Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 25

he end of the performance, the actors brought bouquets of fresh flowers down to the children in the audience.

Watching the kids‘ faces light up as they accepted the flowers, Emma felt a sudden rush of emotion–something about the passing of a torch, the connection between

generations.

Her seat was right in the front row. When the leading man climbed down from the stage, he smiled warmly and handed a bouquet directly to her.

Emma was taken aback, caught off guard for a moment. She didn’t even react until Ms. Brown nudged her, and only then did she clutch the flowers and manage a quick, “Thank you,” to the actor.

“Thank you for coming to my show,” the leading man replied with a bow before returning to the stage.

On the way home, Ms. Brown glanced over and asked if she remembered who that leading man was.

Emma drew a blank.

“He graduated from our academy, just two years after you. He’s the principal performer at the Cresthaven Performing Arts Troupe now,” Ms. Brown said, smiling.

So, he was a junior from her old school.

“Don’t you recall that showcase a few years ago? You were the female lead, and he was the understudy for the male lead. The main actor got injured, so he stepped in. Ring any bells?” Ms. Brown prompted.

Emma dug through her memories–vaguely, yes, she could recall the incident now.

“He’s principal performer now. That’s wonderful…” Emma couldn’t help feeling a pang of bittersweet regret. But honestly, she was genuinely happy for her fellow students.

Ms. Brown gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “There’s no finish line, Emma.”

Emma nodded firmly. “I know, Ms. Brown.” She’d already decided: it was time to start again.

Tonight was exhilarating–her first time back in a theater in five years.

Even after she got home, her heart was still racing.

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She arranged the bouquet in a vase, snapped a picture, and posted it to her social feed with the caption: Tonight belongs to my passion and my greatest love.

After that, she removed her makeup, got ready for bed, and tried to sleep.

Countdown to leaving Theodore: 29 days. Tonight, she’d rediscovered what she loved.

She assumed Theodore wouldn’t come home tonight–he so rarely did anymore–but in the middle of the night, the sound of the front door woke her.

When Theodore came into the bedroom, the smell of alcohol hit her instantly.

He’d been drinking again.

He staggered around so much he banged into a chair, making a racket–just how much had he had tonight?

He didn’t even bother to shower, just collapsed onto the bed.

The smell was overwhelming.

Emma couldn’t bring herself to say anything–not about his drinking, not about taking a shower. She was too tired to fight.

But she couldn’t stand the stench, either. She got up, meaning to sleep in the guest

room.

She was just reaching for the doorknob when Theodore’s voice came from behind her. “Where are you going?”

She ignored him and opened the door.

Then the bed creaked–Theodore actually got up, banging into the chair again as he crossed the room and grabbed her wrist. “Where do you think you’re going instead of sleeping?”

“I’m going to the guest room. Let go of me,” she said, trying to pull free.

But wrestling with a drunk was pointless–the harder she tried, the tighter he held on. In the end, her efforts were futile.

“Come on, stop making a scene. Why bother? If you’d just apologized sooner, I wouldn’t have embarrassed you,” he slurred, breath thick with alcohol.

Emma blinked in disbelief. What was that supposed to mean? He made it sound like she’d already apologized.

“When did I ever apologize?” she shot back. She hadn’t even seen him all day, let

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alone apologized.

Theodore let out a soft, mocking laugh, the words sticky with inebriation. “Tonight belongs to my passion and my greatest love… That’s why I came home. If you’d just admit you were wrong a little sooner, I wouldn’t hold it against you…”

Emma stared at him in astonishment. He seriously thought her social post was about him? Theodore, what on earth is going through your mind?

“Emma…” Suddenly, he pulled her into a hug. “I know. I know you love me. You’d do anything for me. So, no matter what happens, I’ll never let you down in this life…”

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For a moment, Emma was dazed.

He wasn’t wrong.