hapter 16 Chapter 16 Theodore actually bent down and gently blew on her wound . " We'll put something on it in a bit , so it doesn't scar . " Emma had never seen that look in Theodore's eyes before . Even when she'd been in the car accident - her body battered , one leg ruined , scars everywhere - Theodore had never shown her this kind of instinctive , bone - deep tenderness . He'd asked her gently if she was in pain . Told her it was okay to cry if it hurt . But that hadn't been out of love . It was guilt . He'd never once cradled her injuries with genuine care . Faced with her scars , he had always chosen to avoid them , to look away , to pretend he didn't see . " I'm really fine , it doesn't even hurt ! " Cecilia chimed in , her voice sweet and bright . " Emma . " Theodore looked up at her . " Look how mature Cici is . Don't you think you owe her an apology ? " " Why should I apologize to her ? " At some point , pain had welled up in Emma's eyes , blurring her vision . She could barely make out Theodore's face anymore . " Because she claims to be my husband's wife ? And I'm supposed to say sorry for that ? " " Emma ! What's gotten into you - why are you being so bitter ? " Theodore's voice rose , frustration clear . " Cici already explained , didn't she ? Mr. Warren misunderstood , and for the sake of the business deal , we just went along with it ! Why can't you let this go ? " He was angry again . Every time she " offended " his precious Cici , anger was always his first response . Emma just shook her head with a hollow smile . " No , Theodore , you've got it wrong . I don't want to hold on to anything . I didn't even call you out in front of everyone . This Mrs. Whitman role - you can give it to whoever wants it . I already told you I wanted a divorce , so why don't you just agree ? Then everything will be clear for everyone . " She hadn't exposed them right away because there was no point . She was determined to leave anyway ; why bother making things even messier for herself ? Did she really want to spend the rest of her life explaining to friends and colleagues what had happened between her and these two ? It just wasn't worth it . 1/2 11:49 Chapter 16 " Emma ! Your temper is getting more and more outrageous ! " Theodore's anger flared . " There's a limit to these tantrums . Apologize to Cici , right now ! " " I won't ! " Emma spun on her heel , intending to leave . " Stop ! " Theodore lunged forward and grabbed her arm . " Where do you think you're going ? You shoved Cici , she cut her arm , and you won't even apologize ? Where do you think you're going ? " Emma stared at the hand clamped around her wrist . Despair washed over her , swelling like a tide . She looked into his eyes and replied , each word biting , " That's right . I only lost the use of a leg , but she - she got a scratch on her hand . " She saw a sharp flash of pain in Theodore's eyes . His grip loosened . He stumbled back two steps . The moment she was free , Emma turned and ran for the elevator . She was running - no matter how pitiful she looked , she didn't care . She could not , would not , let Theodore see the tears streaming down her face . From the moment she'd been injured , through the wedding , through five years of marriage , this was the first time she'd ever used her leg against him as a weapon . Before , she'd always tiptoed around his feelings, careful with every word and action , terrified of making him feel guilty , worried he'd blame himself , anxious that he might actually care . She never mentioned her leg , never brought up that accident five years ago , not even when she was the subject of cruel gossip and cold stares . She swallowed it all , buried it deep inside , and carried on alone . All she'd ever wanted was to give him a warm , loving , peaceful home . All she'd ever hoped for was that , with time , her love for him would finally blossom into something beautiful . How foolish she'd been ... 2/2