Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 388

The figure was dressed head to toe in black—mask, gloves, hat—the works. Whoever it was raced past her so quickly she barely registered more than a shadowy blur, like a wisp of darkness slipping by.

Staring down at the envelope that had suddenly appeared in her arms, she frowned. What the hell is this?

She tore it open in a rush—and froze. It was Theodore’s medical report.

What?!

Theodore had low sperm motility?

Then that means…

And Theodore…

Her mind filled with a thousand frantic questions, all swirling into a storm of speculation. But as her thoughts raced, pieces began to fall into place, and answers—however wild—started to take root.

No wonder. No wonder Theodore’s attitude had shifted ever since that night she’d set the whole scene with Jared. So, from that night on, Theodore hadn’t really trusted her? But aside from acting cold, he’d never said a word! What was he planning? What was he trying to do?

No. This wouldn’t do.

She needed to talk to Jared. Now.

Already storming out in frustration, Cecilia spun on her heel and hurried back into the building. She stabbed at the elevator button, barely containing her nerves. The doors slid open, and there were Jared and Hanley inside.

Cecilia shot Jared an urgent look.

Hanley, oblivious, grinned at her. “Cici, come on, let me apologize, all right? I was just messing around. You know me, I never think before I talk.”

Cecilia had zero patience for his nonsense right now and kept signaling desperately to Jared with her eyes.

Jared caught on. “Alright, Hanley. Go home to your wife. I’ll stay and apologize to Cici.”

Hanley looked relieved. “You’re a good man, Jared. That’s what I like about you. I’ll head home then!”

Jared laughed. “If he wasn’t a jerk, would Emma have dumped him? And you—don’t act so innocent. The first time we slept together wasn’t your first, was it? How many guys did you hook up with while you were abroad?”

Cecilia, furious, looked ready to throw her water at him. “Who are you to judge me? You, of all people, with your endless string of flings, think you have the right to talk about my first time?”

Jared caught her hand before she could do anything rash. “Let’s not start a scene. We need to focus. Theodore must have figured something out by now.”

“What about the baby?” Cecilia’s hand went protectively to her stomach. “If there’s a paternity test, it’s all over!”

“The baby’s going to be born, obviously. I can afford to raise a child.” Jared rapped his knuckles on the table. “It’s not the end of the world. I’ve got your back.”

Cecilia glared at him. “You? You’d be the father?”

“What, am I not good enough?” Jared shot back, his tone turning cold.

“So what am I supposed to do? What does that make me? Who’s the baby’s mother supposed to be?” Cecilia had never once imagined marrying Jared.