Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 48

For years, she had loved Theodore–loved him fiercely, stubbornly, even through humiliation. She’d guarded their marriage with everything she had. Was it finally ruined beyond repair?

“Didn’t expect me to call, did you?” Theodore shot a look at Sebastian, sitting nearby. His jaw was tight. “I’m your husband. If I don’t call, who will?”

She shook her head, gripping the barre as she stood. “Who knows? It’s not like I’ve got an ex–boyfriend to call me.”

His face darkened. “Emma…”

But she bent down and picked up a packet of wet wipes, limping quietly over to him. Pulling one out, she calmly wiped the smudge of lipstick from his neck, then tucked the used wipe into his suit pocket. “Grandma made her famous beer–braised chicken tonight. Smells incredible. Dinner’s ready.”

She paused at the door, glancing back. “You should probably change your shirt–or at least wash the collar–before you come in. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to explain to Grandma. Or don’t, if you really don’t care what she thinks.”

Emma had always wondered, in some dark corner of her heart, if Theodore would ever betray her with someone like Cecilia. She just hadn’t imagined that, when the day finally came, she would feel so numb–hurting quietly, pressing her hand to her chest as if to hold herself together.

She had to hold herself together.

Because if the pain crashed down like a tidal wave, how could she pretend to be happy?

“Sebastian, dinner!” she called out as she left the studio,

Those two–Sebastian and Theodore–were both eyeing each other like rival wolves. She just hoped they wouldn’t start a fight at the table.

Not that she felt sorry for Theodore. One day, she’d calmly explain the divorce to Grandma. She just didn’t want Grandma to witness the chaos firsthand.

“And what makes you think you can eat here?” Theodore had dropped any pretense now, glaring straight at Sebastian.

Sebastian only grinned. “Have you ever seen Emma dance?”

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Theodore was thrown for a loop. For all his business acumen, he couldn’t make sense

of what Sebastian meant.

Sebastian just laughed and followed Emma inside.

Five minutes later, Theodore came in too, the collar of his shirt still damp from a quick wash.

“Evening, Grandma,” Theodore greeted as soon as he stepped in.

“Oh, Theodore, you’re here! Come, sit down–I’ll get you a plate,” Grandma said with a

warm smile.

“No need, Grandma. You sit. I’ll get it myself,” he replied, glancing at Sebastian with a pointed look. Then he added, “I’m not a guest, after all.”

He beat Grandma to the kitchen, grabbing bowls and forks, even fetching a ladle for the soup. He served Grandma first, then Emma, and even tried to serve Sebastian–acting every bit the gracious host.

Sebastian politely declined, but Theodore insisted, and for a few awkward moments the two men wrestled over a simple bowl of soup.

Emma just grabbed another bowl and handed it to Sebastian. “He likes that one. Let

him have it. You can use this one.”

Theodore glared at her, but didn’t say a word.

“Theodore, just eat. We all serve ourselves here,” Grandma interjected gently.

Maybe it was because Grandma was nothing like her own parents, but Theodore had always shown her respect. He genuinely liked her cooking, too. But tonight, it was obvious the food wasn’t spicy enough for his taste.

“Theodore, I didn’t know you’d be joining us, so I didn’t make anything spicy. Next time, I’ll fix something special for you,” Grandma said kindly.

Theodore looked surprised. “Grandma, do you all not eat spicy food when I’m not here?”

“That’s right.” She smiled. “I prefer milder flavors, and Emmie’s eaten light since she was little because of her dancing.”

He turned to look at Emma, as if seeing her with new eyes.

At that moment, Emma’s phone–which she’d left charging on the table–powered on by itself.

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Theodore’s gaze fell on the phone just as it finished booting up and notifications began to appear.

He picked it up, flashed it in front of Emma, and unlocked the screen.

She barely had time to protest before he opened the video Sebastian had sent.

The video showed Emma and Sebastian dancing Metamorphosis–Sebastian lifting her gracefully, the two moving as if they were flying together.

“Have you ever seen Emma dance?”

Sebastian’s words echoed in Theodore’s ears as he stared at Emma, his eyes dark

and unreadable.

Chapter 49

Chapter 49