" Emma ... " Cecilia pouted and sidled up to Theodore , clinging to his arm . " If you're really upset , take it out on me , okay ? Don't ignore Theo because of this . He only organized this little get - together because I'm back in town ... Theo , why don't you ask your wife to stay for dinner ? I'll even raise a glass to her and apologize ." What a delightful little performance . The innocent act , the self - sacrifice - Cecilia played it to perfection . Emma fixed her gaze on Theodore . She knew exactly why Cecilia dared speak this way : he let her . She pressed down the bitterness in her chest and forced a brittle smile . " Sorry , but I don't drink . Especially not anything with a hint of tea . " Cecilia's eyes filled with tears in an instant . She turned to Theodore , voice trembling . " Theo , is she ... is she insulting me ? I ... " She bit her lip and looked as if she might weep at any moment . " It's fine , really . Emma must have misunderstood me . I don't mind her saying a few things about me , just don't be upset with her ... " Theodore's face hardened . " Emma , Cici's just trying to be nice . Was it really necessary for you to be so sharp ? " Trying to be nice ? Only a fool would believe that . Was Theodore a fool ? No. He was simply choosing sides . His heart decided what was right and what was wrong . Emma looked at the pair in front of her , at the others clustered behind them , and realized just how impossibly wide the gulf was between them and her . They were all on the same team - tight - knit , unbreakable . She was just an outsider who'd wandered into their world . No , not even that . She'd never even made it through the door . She'd always been on the fringe , superfluous and unwelcome . She fought back tears and let out the softest , bitterest laugh , then turned and walked out . Behind her , Cecilia's voice piped up , " Theo , Emma- " " It's fine . She's always been sensible . I'll speak to her when we get home . Come on , everyone , let's not let this ruin the evening . " Theodore barely glanced back at Emma's retreating figure , but quietly texted his driver to go after her . Emma wanted to walk away with dignity , head held high , but she couldn't . Her legs always gave her away when she was upset - each step growing more unsteady the 1/2 11:47 Chapter 6 faster she tried to go . Did she look as ridiculous now as when Jared used to imitate her for laughs ? No doubt , as soon as she left , they'd all burst into laughter at her expense . She wiped her tears away and kept moving , faster and clumsier with every step ... By the time Theodore's driver finally caught up , Emma was long gone from outside the restaurant . He returned and told Theodore . Theodore frowned slightly and tried calling her , but Emma didn't answer . She declined the call , then turned off her phone . Jared , who'd already felt uneasy , seized the opportunity . " Theo , your wife's got a temper - no one else would put up with it . With your status , your reputation , any woman would be grateful just to be with you , and here she is giving you the cold shoulder . You're way too tolerant . " Theodore said nothing . The others chimed in to support Jared . " Jared's right . You've done so much for her , for your family - working your tail off out there - and she doesn't appreciate it ? She gives you attitude over something so trivial ? Is she even worth it ? " " Exactly . Marrying you was the best thing that could've happened to her . Let's be real - if not for you , with her leg like that , who else would want her ? If you left , she'd be lucky to find someone who'd even accept her . " Their laughter was sharp as knives , and not a single person thought to defend her . 2/2