Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 155

The nurse waited patiently nearby, ready to help Emma wash up, use the bathroom, and ask what she’d like for breakfast once she finished her

call.

Her stomach longed for something warm–a bowl of comforting soup would be perfect. But first, she checked on Fallon. Hearing that Fallon was doing fine, Emma decided it was time to take care of herself. She told the nurse, “I’ll order food in. Would you mind picking it up when it

arrives?”

She scrolled through a menu from a place known for its homemade soups and picked out four or five dishes, then settled in to wait for the delivery.

While she waited, Emma habitually opened up her social feed. She spotted a post from Renee: side–by–side photos from their high school days and from their dinner last night, with the caption, “Us, nine years ago and now.”

Emma couldn’t help but laugh. She looked so skinny back then–like a bean sprout, awkward and impossibly young.

No one had commented yet, so she tapped a quick like and kept scrolling. That’s when she came across Jared’s update.

Jared had written, “No matter how much time passes, some things never change. Wishing the best to the happy couple.” Underneath was a video. She tapped it; music drifted out: “I’ll love you till the end of time…”

Emma closed it, unimpressed.

So Jared had posted a public love confession for those two. How typical.

She’d been so out of it last night–drunk and then sleeping the day away–that she’d missed half of what happened. Now, everything was coming back into sharp focus: Theodore had shown up to sing, and he’d done a duet with Cecilia, right as she and Fallon had slipped and fallen.

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But honestly, it didn’t surprise her. With the way Theodore and Cecilia acted around each other, singing a love song together was hardly newsworthy.

Quietly, Emma blocked Jared. Out of sight, out of mind.

Then, on a whim, she blocked Hanley and the rest of their old crowd too. They’d been “friends” for five years, but never actually talked–except to drag her down.

Her finger hovered over Theodore’s name. After a second’s hesitation, she blocked him as well.

From last night until now, Emma had taken care of everything herself: the accident, patching herself up, getting to the hospital, getting treated…

Everyone always said she couldn’t survive without Theodore. But look at her–she’d gotten herself to the ER just fine, never once wishing he would show up and save her.

Forty minutes later, her food arrived.

She split the meal in two, asked the nurse to take a portion next door to Fallon, and invited the nurse to join her for dinner. After a few sips of the hot soup, warmth spread through her, and only then did she finally feel able to rest.

But after sleeping for so long, the meal only made her more awake. Another day had gone by; only ten days left before she’d leave.

She still worried about whether her injury would affect her travel plans, so she sent a message to Ms. Brown.

Injured? Where? Is it serious?

Ms. Brown replied immediately, her concern obvious.

Emma quickly answered, Just a small cut, but I needed a few stitches. I’m worried I won’t be able to fly.

Ms. Brown reassured her: Don’t worry. If you can’t make it, we’ll go first and you can join us five days or a week later. We can always change your

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ticket.

Emma realized she was right and thanked her for the reassurance.

Right after their chat ended, Theodore’s name flashed on her phone.

Emma really didn’t want to answer. What could he possibly have to say? Lately, anything he wanted to discuss was never anything she wanted to

hear.

She let the call ring out. Moments later, a text came in: Why did you block

me?

Emma ignored it and set her phone aside.

She hadn’t blocked Theodore’s number–there were still too many practical matters to deal with: the finances, dropping the legal case, the

divorce.

But as for his world, his friends, their endless social feeds–she didn’t want to see any of it anymore.

Outside, the sky was fading to gray; evening was coming. Emma thought the day would slip by uneventfully, but then someone came by to visit

her.

It was Sebastian.

Emma was genuinely surprised. “How did you even know I was here?”

she asked.

Sebastian smiled, and Emma immediately understood–Ms. Brown must

have told him.

“Official visit from the whole tour group,” Sebastian grinned. “I’m carrying the weight of our collective goodwill.”

Emma laughed, too. She didn’t know everyone on the tour, but those she’d met had always treated her kindly.

“So how did you end up hitting your head?” Sebastian asked, eyeing the bandage wrapped around her head.

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“Oh, the bathroom floor was too slippery. I lost my balance, that’s all.” Emma didn’t want to go into details; her personal drama wasn’t exactly something to brag about.

Sebastian had brought fruit–early summer redberries, bright and plump. Emma loved them.

They chatted over the berries, talking about the upcoming European tour, the shows, the travel plans. Emma listened, her eyes shining.

This was what she truly longed for.

She couldn’t dance anymore, but just being part of the world she loved filled her with joy. That was where she belonged.

When Theodore arrived at the hospital room, the door was half open. Through the gap, the first thing he saw was the sparkle in Emma’s eyes. And those bright, lively eyes–she was looking at Sebastian.

Theodore lingered in the doorway for a long moment. Emma hadn’t even noticed him; she was still chatting with Sebastian, animated and laughing freely.

With a cold expression, Theodore pushed the door fully open and stepped inside.

Emma’s smile faded as she frowned slightly. Why was he here? Oh, she realized, she hadn’t answered his call–he must have called Fallon to find

out where she was.

He was carrying a paper bag with the name of an expensive, well–known restaurant printed on it.

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