" So , you want to buy a house ? " Gabriella blinked , then nodded , uncertain what Emma was getting at . Emma let out a cold laugh . " Well , there's one way to do it ." " What is it ? " Jonathan and Gabriella spoke in unison , their eyes suddenly alight with hope . Emma picked up her purse , voice dripping with sarcasm . " Simple . I'll divorce Theodore , and Jonathan's girlfriend can marry him instead . Forget a house - she'll have everything Theodore owns , and you can skip the middleman's cut ! " The three faces across the table stared at her , stunned into silence . Only Theodore , beside her , suddenly laughed out loud . Emma hadn't expected that . She'd thought her words would offend him , but when she looked up , she saw that Theodore was genuinely amused - he hadn't even tried to hide his smile . Either way , the meal was over for her . She pushed back her chair and headed for the exit . Her family was too shocked to stop her . Whatever mess Theodore was about to clean up behind her , she didn't care to find out . She pressed the elevator button and waited . When the elevator arrived and the doors slid open , Theodore stepped out at the same moment . They both entered the lift together . " What's going on with you today ? Why are you so angry ? " Theodore asked , pressing the button for the parking garage . Emma drew a deep breath . " Theodore , let me ask you something . " He looked at her , startled . " Go ahead . " " In your mind , how much is my leg worth ? " She pointed down at her foot . His eyes darkened . " Why would you ask that ? " Emma felt tears prickling at her eyes , her heart aching . " I want to know - just how much debt are you planning to pay off for my leg ? " 1/2 11:54 Chapter 42 Theodore fell silent . " I know you don't like them , " she whispered . " I know why you say yes to everything they ask - it's because of my leg , isn't it ? Is there a price ceiling for what you'll pay ? How long are you going to keep footing the bill for me ? " " Emma ... " The elevator doors slid open again . A stranger stood outside , hesitating when he saw Emma's reddened eyes and Theodore standing close to her . Theodore nodded , gently turned Emma's shoulder , shielding her face from the stranger's gaze . The conversation was over for now . The elevator descended to the underground parking . At some point , Theodore had wrapped his arms tightly around her , holding her close . Emma pressed against his chest , breathing in the scent of his shirt . As soon as the elevator emptied , Emma pushed him away and strode out . Theodore followed , his gaze fixed on her retreating back . Once they were in the car , Theodore started the engine but didn't drive off right away . He sat in silence for a long moment before finally speaking . " Emma , " he said softly , " I told you before . You don't need to worry about any of this . Just be Mrs. Whitman and let me handle the rest . It's nothing for me . ' " Right , " Emma choked out , her voice hoarse . " It's nothing to you . Money , houses , cars - they're all easy for you . But to me , it feels like I sold you my leg , and you keep paying for it over and over . I hate this , Theodore . Even if you are paying for my leg , five years is more than enough . Let's just end it here , okay ? The transaction's over , the debt's paid . Let's both move on ... " He said nothing , just put the car in gear and pulled away . Music filled the silence - soft , haunting lyrics about a wedding night , a bride who couldn't smile , a careless mistake that ruined a life , apologies that came too late . Every word struck deep , the pain swelling with each note , threatening to drown her . Emma covered her face with her hands . Hot tears streamed down , soaking her palms . " Theodore , why do you listen to this kind of song ? Can't we just ... stop hurting each other ? " Her voice broke as she sobbed . 2/2 11.5A Chapter 43