Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 262

The next morning, Emma was up early again for her rehab session. Whatever had happened the night before hadn’t cast much gloom over her heart.

Sebastian and Serena came along to train with her.

Saying “it’s a new beginning” sounded bold and triumphant, but once you actually tried to start over, you realized how hard it really was.

Emma had been in Europe for nearly ten days now. Every day she stuck with her rehab routine. She never missed a session, but no matter how hard she tried, her body’s flexibility just wouldn’t improve. Most crushing of all, there was no real change—her foot still refused to respond.

Every single time she worked that injured foot, pain shot through her, sharp and relentless.

She ate plenty here, never restricting herself at meals, yet somehow she’d lost nearly twenty pounds since arriving. She’d always been slim, but now, dressed in black workout gear, she looked so fragile she might blow away with a gust of wind.

It wasn’t just the exercise that had worn her down. It was the pain.

The pain was there as she trained. It lingered even after. At night, she’d lie in bed, silently kneading her foot under the covers for an hour at a time. She was exhausted, but the ache kept her awake.

And yet, even so, she refused to give up.

She thought back over the five barren years of her life. She asked herself—what are we here for, really?

Wasn’t it to do what we love? To live the life we want?

So, Emma, what is it you want?

To dance, of course.

Even if she was a crippled little sparrow, even if she could never soar again, she could still dance—awkwardly, stubbornly—on stage, if only for herself.

Once she understood that, every day brought her a quiet joy.

Emma felt herself lifted off the ground, swept up in someone’s arms.

“Emma, are you okay? I’m taking you to the hospital!” It was Theodore.

How had he found her here? Why was he here again?

“Why is it always you? Put me down!” Emma’s voice was edged with irritation.

“What do you mean, always me?” Theodore shot back. “If I weren’t here, you could’ve broken your neck and no one would even notice!”

Just then, another figure rushed into the studio and came up to them. “He’s right, Emma. Theo really cares about you. Don’t let others talk you into pushing him away. He’s the person who loves you most, you know.”

Emma was already feeling down from another day of no progress. Seeing these two only soured her mood further. She forced herself out of Theodore’s arms. “The person who loves me most? If that’s true, then why are you with her?”