Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 98

Emma sat on the edge of the hospital bed, dazed, a dull ache still lingering in her chest.

She was the one who’d nearly died in that fire, and yet, somehow, all his sympathy was still tipped in Cecilia’s favor–the scales inside him forever balanced for Cecilia, no matter what.

Nothing could compete with Cecilia in his heart.

And now, Emma had nothing left to hesitate over. She went straight to the police station and filed a report.

She recounted everything that had happened at Theodore’s company that day–the fire in the conference room, the fire department’s arrival–facts that left little room for doubt. She handed over the video she’d recorded on her phone, showing the conference room’s wiring slashed open. She also submitted her hospital records confirming the allergic reaction, the angry rash still visible on her face, all clear evidence that she’d had a mango allergy after drinking that juice.

She even provided her call log from when she’d dialed for help in the conference room, including the one call that actually went through–to the reception desk–with the audio recording attached.

As for who cut the wires, who locked the doors–well, there were security cameras in the hallway outside the conference room. She didn’t know if the footage was still intact, but she trusted the police to get to the bottom of it.

Once the report was filed, she took the receipt and went home.

Her ID was finally back in her possession. She rebooked her visa appointment, took her allergy meds, and went to bed early.

She’d ripped out the name Theodore from her heart, once and for all. She couldn’t care less whether he found Cecilia or what he did if he did find her. The police would handle it; she was done.

All she wanted now was to take care of herself.

So much had happened in a single day. Even though she’d walked into the trap by choice, she’d still barely escaped the fire–both her body and her mind were exhausted. She fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow, not even aware when Theodore came home. In fact, if he hadn’t woken her up the next morning, she wouldn’t have known he’d been back at all.

1/3

10:56

Chapter 98

He pulled the curtains open, letting sunlight flood the room, the brightness so sharp she had to squint against it.

Then he sat down beside her, calling her to wake up in that soft, familiar voice of his. “Sleepyhead, are you planning to stay in bed all day? I brought back your favorite pastry for breakfast.”

Emma blinked, confused.

For a second, she wondered if everything that happened yesterday was just a dream.

But Theodore’s next words confirmed it was all real.

“Come here, let me see if your allergy’s any better.” He reached out, trying to gently turn her face toward him.

She turned away, slipped out of bed, and ignored him.

As she brushed her teeth in the bathroom, she mulled over what she’d do today.

With nothing to do but wait for her visa, life suddenly felt strangely empty. She decided she’d go visit her grandma; she’d be leaving soon, and she knew her grandma would miss her.

It was day fifteen of her personal countdown to leaving Theodore.

By the time she finished getting ready, Theodore was already sitting at the dining table.

She’d slept in embarrassingly late; normally, he’d be at work by now. What was he still doing here, having breakfast?

In five years of marriage, she’d never seen him linger over breakfast at home like this.

Since he was there, she decided she wouldn’t eat at home.

She’d grab a coffee downstairs and head to her grandma’s place for a bowl of her favorite homemade noodles. Just thinking about her grandma’s cooking made her stomach rumble.

She packed her bag, stuffing in all the documents she’d need for her visa–better to keep them at her grandma’s for safekeeping. When the time came, she’d leave straight from there.

“Where are you off to? Skipping breakfast?” Theodore called from the table.

“None of your business,” she replied, heading for the door.

2/3

10:57

Chapter 98

“There’s something you like for breakfast,” he insisted, as if that might convince her.

“Ma’am,” Fallon, the housekeeper, greeted her with an unusual note of cheer. “Mr. Whitman went out early this morning to get your favorite pastries. Said you loved them. You never told me you liked them! I could have made them for you. Seems Mr. Whitman really knows you best.”

Emma suddenly understood the reason behind Fallon’s excitement. She was happy for her–Mr. Whitman had finally shown some interest in his wife.

But who knew what had gotten into him today?

“You’re not going to work?” she wanted to ask. What, are you not planning to chase after your darling Cecilia?

Theodore just shrugged. “After all these years, even a workhorse deserves a day off. I’m taking some time off starting today.”

Emma frowned.

Why was he taking time off now? If he was going to be home all day, it’d make her visa errands that much harder.

But then she reconsidered. Who said he’d actually stay home? He never spent a whole day at home on weekends, either.

He stood up and walked toward her, a gentle look in his eyes that she knew all too well. “Why the frown? Is it because I never take time off, never spend time with you?”

For a moment, it was almost like Theodore of the past, before Cecilia had entered the picture. But even then, there hadn’t been much worth holding on to.

“You’re overthinking it,” she said, slipping on her shoes and getting ready to leave.

“Emma, wherever you’re going, let me come with you. At least have breakfast first. Didn’t you want those pastries? I drove half an hour to the next town to get them for you this morning.”

Emma finished tying her shoes and said a simple “Thanks,” but she didn’t stay.

She’d already had her fill of pastries by herself. She didn’t need to share them with him anymore.

Chapter 99

Chapter 99