Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 268

The familiar strains of “Romeo and Juliet” drifted through the theater—a melody etched deep into her soul.

As the music began, every cell in Emma’s body seemed to awaken and dance along with it.

She reached out and took Sebastian’s offered hand.

Fortunately, she was already in her rehearsal clothes—practical for work. As for her shoes, she simply kicked them off, stepping barefoot onto the stage. The moment her feet touched the hardwood, it was as if a surge of energy rose from the floor, setting her entire body ablaze with life.

When Sebastian lifted her high above his head, she became weightless—a butterfly, her movements perfectly in sync with her younger self, whose image twirled across the giant screen behind them, captured five years before. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

Emma knew what that applause meant: warm-hearted acceptance.

She wasn’t the same dancer she had been at her peak five years ago. But true lovers of art offered her encouragement, their warmth a gentle embrace, not the harsh judgment of those who might say, “You’ve lost your spark. I’ve seen you dance, and you’re not who you were…”

After she and Sebastian executed a flawless final pose, the music shifted seamlessly into a jubilant rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The audience clapped along, singing with genuine enthusiasm.

Out of nowhere, Serena wheeled out a towering three-tiered birthday cake from backstage. Bathed in candlelight and surrounded by smiling faces, Emma was asked to make a wish.

She closed her eyes and made three: that her grandmother would enjoy many healthy years; that every teacher and member of the company would be blessed with peace and happiness; and that—someday—she herself would truly return to the state of grace she’d known as the Little Linnet.

The moment she opened her eyes, the entire theater erupted with cheers once more.

Beaming, she sliced the first piece from the enormous cake.

Her friends quickly set to work, cutting the cake into smaller pieces and passing them out to every member of the touring company, the backstage crew, and—most importantly—to the audience.

People in the crowd declared it the most memorable performance they’d ever seen.

Emma thought so too—it was, without a doubt, the most extraordinary birthday she’d ever had.

The dancer nodded and gave the bag a gentle shake. “There’s a card inside, right?”

“Yes,” he replied, rising with his cake. “Thank you. The performance tonight was wonderful. I appreciate everything you all do.”

He left his seat—and the theater—quietly.

Just a few steps behind him, a woman in a red dress hurried after him, not even pausing to take a piece of cake.

The rest of the cake was gone in no time. The dancer returned to the stage and handed the gift bag to Emma. “A gentleman gave this to you—he said you’d know who he was as soon as you opened it.”

Emma accepted the bag, a quiet certainty already blooming in her heart.

“Oh, and he said, ‘Happy birthday. I hope every wish you made tonight comes true.’”