Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 263

Cecilia’s eyes welled up instantly. She lowered her head, looking wounded and fragile.

Theodore, face grim, stood firmly at Cecilia’s side. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded. “Did Cici say anything wrong? She was just being kind, and you turn around and mock her?”

Cecilia quickly tugged at Theodore’s sleeve, her voice trembling, soft and anxious. “Theo, please don’t talk to Emma like that. She’s just having a rough day. You should try to understand her.”

Theodore fell silent, but his glare—sharp and furious—was fixed on Emma.

Cecilia pressed on, voice gentle but carrying, “Theo, please. Emma spends all her time with the dancers now, even though she can barely move. She still tries, so of course she’s upset. Emma, you shouldn’t push yourself so hard. If you get hurt, Theo will just worry more about you. He doesn’t care if you can’t dance.”

Every word sounded sweet on the surface, but Emma could see right through Cecilia’s smug little smile—especially when she said, “if you can’t dance.” Cecilia’s eyes flicked meaningfully to Emma’s injured foot.

But Theodore, the ever-reliable jerk, would probably see Cecilia as his little angel, always looking out for others.

Sure enough, Theodore launched into his usual lecture, his voice full of wounded concern. “If you were half as considerate as Cici, I wouldn’t have to drop everything at work just to come here.”

“Oh? Was it so difficult?” Emma shot back, her tone icy. “Didn’t seem so hard the last time you came all the way here just to pick up that handmade doll.” She’d tried to forget that particular memory, but these two just had to show up and remind her.

“I gave that doll to you, didn’t I?” Theodore’s expression darkened.

“Did you?” Emma replied coolly. “Who you bought it for, I’m not interested in finding out. Theodore, I just don’t like dolls.”

All the while, inside, Cecilia was practically screaming: See, Theo? Emma’s useless! I’m better than her at everything! Can’t you see that?

But before she could finish, Sebastian cut in sharply.

“Excuse me?” he snapped. “You think you’re better than Emma at everything? That’s a joke for the ages. As far as I can see, the only thing you’re better at is making tea. Theodore Whitman, you drink so much tea, it’s clearly gone to your head!”

Theodore, furious, looked ready to start another fight. Emma and Serena had to physically restrain him and Sebastian from lunging at each other.

Finally, Theodore turned his attention to Emma, taking in how much thinner she looked. His brow furrowed in concern. “I came to take you home. I saw you dance. You’re… you should just come home with me.”