Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152

“Hm?” She was still lost in the music.

“You looked so happy when you were dancing,” he said, his eyes fixed on

her smile.

“Of course I was!” Emma laughed, leaning into his arms as she stumbled and spun, “Sebastian, do you know when I was the happiest in my life?”

Theodore’s gaze sharpened. “When?”

“It was those four years at the Dance Academy. That was when I felt truly free.” Emma twirled again, growing dizzier, and collapsed into Theodore’s arms. “Back then, I had dance, and I had you…”

And I had all of you, my wonderful friends.

But she was too drunk. After that single word-“you”—she fell silent, her head resting against Theodore’s chest.

Theodore stood there, stiff and awkward, holding her in his arms.

“Sir?” Fallon had come with Emma’s pajamas, as Theodore instructed, but now, hearing the quiet from inside, she hesitated at the door.

Theodore snapped out of his daze and gently shook Emma. “Emma!

Emma!”

“Stop fussing…” Emma mumbled, “Sebastian, I’m tired from dancing… Let

me rest a bit…”

Theodore froze again.

It took him a moment to remember Fallon. He turned toward the door. “Fallon, are you still out there?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Come in,” he said.

“Yes, sir.” Fallon entered, carrying the pajamas. She saw Emma curled up

in Theodore’s arms and quickly averted her eyes, not daring to look any

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longer than necessary.

“Get some water ready for her bath,” he said just as his phone began to

ring.

He glanced at the screen–Jared was calling.

“Hello?” He cradled Emma with one arm and answered.

“Theo, come join us! Everyone’s here.”

Theodore looked down at Emma. She seemed to be asleep already, her cheeks flushed and lips parted, lost in a drunken dream.

“Alright, I’ll be there soon.” He handed Emma over to Fallon. “She’s had too much to drink. Take care of her, will you?”

Since their last confrontation, Fallon still felt uneasy around Theodore, but couldn’t help herself. “Sir, Mrs. Ashton is drunk, and you’re still going

out?”

“What else am I supposed to do?” Theodore’s tone was cold. “You know what you’re here for.”

Fallon fell silent, only tightening her hold on Emma.

Theodore left quickly, driving toward the address Jared had sent.

Half an hour later, he arrived at a karaoke bar. Jared and the rest were

already singing.

When Theodore walked into the private room, the music was so loud it rattled the glass. Jared and Hanley were in the middle of a duet, belting out a love song.

Cecilia bounced over, grinning from ear to ear. “Theo, look! The two of them are singing together!”

Theodore managed a faint smile,

“What’s wrong with us singing?” Jared laughed, handing Cecilia the microphone. “Here, you two take over.”

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Hanley handed over his mic as well. “Go on, Theo. It’s weird for two guys to sing a love song anyway.”

It was an old, old song–one everyone knew by heart.

Theodore took the mic just as the lyrics reached: I’ll love you till the end

of time, forever and ever…

But he missed his cue, and Cecilia quickly picked it up, then nudged him

with her elbow to remind him it was his turn.

Staring at the screen, Theodore finally found his place and sang: I’ll stay by your side till the seas run dry, till the stones turn to sand. Even if life rewinds, you’re still my only choice…

As he sang, he suddenly froze, his voice catching in his throat.

The song faltered again.

“…You chose me, and that’s our choice…” Cecilia finished the verse for him, her voice soft but clear.

“Theo!” She looked at him with shining eyes, clutching the microphone. “Promise you’ll love me till the end of time, promise you’ll stay with me to the ends of the earth… Theo, it’s your turn!”

“Oh.” Theodore forced a smile. “Sorry, I got distracted.”

Chapter 153