Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

She frowned, her gaze unfocused, staring at his face as she murmured, “Why did you throw away my love letter? Someone gave that to me.”

“I’m the class president,” Theodore replied stiffly, his expression stern. “The school doesn’t allow dating.”

Emma’s brow furrowed in disbelief. That was his excuse?

She balled her fist and hit his shoulder, not that it hurt, but she gave it her all, her punches landing firmly on his shoulder and chest. “What does that have to do with you? You’re just the class president, not the principal! That letter was for me–it’s my private business! Who gave you the right to throw it away?”

Her movements were clumsy, her eyes glazed with drunkenness, but her frustration was clear.

“Are you really that angry?” Theodore caught her hand, steadying her. “You’re this upset just because I threw out your love letter?”

“Of course I’m angry! If someone actually wrote me a love letter…” Emma’s thoughts drifted back to high school, blurring at the edges.

The school had its rules–no dating allowed–but honestly, who didn’t have a crush on someone back then? She had liked Theodore, secretly, but through all those years, no one had ever liked her back. Renee and the other girls she knew had all gotten gifts, little notes slipped into lockers–yet she never received anything.

She’d always felt inferior, growing up in a family where she was neither cherished nor encouraged. Her parents compared her to her brother, told her she was a disappointment, even blamed her for being born a girl. Nothing she did ever seemed to please them. Back then, aside from her grandmother, she truly believed no one liked her–least of all any boy.

It wasn’t that she was heartbroken over never getting a love letter, but if she ever had, it would’ve meant something. At least it would prove she wasn’t completely invisible.

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Chapter 149

“What if you had gotten one? Would you have started dating him?” Theodore pressed, his tone insistent.

Emma scowled even deeper–when had she ever said she’d date anyone? “I’m telling you, those boys are all trouble! Renee’s boyfriend, childhood sweetheart or whatever–do you know how many times I’ve caught him with other girls? Back then, you all were too young, too naïve. The first bit of attention you got, you’d fall for it! All you’d get is hurt.”

Emma’s heart skipped. Was Renee’s boyfriend really like that?

“What about Renee-” She reached for the car door, suddenly worried.

“Sit down and stay put,” Theodore said, pressing her back into her seat. “Renee can handle herself. You don’t need to get involved.”

“But-” Emma protested, still uneasy.

“No buts. Renee’s not as weak as you.”

Weak? When was she ever weak?

“So, what do you think Carlisle wanted, writing you that letter?”

Theodore’s tone was sharp now.

Emma squinted, her drunkenness making the world spin. Theodore’s face seemed to multiply in front of her and she shook her head, trying to banish the extra, blurry versions. “Carlisle isn’t like that.”

“Then what is he like?” Theodore’s voice suddenly rose. “What kind of guy

is he?”

“He’s… kind. If he cares about someone, he really cares.” In truth, Emma didn’t know Carlisle all that well. They hadn’t talked much in high school. But she remembered how he’d secretly kept a stray mutt in his dorm–a scrawny, awkward dog he’d rescued off the street. After all these years, she’d still seen him posting photos of that same dog online. The dog was old now, but Carlisle still took care of it.

“Mrs. Whitman!” Theodore snapped, his voice trembling with anger–he

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Chapter 149

was right on the edge of losing it.

“Emma-” Someone called her name from outside the car window. She turned to see who it was, but suddenly, all thought vanished as something warm and gentle pressed against her lips.

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