Chapter 36 Emma was at her wit's end . Honestly , she didn't want the title of " Mrs. Whitman " anymore - if she ever truly had . " Theodore , why are you so obsessed with making me your wife in this house ? I don't need to be Mrs. Whitman forever . Why not have Cecilia threaten my spot for once , huh ? Would that make you happy ? " Theodore paused in the hallway , a mocking smile flickering across his lips . He clearly thought she was just being dramatic again . Without another word , he disappeared into the master bathroom to shower . Emma , still flushed from the earlier scene , realized she was sweating all over . She took another shower herself , changed into a fresh T - shirt , and tried to get some sleep . A heavy rainstorm rolled in that night , drumming steadily against the windows . The sound made for a soothing kind of white noise , and with the sudden drop in temperature , Emma soon drifted off . She woke naturally the next morning , surprised to see it was already nine o'clock . Even more surprising - Theodore was still home , chatting with Fallon in the hallway instead of rushing off to work like the obsessive professional he usually was . After giving Fallon a few last instructions , Theodore finally left , and only then did Emma get out of bed . While she was picking at her breakfast , Fallon came over with a message. " Ma'am , Mr. Whitman said he'll be back soon . He wants to take you to visit your parents together when he returns , so please wait for him . " Emma stared at her bowl of oatmeal , suddenly losing any appetite . When had she agreed to visit her parents ? She certainly didn't want to go . But she couldn't take out her frustration on Fallon - Fallon was just the messenger , and she'd always been good to her . With a sigh , Emma set her spoon aside , deciding she was done eating . " Ma'am ... " Fallon hesitated , clearly wanting to say something more . " What else did he say ? " Emma asked , more than a little exasperated . Was Theodore being extra chatty today or what ? " Nothing ... " Fallon looked uncomfortable , fidgeting . " It's just ... I'm not sure I should bring this up ... " 1/2 11:52 Chapter 36 Emma sighed , softening her tone . " Go ahead , Fallon . " " Please don't be upset with me , ma'am . I'm just speaking from experience , but ... well , intimacy is important in a marriage . Since Mr. Whitman is reaching out , maybe ... maybe if you two had a child , things would get better between you ? " Fallon's words were awkward , even a little out of line . But Fallon had been with her for five years , always treating her with kindness . Emma knew she meant well , so she simply replied , " Thank you , Fallon , but things between Theodore and me are more complicated than that . Please , let's not bring this up again . " " Yes , of course . I'm sorry , ma'am . " Fallon looked flustered , clearly regretting her words . Emma's phone buzzed on the table . She picked up - delivery call . " There are two packages - one large box , and one envelope , " the courier said . An envelope ? She perked up immediately - it had to be her IELTS results ! " Come on up ," she said , quickly buzzing the courier in . Sure enough , one envelope contained her test score . The big box was the set of clothes she'd ordered for Theodore last month . Just as she finished signing for the packages and was about to close the door , the elevator chimed open . Theodore stepped out . " What's that ? " he asked , eyeing the parcels . Emma hurriedly tucked the envelope with her test results behind her back , trying to look casual . " Your new clothes . " He seemed pleased with that answer , and as he stepped inside , he ruffled her hair - a gesture that almost seemed to say , * That's more like it . * She kept twisting around , doing her best to keep the envelope out of sight . " Aren't you going to open it and let me try them on ? " he asked , surprised she was still standing frozen by the door . Open it ? If she started opening packages , he'd get curious - and her own delivery would be exposed . 212 11:53