" It's a new business partner I just met recently . I'll go say hello . " Theodore gave her a gentle reminder . " Why don't you look around on your own for a bit ? I'll come find you later . " She didn't know any of Theodore's clients anyway . Watching him shake hands with a man not far away , she stood alone , surrounded by the opulence of the mall - yet nothing here really tempted her to buy . " Miss , it's your turn ," a sales associate prompted her . Only then did she realize she'd absentmindedly ended up standing in line at a luxury boutique . " Oh , no , thank you ," she said quickly , stepping away in embarrassment . She wandered aimlessly through the gleaming corridors , her thoughts scattered - until a familiar figure at a high - end watch counter caught her eye . Cecilia . Emma's gaze drifted to the name of the watch brand and something heavy settled in her chest . Almost without thinking , she moved closer to the counter . Cecilia wasn't alone ; Jared was there too , and as Emma drew nearer , their conversation drifted clearly to her ears . " If you like it , you should buy it ," Jared was saying . Cecilia hesitated . " I don't know , this is just too expensive . Even though Theo gave me a secondary card and told me to use it whenever I want , I'd feel guilty spending so much ! " Emma froze , her feet suddenly too heavy to move . Her heart felt just as weighted . A secondary card ... His secondary card ... " If Theo gave it to you , he meant for you to use it . He's not one to say one thing and mean another - trust me , I've known him for years . If he gave you that card , he wanted you to use it . " Jared's voice was reassuring . " I suppose you're right ... " Cecilia started turning her wrist this way and that , showing off the watch to Jared . Emma could see it too . 1/3 11:48 Chapter 12 " What do you think , Jared ? Isn't it gorgeous ? I've loved this model since college . Back then , Theo promised he'd buy it for me when I graduated , but then ... " But then ? A bitter , mocking smile flickered across Emma's lips . Every year , on her birthday and their anniversary , Theodore had given her this exact watch . She'd always thought that even if Theodore didn't love her , at least he remembered her birthday , their anniversary - at least the gifts were thoughtful , or at the very least , expensive . Now she saw the truth . It wasn't that he didn't care , or that he wasn't thoughtful . He cared too much , put in so much effort - just not for her . " All things considered , Theo's finally making good on his promise ," Jared encouraged . " Whatever you want now , you can have . If you like it , he'll buy it . " " So I should just go for it ? " Cecilia's excitement was almost visible . Meanwhile , Theodore had finished exchanging pleasantries with his business contact , who was also here to pick up his wife . When he heard Theodore was shopping with his own wife , he suggested they go say hello . Emma saw Theodore heading her way and quickly ducked behind a marble column . But Cecilia had already spotted him . She waved and called out , " Theo ! I'm over here - come join us ! " From her hiding spot , Emma watched as Theodore and his associate walked right over to Cecilia . Cecilia looped her arm through Theodore's and bounced eagerly . " Theo , I want this watch - can I get it? " " Of course . " Theodore's eyes were so soft , his whole face coming alive in a way Emma had never seen at home , where he was always so distant . " Thank you , Theo ! I'm going to go pay for it now ! " Cecilia flashed the secondary card with a delighted grin . The business contact , witnessing the scene , smiled and said , " Mr. Whitman , Mrs. Whitman - you two make such a lovely couple . It's truly touching . " Mr. Whitman ? Mrs. Whitman ? 2/3 11:48 Chapter 12 Both Theodore and Cecilia looked startled for a moment , but neither corrected him . Chapter 13