Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 5

The over-the-top performance had everyone inside the room howling with laughter. Cecilia, seated right beside Theodore, was laughing so hard she nearly fell against his shoulder.

And yet, Theodore simply sat there, silent.

Jared turned around, grinning. "Hey, Theo, is it really—?"

He didn't even get the last word out before he caught sight of Emma standing in the doorway. His smile froze. "S—Sister-in-law…"

All eyes snapped to the entrance.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Cecilia lifted herself off Theodore's shoulder and beamed. "Oh, so you're the famous Mrs. Theo? Nice to meet you! Come in, I'm an old friend of Theo's."

Emma looked at the crowd—as if the room had dropped ten degrees. The chill settled right into her bones.

At last, Theodore stood up and walked over. "Emma, what are you doing here? They're just joking—don't take it to heart."

She stared at him, feeling as if she were facing a complete stranger. Never had he seemed so unfamiliar. So when others mocked his wife, he chose to stand with them?

"Yeah, s-sorry, sis, it was just a joke. Don't be mad," Jared apologized, putting down his glass.

"Theo, what's wrong?" Cecilia pouted and shot Jared a glare. "You made Theo's wife upset, and you're still not apologizing? You think everyone's like me—thick-skinned enough to take your jokes?"

"What do you want from me, then?" Jared muttered.

Emma didn't even know the answer herself. She only shook her head, refusing to accept it—refusing to accept her husband's friends mocking her, refusing to accept that her husband would take their side.

"That's enough. Everyone, quiet." Theodore stepped forward, positioning himself between her and Jared.

He was the leader of this group. After college, he'd been the one to rally them, building the company from the ground up with his brilliant mind and relentless drive. With him in charge, no one dared say another word.

"Emma," Theodore said, his voice as calm as ever—so different from the warmth she'd seen in his eyes when talking to Cecilia on video. "These are my oldest friends. They didn't mean any harm; it was just a bit of fun. For my sake, could you forgive them? I'll have the driver take you home, all right?"