Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 371

He didn't want to think about anything.

Lately, he'd barely slept. Most nights, he just lay awake, and even when he did drift off, it was light, restless sleep.

He was always dreaming.

Now, slouched in his chair, exhaustion finally started to seep in. He let his head rest back; before he knew it, he was half-asleep, slipping into another dream.

He dreamt of when he was a teenager, the day his father threw some cash and a card at him, told him he was just as useless as his mother, and to never come looking for him again.

Back then, full of pride and anger, he just turned and walked away. He didn't even bother picking up the money.

He'd known someone was watching him from the corner. Eyes clear and timid, like a startled rabbit's—always darting away in fear whenever he caught her staring.

She was thin, a dancer, and a good one. But unlike the other girls in her class, she never seemed confident. She practiced alone, quietly, and the moment she left the studio, she seemed to shrink into invisibility.

What she didn't know was how captivating she'd looked at the school's New Year performance. Dressed in her costume, stage makeup on, she was the brightest thing on stage…

"Theodore, that girl in your class—Emma…"

"Get lost!"

"Move! Let me in!"

He startled awake, the shout yanking him out of the dream.

The door to his office swung open. For a second, he was disoriented.

He'd been dreaming of people and memories from a lifetime ago, far too often lately.

"Theo! Hanley is getting ridiculous—he actually sent someone to keep me out!" Cecilia marched straight to his desk.

His secretary hovered at the doorway, looking put-upon.

Theodore waved her away and turned to Cecilia. "That wasn't Hanley's decision. I told them not to let anyone in."

"Then your new secretary isn't up to the job! Can't even recognize me. ‘No one' obviously doesn't include me!" Cecilia propped her chin on her hands, elbows on his desk.

"What are you doing here?" Theodore avoided her gaze.

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