Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 226

Jared’s message popped up again: “Something this big and you didn’t even tell your brothers? Don’t blame Cici for being nosy—she’s just worried sick about you. She didn’t know what else to do, so she asked us for advice on how to cheer you up. She made me swear a thousand times not to tell you she came to us, terrified you’d be angry.”

Theodore replied, “I know you all mean well. I’m not mad.”

Jared sent an emoji—the hugging one Cici always used. “Here we go, you’re going to say we’re nagging again. You spoiled her for five years, Theo. Spoiled her rotten. If only she were half as considerate as Cici, you wouldn’t be suffering like this. I’m serious, you should just cut her cards. Let’s see how far she gets then! With no money, she’ll have no choice but to come back.”

Theodore didn’t answer.

He couldn’t cut her off, not really.

She had her own bank account. He’d always wired her money straight there—she never depended on a supplementary card from him. She wasn’t living off his charity.

Jared messaged again: “Don’t tell me you gave her enough money to be financially independent? And it’s all in her hands?”

Still, Theodore stayed silent.

Jared got the message. He shot back a “dummy” emoji. “Theo, are you really that much of a fool? If Emma ever took off with all your money, I wouldn’t even be surprised. Seriously, man…”

Theodore kept quiet, and eventually Jared let it drop, switching tactics: “Whatever, you married her. She’s your cross to bear. What’s done is done. Whether she’s out there living it up or ran off with someone else, you need to stop overthinking. Some things are just fate. Emma’s here to teach you a lesson, but remember—your brothers and Cici will always have your back. No matter what happens, we’ll be here for you.”

Another hugging emoji followed the message.

Despite everything, Theodore felt a warmth in his chest. After all these years, these friends were still his family. Real brothers, the kind who lasted.

He sent over a smiling emoji: “You’ve stolen all of Cici’s stickers.”

Jared replied with a grin: “She’s like a little ray of sunshine. Ever since she came back to our group chat, it’s like she brings warmth and light every day, doesn’t she? Right, Theo?”

Theodore glanced over at Cecilia and answered, “Absolutely.”

Later that evening, two different people told him the same thing: You spoiled Emma too much. You turned her into a princess—of course she acts like she’s untouchable.

Emma had planned to spend the afternoon resting at the hotel, but she couldn’t sleep. Ms. Brown hadn’t come back either, so she got up, hoping she could help out somehow.

But as she stepped into the hallway, she realized the hotel was empty—the others had all gone to the rehearsal studio.

Everyone was already rehearsing.

Emma spent the whole afternoon in the rehearsal hall, watching teachers and her fellow dancers practice. She took care of little things, fetching water, handing out towels, doing whatever needed to be done behind the scenes.

Suddenly, applause echoed through the empty room.

It wasn’t a crowd—just a few people—but the clapping was swift and heartfelt, like a sudden summer rain.

Emma looked up to see Sebastian and Serena walking toward her, still applauding.

“Emma! That was incredible! Were you dancing about being reborn?” Serena’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Emma got to her feet, a little embarrassed. “I… I don’t know. Watching you all practice, I just felt this sudden urge…”

“You were amazing!” Serena’s emotion was genuine. Even if Emma’s technique was rusty and she struggled with the harder moves, who couldn’t be moved by a phoenix fighting to fly again after falling?

Sebastian’s eyes shone. He only said one thing: “Emma, let us dance with you.”

And so, they danced together for another three hours.

During those hours, Emma shared her ideas as she moved. Whenever she couldn’t pull off a step, Serena stepped in for her. The concepts Emma pictured in her mind, Sebastian and Serena helped bring to life, building the choreography together as Emma explained.

It was just a small piece, but Emma’s heart was overflowing. There was so much more she wanted to say, so much more she wanted to express.