Chapter 35 Emma had never truly seen Theodore lose control - not like this . From the moment she met him , he'd been as distant and elusive as a misty mountain at dusk , or a stand of untouched pines : always calm , always just out of reach , as if a veil hung between him and the world . Even after their marriage , that air of separation never lifted . But tonight , something had snapped . He was acting nothing like himself - a wildness in his eyes she'd never seen before . Emma stared in shock at the shirt he'd just torn open , the fabric gaping to reveal taut , sculpted muscles . Panic prickled up her spine . " Theodore , what are you doing ? " she demanded , clutching the blanket tightly around her . He glared at her with a ferocity that was almost foreign . " What do you think I'm doing ? " His voice was low , dangerous . " You're my wife . You live under my roof , spend my money , and now you're plotting with someone else against me . What do you think I should do ? " " I didn't- " She had thought there was no point in explaining , but looking at him now , she realized he might really be about to do something reckless . As Theodore's hands went to his belt , Emma , still wrapped in the blanket , scrambled to escape to the other side of the bed . He was faster . In a second , he had her - blanket and all - pinned beneath him again . " Theodore , let me go ! " she yelled , struggling . He acted as if he couldn't hear her . In moments , he'd ripped the blanket away and was tugging at her nightdress . The memory of the last time he'd snapped - drunk and out of control - flashed in her mind . Emma pressed her hands to her neckline , bracing her arms against his chest , but she was no match for his raw , reckless strength . The metal buckle of his belt dug painfully into her side . His grip pried her hands away from her collar , and she cried out , desperation rising . " Theodore ! Stop this right now ! Look at me - do you even know who I am ? " Her pleas fell on deaf ears . 1/2 11:52 Chapter 35 With a sharp rip , her nightdress tore . " Theodore ! " she shrieked , swinging a fist at his head . He caught her wrists easily , pinning them above her . His face hovered over hers , shadowed eyes burning with a feverish light . " What's the point of screaming ? Mrs. Whitman , have I been too good to you these past years ? Too lenient ? Is that why you're so brazen now ? " So , he wasn't completely out of his mind . " Thank you for all your kindness , Mr. Whitman ! " she spat . " Why don't you go give it to Cecilia ? If you're so eager , go lose control with her ! Don't lose your mind here with me ! " His so - called kindness , his five years of cold indifference - she wanted none of it . At the mention of Cecilia , he finally paused . His dark eyes still bored into her , but his body stilled . " You just can't let Cici go , can you ? " he said coldly . " Let me remind you , Mrs. Whitman , jealousy has its limits . Throw a tantrum at home all you want , but if you endanger the company , don't expect my patience to last forever . " " Mr. Whitman ! " she snapped , jaw clenched . " Let's get something straight : First , I'm not jealous . Second , the person threatening your precious company was never me - l haven't even set foot near your boardroom . There's a word for what's happening here : you reap what you sow ! The mess you and your precious Cecilia made - deal with it yourselves ! Don't pin it on me ! And third , whenever Cecilia cries , suddenly your company's not so important anymore . Funny how you never mention profits then ! " Cecilia's notebook was still right there - proof that she'd been willing to take on the world to protect her . Wasn't it written , clear as day ? The sound of Cecilia's name seemed to bring Theodore back to his senses . He finally rolled away from her , starting to fasten his belt again . " Don't worry , " he said , voice clipped . " Like I told you before , you'll always be Mrs. Whitman . Cici's return doesn't threaten your place . But I suggest you calm down ." He straightened his shirt , headed for the door, then paused on the threshold and looked back . " You have tonight to cool off . Tomorrow night , either come back to our bedroom - or I'll sleep in the guest room . " 212 11:52 C