He'd broken his vow and started drinking again . It was obvious - even through the phone , Emma could tell he was a little drunk.- But Theodore , shouting like that ? It was hard to imagine . In Emma's memory , Theodore had always been the aloof genius in high school - composed and focused , never letting his guard down , not even when girls on the track team tried to hand him a water bottle . He'd ignore them as if he hadn't even heard . Later , as her husband, Theodore was unfailingly polite , his emotions so well - regulated they hardly registered at all . He never smiled , never lost his temper . He was always distant , so much so that when Emma's fingers brushed against his , she sometimes wondered if he even ran warm . But now , in the video , the camera panned across a group of faces until it landed on Theodore - flushed , eyes shining , raising his glass and laughing out loud . " Welcome home , Cici ! " he cheered into the camera . So he could laugh . He could be passionate . He could call a girl by a nickname . Just not with her . He never smiled at Emma , never spoke to her with that warmth , never gave her a pet name . " Ma'am , should we get up now ? " Fallon's voice called from outside the bedroom . Emma's days followed a strict routine . If she wasn't up yet , Fallon worried she might need help - it was no secret that Emma's leg wasn't what it used to be . Emma put her phone down . " I'm up . I'll be right out . " Her voice came out rough and tight , catching in her throat . Fallon had made steamed buns for breakfast , but Emma could barely finish one . " What would you like for lunch and dinner ? " Fallon asked , handing her a glass of milk . " Anything's fine , just- " Emma almost said , " Just make whatever Theodore likes , " as she always did . But she caught herself and fell silent . Fallon understood , though ; it was the same conversation every day . She answered 1/3 11:46 Chapter 3 gently , " Sir said he won't be home for meals today . He has an event . " Emma nodded . Of course he wouldn't be home for dinner . She'd already seen it on Twitter : Cecilia had posted a chart listing who was taking her out and where she'd be eating for the next week . " Nothing beats the old friendships from school . I'm such a lucky girl , so many doting big brothers ! " Emma spent her days studying foreign languages and reading up on art theory - two hours for one , a few more for the other . If she didn't keep herself busy , how was she supposed to get through these endless hours ? Was she really expected to spend her whole life just waiting for someone to come home ? She'd done it before , after all . Waiting was agony . But today was different . She had things to do . Her offer letter had come with the last round of university admissions , and she had to confirm her acceptance quickly . So , the first thing on her to - do list was to pay the confirmation fee . When the bank notification popped up on her phone , she let out a long breath . She was one step closer to leaving Theodore behind . Toward evening , she changed her clothes and got ready to go out . Fallon looked surprised . " Ma'am , are you going somewhere ? " Emma almost never left the house without Theodore . " Oh , a college friend is performing nearby and invited me to catch up ," she lied . In truth , she was planning to stay at a hotel near the test center . Her IELTS exam was tomorrow morning , and she didn't want to risk getting stuck in traffic and being late . She'd taken the exam a few months ago but hadn't scored as well as she'd hoped . Still , the application deadline had come , so she'd submitted her forms anyway , not expecting to be accepted . When the offer came , she quickly scheduled another test . Fortunately , the school would let her update her scores . 2/3 11:46 Chapter 3 " But ... " Fallon glanced at Emma's leg . " Let me come with you , just in case ? " " No need . It's just a girls ' night . Another person would be awkward ," Emma replied , her face expressionless . " Then I'll let Sir know you're heading out , " Fallon said , genuinely anxious about Emma's safety . " That's not necessary . Let him enjoy his night out . I'll call him myself after I meet my friend - he can pick me up then , " Emma replied , grabbing her purse and heading for the door . Because of her leg , Theodore had chosen a spacious single - level apartment for them ; Emma just needed to take the elevator down to the lobby . But as soon as she stepped into the sunlight , she instinctively lowered her head , pulling her body in tight . She put on her hat and turned up her collar . Since her injury , the confident , radiant Emma who once owned the stage had vanished . The Emma with a limp no longer had the courage to stand in the public eye . Fallon always said she should go out with Theodore or her for company . Chapter 4