Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

After she finished speaking, she looked down at Theodore and said, “Sorry, Mr. Whitman. I didn’t realize, but… is this coffee really that bad? You haven’t touched a drop. So, which is more bitter–your life, or this coffee?”

Clang. The sound of a spoon clattering into a bowl came from Theodore’s brother at

the table.

Emma’s comment made it clear she’d overheard everything they’d just been gossiping about.

“Oh? Hanley, can’t even hold onto your spoon? Did I startle you all? Sorry about that. I’ll leave you to your meal, then.” With a soft smile, Emma turned and began to walk out of the dining room, step by step.

Behind her, the clatter of plates and silverware mingled with Cecilia’s tearful plea. “Jared, stop it. Don’t do anything stupid. Think about Theo for once, will you? Can’t we just try to see things from his perspective for a change? Let me go. Please–let me talk to her.”

“Emma!” Cecilia called after her.

Emma, with her limp, didn’t get far before Cecilia caught up.

Standing in front of her, Cecilia said nothing at first–she just broke into tears. “Emma, I’m so sorry. Last night was my fault. I shouldn’t have asked Theo to leave. I was just so scared. You can’t imagine… I’ve been through things you wouldn’t believe. I had a nightmare last night–I know it was wrong, I know I messed up. If you need to blame someone, blame me. If you want to throw water at someone, throw it at me. Please, just don’t be angry at Theo, okay?”

Theodore, who’d been sitting quietly, immediately got up and followed when Cecilia chased after Emma.

Now, with Cecilia finished crying, Emma found herself face–to–face with both of them. Theodore’s gaze was intense, protective. “Emma, Cici meant no harm. If you’re upset, take it out on me.”

Emma almost laughed. In fact, it was all she could do not to. There was something both ridiculous and heartbreaking about it.

She hadn’t even said a word to Cecilia, let alone done anything. Yet here was Theodore, defending her as if she were under attack. If only he could defend her like

this in front of his friends, maybe those so–called pals of his wouldn’t get away with

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Chapter 83

talking about her behind her back.

She couldn’t help it–she laughed out loud, shaking her head. “I’m not angry. I’m not blaming anyone. Really, you’re both overthinking this.”

Cecilia and Theodore froze, all their rehearsed apologies suddenly useless.

“Emma,” Theodore tried to regroup. “I know you’re just saying that, but Cici really did have a nightmare last night. She cried for hours…”

Emma grabbed a few napkins from the empty table nearby and pressed them into Cecilia’s hands, flashing her a bright smile. “I know. I heard her crying. Of course you should’ve gone to comfort her–she was scared. I wasn’t. It’s alright, really. Cici, help him clean up, would you? I’ll be on my way.”

The tension in the air grew thick again.

Cecilia stared after Emma, who was already turning to leave, then glanced helplessly at Theodore. It was like punching a pillow–no resistance, no reaction.

What was that supposed to mean?

She hadn’t even finished her performance.

Theodore was stunned too. Lately, Emma seemed almost too calm when dealing with

him and Cecilia.

“Oh, come on. She’s doing this on purpose,” someone muttered at the table. “It’s classic reverse psychology. She acts like she doesn’t care, so you’ll chase after her. I’ve had a few exes pull the same stunt–pretending to be fine, and when I finally break up with them, they fall apart, threaten all kinds of crazy stuff just to get me back. Women can be so dramatic sometimes, I swear.”

Chapter 84