" Here , have a drumstick , son - in - law . " Her mother beamed as she reached across the table , piling food into Theodore's plate with the serving fork . " Oh , no , really , please - let Dad have it . Today's his special day . " Theodore politely angled his plate away from her insistent hands . Emma couldn't help but scoff inwardly . Theodore didn't even like her family's cooking ! He had a thing for spicy food - just not the greasy kind . And this chicken , pale and swimming beneath a layer of fat , checked every box of what he hated most . But her mother's enthusiasm was a force of nature - good intentions barreling forward , undeterred by the most polite refusals . She kept ladling food onto his plate , cheerfully repeating it was with the " serving fork , serving fork , " as if that detail might make it more enticing . In no time , Theodore's plate was piled sky - high . Watching him , Emma almost felt sorry . The look on his face was a silent plea for help , but she could only think: serves you right ! Once , she would have quietly shifted some of his food onto her own plate, helping him out of a bind without anyone noticing . Today , though , she didn't bother . Eat it yourself . Theodore shot her a few desperate glances , but Emma pretended not to see . He sighed , resigned , and began to nibble at the mountain of food , struggling with each bite . Then Gabriella started in . " Emmie , sweetheart ... " Here we go . When her mom called her " Emmie , " it always meant she wanted something . And when the request was for Theodore , she'd always ask through Emma . Her mother knew better than to complain directly to her son - in - law . Air grievances to the daughter , let the son - in - law overhear - that was Emma's designated role in this family : the go - between , the tool . " Emmie , darling ... " Gabriella's eyes crinkled with a smile . " We have some good news in the family ! " 1/3 11:53 Chapter 41 Emma didn't take the bait . Good news in this house never involved her - unless it involved money . When Emma didn't respond , her mother pressed on , " Jonathan has a girlfriend now . " Still nothing from Emma , but Theodore chimed in , " That's wonderful news . Congratulations . " Emma smirked bitterly . Congratulations ? And how much would a ' congratulations ' cost this time ? Gabriella's face lit up . " Yes , we're thrilled , but ... " She hesitated , sighing , " Her family has pretty high expectations . They won't agree to the marriage unless Jonathan buys a new house . " " Another house ? " Emma frowned . " Didn't you buy this one for Jonathan to get married in ? " Years ago , they'd used the excuse of buying her brother a wedding house to squeeze money from Emma - well , from Theodore . Her mother looked troubled . " These girls nowadays ... can't please them . She won't settle for a used house . She wants a brand new one , and she wants her name on the deed ... " " So ? What's that got to do with me ? " Emma cut her off . " I don't have any money . Not a dime . " Theodore started to speak , but Emma stomped hard on his foot beneath the table . Her mother dropped the pretense , turning pleading eyes on Theodore . " Son - in - law , we wouldn't ask if we had any other choice . Think of it as a loan . We'll pay you back ... " " With what ? " Emma snapped , cutting Theodore off again . " You going to sell your other daughter ? Or should I break another leg for you ? " A loud bang split the air - her father had slammed his hand on the table . After a couple glasses of whiskey , he was always ready to blow . But Emma was angrier . She tossed her fork down . " Don't bother slamming the table . Just hit me . Kill me and be done with it . At least then we're all free of this mess ! " " You think I won't ? " Julian bellowed , grabbing his plate as if to hurl it at her . " I should have never had such an ungrateful daughter ! " Gabriella clung to his arm , begging , " Please , stop it ! For Theodore's sake , let's not วาว 11:54 Chapter 41 fight ." Emma almost laughed . For Theodore's sake ? As if Theodore actually cared about them . Theodore reached for her shoulder , speaking gently . " Let's just look at some places , all right ? We'll see- " " There's nothing to see ! " Emma jerked away , standing abruptly , fixing her glare on her parents and her brother . " So , you're getting married , is that it ? " Jonathan nodded , silent . Chapter 42