Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 6

"Emma…" Cecilia pouted and sidled up to Theodore, clinging to his arm. "If you're really upset, take it out on me, okay? Don't ignore Theo because of this. He only organized this little get-together because I'm back in town… Theo, why don't you ask your wife to stay for dinner? I'll even raise a glass to her and apologize."

What a delightful little performance. The innocent act, the self-sacrifice—Cecilia played it to perfection.

Emma fixed her gaze on Theodore. She knew exactly why Cecilia dared speak this way: he let her. She pressed down the bitterness in her chest and forced a brittle smile. "Sorry, but I don't drink. Especially not anything with a hint of tea."

Cecilia's eyes filled with tears in an instant. She turned to Theodore, voice trembling. "Theo, is she… is she insulting me? I…" She bit her lip and looked as if she might weep at any moment. "It's fine, really. Emma must have misunderstood me. I don't mind her saying a few things about me, just don't be upset with her…"

Theodore's face hardened. "Emma, Cici's just trying to be nice. Was it really necessary for you to be so sharp?"

Trying to be nice? Only a fool would believe that.

Was Theodore a fool? No. He was simply choosing sides.

His heart decided what was right and what was wrong.

Emma looked at the pair in front of her, at the others clustered behind them, and realized just how impossibly wide the gulf was between them and her. They were all on the same team—tight-knit, unbreakable. She was just an outsider who'd wandered into their world. No, not even that. She'd never even made it through the door. She'd always been on the fringe, superfluous and unwelcome.

She fought back tears and let out the softest, bitterest laugh, then turned and walked out.

Behind her, Cecilia's voice piped up, "Theo, Emma—"

"It's fine. She's always been sensible. I'll speak to her when we get home. Come on, everyone, let's not let this ruin the evening." Theodore barely glanced back at Emma's retreating figure, but quietly texted his driver to go after her.

Jared, who'd already felt uneasy, seized the opportunity. "Theo, your wife's got a temper—no one else would put up with it. With your status, your reputation, any woman would be grateful just to be with you, and here she is giving you the cold shoulder. You're way too tolerant."

Theodore said nothing.

The others chimed in to support Jared. "Jared's right. You've done so much for her, for your family—working your tail off out there—and she doesn't appreciate it? She gives you attitude over something so trivial? Is she even worth it?"

"Exactly. Marrying you was the best thing that could've happened to her. Let's be real—if not for you, with her leg like that, who else would want her? If you left, she'd be lucky to find someone who'd even accept her."

Their laughter was sharp as knives, and not a single person thought to defend her.