Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 354

Theodore simply replied with a curt, “Alright,” and turned back to his office, leaving Cecilia behind.

She managed just a few hesitant steps after him before the sharp slam of his office door echoed down the hallway. Shut out—literally. He hadn’t even let her get a word in.

Cecilia stood outside the closed door, stunned. Was this really Theodore? The same Theodore who used to shower her with affection when she first returned? Her eyes stung, hot tears threatening to spill, yet he hadn’t even noticed. Was this truly him?

His gaze, she realized, no longer lingered on her.

Standing there in the hallway, Cecilia let out a bitter laugh. Men, she thought, always chasing what they can’t have.

—

When Jared walked through the front door that evening, the first thing he saw were two suitcases parked by the entryway.

He figured Nita must have just gotten back and hadn’t unpacked yet. Stepping inside, he called out, “Lucas?”

Lucas shuffled out, dragging his tiny, kid-sized suitcase behind him, with Nita following close behind, her hand wrapped protectively around her son’s and a large canvas bag slung over her shoulder.

Jared frowned, sensing something was off. “Are you just getting back, or are you headed out?”

“We’re leaving,” Nita replied flatly.

“Leaving? Where to?” Jared assumed they were going on a trip. “A little vacation could do you both some good, but I don’t have time to come with you.”

Nita’s expression was unreadable. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Fine, go ahead then,” Jared said, a smug smile curling on his lips. This was exactly the kind of wife he’d trained her to be—obedient and sensible. Unlike Theo and Hanley, whose wives had either divorced them or slapped them in public. Embarrassing.

But Nita just stared at him, her eyes cold and distant. “What I mean is, it won’t be necessary ever again.”

Nita’s eyes finally brimmed with tears. She pulled her son into a tight embrace, took a steadying breath, and said quietly but firmly, “Divorce is the only option for me. If you agree to a mutual split, things will be much simpler. If not, I’ll file for it myself.”

Jared sneered at her. “You learn all the wrong things from people—now you want a divorce too? You really think you can threaten me with this? Nita, do you honestly believe I’m someone you can push around? For what it’s worth, I actually felt a little sorry for you after your mother died. I was going to try and make it up to you. But if this is what you want? Fine. You can have your divorce. But you won’t get a single cent from me.”

Nita had expected nothing less.

She said nothing more, just took Lucas by the hand and headed for the door.

“Nita!”

As she reached the entryway, Jared’s furious shout echoed behind her. “If you walk out that door today, don’t ever think about coming back! Think carefully—don’t you dare regret this!”

Nita didn’t so much as pause. She opened the door, ushered her son outside, grabbed their suitcases, and left—never once looking back.