Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 219

That night, Emma and her grandmother settled into their freshly cleaned new home, the air delicately scented with lavender. For the first time, Emma felt as if the world itself was breathing clean, crisp air.

She turned off her phone and, with the person she loved most right by her side, drifted into the deepest, most carefree sleep she’d had in years—twelve uninterrupted hours.

When she finally woke up, she felt completely refreshed, every inch of her body relaxed.

Still in bed, she reached for her phone and powered it on. Instantly, she saw a string of missed calls from Theodore, plus several WhatsApp messages: a bunch of question marks, a terse Where are you? and Why can’t I reach you?

Emma ignored them.

The air conditioning was perfect, and the blackout curtains kept the morning light at bay. Knowing she and her grandmother had already decided on breakfast the night before, she had no reason to rush. She let herself sink back into the comfort of the sheets, savoring a few more minutes of peace.

But Theodore wasn’t about to let her rest. This time, he sent a video call request.

Emma declined it.

A message popped up: ??? Why’d you hang up?

She typed back: Just woke up. Haven’t even brushed my hair yet.

Almost immediately, another video call came through.

Emma glanced around the room. She had to admit, her tastes hadn’t changed much. The bedding set she was wrapped in was almost identical in color and style to the one back home. With a resigned sigh, she accepted the call.

The phone was so close to her face at first that her entire face filled the screen, cheeks still flushed from a good night’s rest.

Theodore grinned. “Come on, Em. After five years sharing a bed, you think I don’t know what you look like before you’ve had a chance to get ready? Let me see you.”

Emma squinted at him, pretending to be half-asleep.

“So, why’d you turn your phone off?”

She rolled her eyes. “Didn’t want you waking me up.”

He had no response to that.

“Still sleepy, huh? You little piggy.”

It caught her completely off guard.

“Okay!” Cecilia looked up, eyes sparkling with what might have been tears, but she forced a smile—a smile so full of effort it made Theodore’s heart ache. “Theo, I saw you and Emma on video just now. She’s really beautiful. You’ve taken such good care of her. Her skin’s perfect—not a blemish. I’m jealous, honestly. Not like me…”

She touched her own cheek, laughing bitterly.

“Cici,” Theodore said, “you’re beautiful—always have been.”

“Don’t flatter me!” Cecilia let out a laugh. “Anyway, enough about me. Emma seemed kind of distant. Is she upset? Or is she mad that you’re here with me?”

Theodore smiled. “It’s not your fault. She’s just cranky from being woken up. I should’ve let her sleep.”

“Really?” Cecilia sipped her coffee, still smiling. “I thought maybe it was because of me… Theo, I’d hate for you two to fight because of me.”

“Never,” Theodore said, taking a sip of his own coffee. “Emma’s understanding. If she’s moody now and then, it’s only because of me. I’ll make it up to her once I get back.”

“Oh?” Cecilia’s eyes glimmered with mischief. “Even after you told those thugs to let me go first the other day, she’s not mad anymore?”

For a split second, Theodore’s hand trembled around his cup as the memory flashed through his mind. But he quickly recovered, smiling. “Everything’s fine now. We even had dinner together last night—she more than made up for her anger with her appetite. Three whole bowls.”

Cecilia’s laughter rang out, and the tension in the room melted away.