" Theodore ... " Her voice broke , and she choked back a sob . He squeezed her hand gently . " Hmm ? Emma ? " His eyes softened with concern . " What's wrong ? Do you want to cry ? If you do , just let it out . Don't hold it in . " His voice was so gentle , impossibly gentle . It reminded her of years ago , when she was wheeled out of surgery , and he and a nurse brought her back to her room . He'd sat at her bedside , speaking to her in that same caring , tender tone that seemed to melt away all the pain . " Emma , does it hurt ? If it does , just cry . Don't force yourself to be strong ... " Back then , she'd believed that kindness as soft as water could be the best medicine for her pain . It had taken her all these years to finally understand - no matter how gentle and attentive a man was , kindness would never turn into love . " Theodore , I want a divorce . " Her voice was barely more than a whisper as she pulled her hand away . The ache in her chest blurred her vision . He frowned , clearly not expecting her to say that . After a brief , heavy silence , he called over a waiter and asked for a clean bowl . Then , without looking at her , he picked out a piece of fish , lowering his head to carefully remove the bones with his fork before speaking in that same low , gentle voice . " Emma , I know you're still upset , but talking about divorce like this isn't rational . If you leave me , what will you do ? How will you manage on your own ? " Emma's breath came quicker , her chest tight . For five years , everyone had seen her as dependent on him . Without Theodore , she was nothing - a pitiful woman no one wanted , someone who couldn't possibly make it on her own . He thought that too . " I can ! " For the first time , she stood her ground . For the first time , she wanted to defend herself , to prove him wrong . He just smiled , as if she were being childish . Placing the deboned fish in front of her , he said , " Eat . I'll let you be upset a little longer , but after dinner , no more sulking . " " I'm not upset . I really do want a divorce ! " How could she make him understand this wasn't some tantrum ? 1/2 11:48 Chapter 11 " Emma . " He put down his fork , his patience wearing thin . " I canceled two meetings and a business lunch to spend the whole day with you . I can't guarantee I'll have this much time tomorrow or the next day . And let me say it again : Cecilia is a good friend of ours , part of my circle - just like Jared and the others . The way I treat her is no different from the way I treat them . She likes you , Emma . She's always wanted to be your friend . But your attitude ... how am I supposed to bring her around if you act like this ? " " Then don't ." Emma didn't believe for a second that Cecilia truly wanted to be her friend . " Emma ! " For the first time , irritation crept into his voice . She knew it would happen - whenever Cecilia was involved , Theodore's temper ran short . " Come on , finish eating . Afterward , we'll go shopping . You can pick out anything you want . Then we'll have dinner at my parents ' place . When was the last time you visited them ? " He kept piling food onto her plate , one dish after another . She decided not to punish herself out of spite . She picked up her fork and ate , determined to take care of herself , no matter what happened between them . There was no need to hurt her own body just to make a point . " That's better , " Theodore said , his tone softening again . " Let's not talk about divorce anymore , okay ? " She paused , then lowered her head and kept eating . After dinner , she didn't want to go shopping , but Theodore insisted . He drove them straight to the mall . In five years of marriage , Theodore had rarely ever gone shopping with her ; in fact , their appearances in public together were few and far between . Even in broad daylight , the mall's lights were dazzling . She felt uneasy , clutching her purse tightly , walking quietly in his shadow . The first floor was lined with luxury boutiques and jewelry counters . " What do you want to buy ? " he asked , turning to look at her . She wanted nothing . All she wanted was to go home . But before she could say a word , someone called out from a distance , " Mr. Whitman ! " 2/2