There is no greater happiness in this world than having weathered every storm , only to find someone still there to spoil you like a child . Thank you for staying , my prince . So this was Theodore's surprise . And what a surprise it was - almost too much to take in . She and Theodore had only ever gone to the grocery store together once , shortly after they got married . It had been a rare weekend when he was actually home . Desperate to create some sense of warmth and togetherness , she'd suggested a trip to the store . Back then , she'd truly believed in the dream of a happy marriage : three meals a day , four seasons together , shopping side by side , coming home together , sharing a drink as the sun set , greeting each dawn and dusk as a couple . But that kind of happiness was just a beautiful dream . The only time they went shopping together , they ran into someone Theodore knew - an older acquaintance , she thought , though she wasn't sure . The person called out his name as they approached . Theodore's first reflex was to step away from her , putting distance between them . The acquaintance greeted him casually : " Theo , shopping for groceries ? " He answered , " Yeah , just picking up a few things on my own . " On my own ... Those words pierced her marriage like another sharp little needle . She stood there , alone , holding onto a shopping cart so full it was almost overflowing . Meanwhile , Theodore drifted away , chatting with his friend , getting further and further from her . If she hadn't been blocking the aisle and another shopper hadn't politely asked her to move , she might never have snapped out of her daze - never figured out how to swallow that brand - new hurt . As she pushed the cart aside in a hurry , still not used to her limp , she lost her balance . She toppled over , taking the cart with her . She couldn't even get up ; the pain was too much . It was a little girl and her mother who hurried over to help , picking up the groceries one by one and putting them back 1/2 11:49 Chapter 20 into the cart . The child reached out with her tiny , gentle hand , trying to help her up , whispering softly , " Don't cry , big sister . I'll make it better , just like I do for my dolls . " With their help , she managed to stand . She barely held herself together , biting back tears with everything she had . By the time Theodore came back to find her , she had already composed herself , as if nothing had happened . After that , she never went to the store with him again . Every time another bubble of happiness burst , another needle lodged itself somewhere deep inside her - a pain she'd have to learn to live with , to bury in just the right place , so that maybe , eventually , it wouldn't hurt so much . Now , looking at the photo of Cecilia sitting in the shopping cart , grinning , being spoiled like a child , Emma felt that familiar stab - a needle caught in her throat , like a fishbone she could neither cough up nor swallow down . Cecilia's post had only gone up half an hour ago , but it already had a flood of comments . Curious , Emma tapped to read them , only to find most were harsh criticisms . " Aren't you a little old for this ? Have some dignity . " " Those shoes are filthy ! Other people have to use those carts for their food . Just thinking about it is gross . " " Does she really think she's cute ? My God . Keep your lovey - dovey stuff at home , will you ? " For once , the comment section was unanimous . Just then , Emma heard the front door open , followed by a wave of noise and excited voices . A whole crowd had arrived , and the loudest of all was Cecilia . " Oh wow ! Theo ! This sofa ! These windows ! That dining table ! The chandelier ! And this rug ! It's all gorgeous ! " " Theo , you actually remembered how we talked about decorating our new place ! You turned it into your home ? Theo ! " " This space is huge ! Theo , I told you a big loft would be beautiful ! You wanted a house in the suburbs , remember ? See , the loft is way better , isn't it ? " 2/2 11:49 Chapter 21 Chapter 21