Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 273

There was a subtle, pleasant fragrance lingering around Alfven Bennett—Emma couldn’t quite place the perfume, but it was lovely. Being held in her aunt’s arms like this made her want to cry all over again. This was the embrace she’d dreamed of as a child—her mother's arms, safe and warm.

She had never felt this kind of comfort from her own mother, but now, on the cusp of turning thirty, she was experiencing it here, with her aunt.

After only a few days together, she found herself reluctant to say goodbye.

But at least, she thought, they’d see each other again soon—just over a month apart.

At the farewell, Larson surprised the entire tour group with gifts. Literally everyone—no one was left out. He made a point of telling each person he was Emma’s brother and thanked them for looking after her.

Later, Serena sidled up to Emma, eyes wide in mock amazement. “Wow, your brother’s got a flair for generosity! He got something for every single one of us—and with how many people there are in this troupe, that can’t have been cheap!”

To be honest, Emma still didn’t really know what her brother did for a living. Their meeting the previous night had been so rushed, there hadn’t been time to talk.

As for the past, she’d heard that her aunt had brought her brother home once, long before Emma was even born. Apparently, it hadn’t gone well—her aunt never brought him back after that.

“Emmie, your aunt and I are heading off now. I’ll come get you for the last stop,” Larson told her as he climbed into the airport shuttle.

“Okay! Bye, big brother. Bye, Auntie!” Emma waved until they disappeared, then gathered her things and boarded the van for the next city.

Without realizing, the tour was already halfway done.

The troupe traveled on, performing in three more countries.

During this stretch, Emma’s days fell into a steady rhythm: physical therapy, helping with tour logistics, and daily video calls with her grandmother.

Those calls with her grandmother became her anchor. Seeing her looking well always eased Emma’s heart. But after about a week, Emma noticed something was off. Her grandma seemed thinner.

“Grandma, have you lost weight?” Emma asked, concern etched on her face.

Her grandmother just smiled. “Oh, I don’t think so! I feel fine, really. Maybe it’s all the dancing I’ve been doing with the ladies downstairs. A little movement every day, you know—it keeps me trim!”

“I see…” Emma tried to sound reassured, but the worry lingered.

Even Serena couldn’t help whispering to Sebastian, “You’re in trouble now—her brother’s here. The bar just got raised.”

Emma had no idea about Serena and Sebastian’s little conversation. She just felt inexplicably anxious, her nerves tightening as takeoff approached. Even Larson noticed.

“You’ll see Grandma soon. Just hang in there,” Larson soothed.

Emma pressed a hand to her chest. “It’s not anticipation, it’s… I don’t know, I just have this terrible feeling something’s going to happen.”

“You just spoke with your grandma today, didn’t you?” Larson reminded her gently. “It’s only a few more hours. We’re almost there.”

“Yeah.” Emma nodded uncertainly.

A few hours—never in her life had a handful of hours felt so endless.

Unlike the flight out, this time she couldn’t sleep at all. Not for a second. When the plane finally touched down, her anxiety hit its peak.