Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 30

Theodore and Cecilia’s faces were a sight to behold.

Emma had always been afraid–afraid of letting people see her limp, afraid of the whispers and stares. But she had promised herself she wouldn’t stay hidden in the shadows, cowering like some timid creature. Especially now, as she caught Theodore and Cecilia’s expressions, she found even more reason to hold her ground.

“Emma!” Ms. Brown, her old mentor, hurried over and took Emma’s hand in both of hers, brimming with genuine concern. The warmth of her touch steadied Emma–body and soul.

Yet at that very moment, Emma’s own husband was at Cecilia’s side, holding Cecilia’s trembling hand as if she were the one in need of support.

The guests, most of them friends of Mr. Warren and Ms. Brown, were gracious enough not to stare at Emma’s foot. Still, her limp was impossible to ignore.

Sebastian stepped up beside Emma, positioning himself opposite Ms. Brown, as if standing guard on either side of her.

“This is my classmate,” Sebastian announced with a bright smile, “Ms. Brown and I helped her find a doctor.” He turned to Theodore. “Mr. Whitman, weren’t you curious about how my classmate was injured?”

Theodore maintained his stiff composure, lips pulled into a brittle smile. “I believe that’s her personal matter. We don’t need to know, and perhaps she’d rather not revisit the past.” His gaze settled on Emma, a silent warning flickering in his eyes.

Emma pretended not to notice. Sebastian, however, pressed on. “No, I think once everyone hears, they’ll be proud of her.”

Sebastian’s glance lingered on Theodore’s face. “She was injured while saving

someone else.”

A ripple of surprise swept through the guests. Their eyes turned to Emma, now filled with admiration.

“Five years ago, she leapt in front of a car to save someone’s life,” Sebastian continued, “and suffered terrible injuries. Especially her foot. She hasn’t been able to dance since.”

Ms. Brown squeezed Emma’s hand, her voice thick with emotion. “She was one of my brightest students.”

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Chapter 30

She turned to Emma, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I thought I’d lost you for good. Your number changed, you disappeared from our group… Now I’ve finally found you. Don’t be afraid. We heard about the clinic where Mrs. Whitman recovered, and I’ll help you get in touch. No matter how the treatment goes, you’ll always be our little linnet–just as beautiful as ever.”

The whole table sighed and murmured, voices filled with genuine kindness. Even the young women who once envied Theodore’s romance with Emma were wiping away tears. “Emma, can I call you that? I’m a dancer too. I know how much you sacrificed. You’re amazing–I admire you so much.”

Emma’s throat tightened. Ms. Brown was truly wonderful. But Emma knew the truth: there was no miracle cure, not when the clinic Theodore had suggested was nothing

but a sham.

Sebastian knew that too.

So he went on, “After she left the stage, she got married. I heard her husband was the very person she saved. His name was-”

Theodore, suddenly panicked, tried to cut in. But Sebastian only frowned, feigning forgetfulness. “I can’t recall his name…”

Theodore visibly relaxed, exhaling in relief.

Emma almost found his reaction laughable.

Then Sebastian pulled out his phone, scrolled for a moment, and stared straight at Theodore. “Wait a minute. In this wedding video, doesn’t the groom look exactly like Mr. Whitman?”

Chapter 31

Chapter 31