" Yes . " Emma didn't bother to explain further . Theodore stepped forward , suddenly so close she could see the fine lines etched around his tired eyes . Not even thirty , and yet life had already left its marks on him . " Emma . " He gripped her shoulders , the faint scent of cologne clinging to him . " All these years - haven't I treated you well ? " As he spoke , exhaustion spilled from the furrow of his brow and the shadows beneath his eyes . She let out a quiet sigh . Fine . She couldn't deny it - he'd done his best by her . The food , the clothes , the house , the money . He'd spared no expense , not just for her , but for her grandmother , for her whole family . Never a word of complaint . But Theodore , your kindness - sometimes I wish you'd just given me a check and let me go when my leg was ruined ... " If I've never wronged you , how could you be so heartless ? " His voice trembled , eyes reddening . " How could you join forces with outsiders to go against me ? Isn't what's mine also yours ? Isn't my career your career ? My money your money ? Aren't we supposed to be a team , Emma ? " Now he remembered they were meant to be a team ? Hadn't he always sided with his brother and with Cecilia , treating her like the outsider ? " Theodore . " Emma took a steadying breath . " So now , finally , you remember we're married ? " His gaze faltered , the lines of fatigue deepening . " You're still upset about Cici , aren't you ? She just wanted to help . She knew Mr. Warren only works with people who have stable family lives , so she kept quiet over tea that day . But does that change anything ? Am I not still your husband ? My name's right there on our marriage license - city records say so . I'm still your husband , Emma ! " " There's no need for any of this ," Emma replied , her voice flat . " No need for what ? " He frowned , not understanding what she meant . 1/3 11:52 Chapter 33 " No need for anyone to pretend . No need for anyone to play the hero . We just- " " Shut up ! " He guessed where she was headed and cut her off sharply . " You really think if you divorce me , he'll marry you ? Don't be ridiculous . " He let go of her shoulders and stormed out . A gust of wind swept past , carrying with it the lingering notes of his cologne . But that wasn't his scent . It was Cecilia's perfume from earlier tonight . Emma hated that fragrance . Even in the air , it pressed in , making it hard to breathe . She turned and went inside . Back home , she found the bouquet she'd brought in last night smashed on the floor , the vase shattered into pieces . Fallon wasn't home . He really was angry , it seemed . He was a workaholic - she'd always admitted that . There was no other way he could've built such a thriving company before even turning thirty . He'd put everything on the line for that deal with Mr. Warren . Now it was ruined - and of course he was furious . But was that her fault ? Was she the one who'd pretended to be a wife and blown up the partnership ? She crouched to pick up the shards of glass when the door opened and Fallon's voice called out , " Ma'am , let me handle that . " Fallon hurried over, worried she'd cut herself . " I'd just stepped out to pick up some clothes , " she explained . Some things needed . special care , so she'd taken them to a professional cleaner . After a moment's hesitation , she added , " I saw Mr. Theodore downstairs just now . " " Yeah . " Emma's response was cool . She'd seen him too - she'd watched him leave . " He's sitting by the lake , all by himself . I don't know what he's doing . " What could he be doing ? He'd just lost a major deal . Probably needed a moment alone . " It's fine , you don't have to worry . " If this had been before - how worried would she have been ? 2/3 11:52 Chapter 33 Five years of marriage . Five years she'd stood by Theodore as he built his business from the ground up . She used to worry about him constantly - whether he was tired , whether he was being treated unfairly , whether he'd lose money , whether he'd be disappointed , whether a setback would leave him heartbroken ... Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Her heart always followed his .