Theodore was always saying she should stay home if he couldn't go out with her . He acted like he was doing her a favor , as if the world was just too dangerous for her to handle alone . But none of them knew the truth.- What she feared most was going out with Theodore . The idea terrified her even more than being on her own . Because every single person who saw them together had the same question in their eyes : How could a man like that end up with a crippled wife ? She ordered a cab and gave the driver the address of the hotel . As the car sped through the city , she stared blankly out the window , her thoughts a tangled mess . Suddenly , she spotted Theodore's car parked in front of a restaurant on the corner . " Wait - could you pull over for a second ? " she blurted , startling the driver . Theodore's car was right there , outside the entrance . She remembered : last night , one of Theodore's old friends had treated them to dinner . Today , it was Theodore's turn to host the group . Cecilia had even posted about it on Twitter . Before she knew it , she'd climbed out of the car and was standing on the sidewalk . Inside the restaurant , Emma approached the hostess . " Someone's already arrived for the Whitman party ," she said , giving the last few digits of Theodore's phone number . The hostess nodded and led her down a corridor to a private dining room . " Here you are . " " Thank you , " Emma murmured , though her heart was pounding . She didn't even know why she'd come . At home , she'd been swept up by some wild impulse - but standing here now , she realized she didn't even have the courage to open the door . Laughter and conversation drifted out from the room . " Can't stay out too late tonight , and I'm not drinking either . Got home drunk last night . and my wife nearly bit my head off ! " 1/3 11:47 Chapter 4 That was one of Theodore's childhood friends . " Are you even my brother anymore ? You used to say your sister came first no matter what - now you're totally whipped . At least Theo's still one of the guys . " Cecilia's voice was sweet and syrupy , girlish and coy . So that's what Cecilia was really like , Emma thought . That's the kind of woman Theodore likes . But she could never be that way , not even if she tried . Another friend chimed in , " Theo's different . Emma wouldn't dare say a word to him , right ? " " Hey , by the way , " Cecilia piped up again , " Theo , is it true your wife's got a limp ? What happened ? " No one bothered to answer her . But Emma's heart twisted painfully in her chest . The conversation inside picked up steam . " Honestly , Theo , we feel bad for you . You're smart , handsome , rich - you could have anyone . Why settle for a cripple ? " " Yeah , you're the best of all of us . Whenever you need a plus - one - business events , press conferences , all that stuff - you can't even bring Emma . Don't you feel like you're missing out ? " So that's it , Emma thought . Theodore always told her she didn't need to get involved in his affairs , that all she had to do was sit at home and wait for him to bring home the money . Her own family praised Theodore to the skies . Everyone said she was lucky . Now she saw the truth : he just thought she was someone he could never take out in public . Through the door , she heard Theodore's voice , weary and resigned . " I owe her . I'm only trying to repay a debt . " " You've given her plenty of money . That's more than enough to pay off any debt , isn't it ? " " Exactly . You should've just written a check and walked away . Why sacrifice your whole life ? " 213 11.17 Chapter 4 " Seriously , Theo ," another friend said , " you could have brought home a saint and at least prayed for good luck every Sunday . But a woman like that - what's the point ? She can't help you at work , can't even fetch you a glass of water , right ? And if she tries , you're just worried she'll spill it all over herself . Theo , you want a drink ? Here , let me show you - like this , right ? " The room erupted with laughter . Cecilia shrieked with delight , " Is that really how your wife walks , Theo ? " Emma , her ear pressed to the door , felt her face burning . Shame and rage crashed over her in a dizzying wave . Before she realized what she was doing , she'd shoved the door open . A chorus of laughter greeted her . She froze at the threshold . Jared , one of Theodore's friends , was staggering around the room with a glass of water , mimicking a limp and pitching his voice high . " Theo , Theo , Theo , want some water ? Oops - fell down ! Theo , come pick me up ! " Emma looked at Theodore , her heart pounding with hope and desperation . This was the moment - would her husband , the man she loved more than anyone , finally stand up for her ? Chapter 5