Cathie’s right.”

“I don’t know much about how things used to be between Theo and Emma, but I do know Jared and Nita. In the first two years of their marriage, Nita would fight with Jared all the time, cry, make a scene. But then, I watched her stop—no more tears, no more arguments.”

“And Emma—I only started seeing her more this year. She’s cold to Theo, distant. No matter what Theo does with you, no matter how late he comes home, Emma just doesn’t care. That’s what it looks like when someone stops loving you, when they stop caring. And look, both couples are divorced now.”

“When Cathie and I got married, she laid down one rule: ‘The wife is always right.’ I used to think she was just joking, but now I see—it’s gospel truth.”

Hanley went on and on.

Cecilia looked at the tenderness in his eyes and felt a pang of envy.

Of the three, Hanley was always the slowest, the least capable. If it weren’t for Theodore Whitman’s help, he’d never be where he was now. And yet, he treated his wife the best of all of them.

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