Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 458

Back home that night, Emma's mind was consumed by the performance. The troupe had recorded the entire show, and she watched it over and over, identifying weaknesses and brainstorming ways to perfect the choreography.

By the time she had finished organizing her notes, she realized Sebastian had left at some point without a word.

She remembered the torn card he'd thrown away. With a sigh, she picked up her phone to text him, but a message from Genevieve came through first.

*Genevieve: Hey, did you two have a fight?*

*Emma: No, why? What's wrong?*

*Genevieve: My brother came home, didn't say a word, and locked himself in his room.*

*Emma: We didn't fight. I'll ask him what's up.*

*Genevieve: Don't you dare!!!*

Three exclamation points.

*Emma: Why not?*

*Genevieve: Don't enable him! His spoiled brat attitude is so annoying!*

Emma smiled at the message. Genevieve was an endearing sister. But she texted Sebastian anyway. *Hey, what happened? Where'd you go?*

After a long pause, he replied: *Hmph. So you finally noticed I was gone.*

Emma sighed. *I was reviewing tonight's performance.*

*Sebastian: Are you sure that's all you were doing?*

*Emma: Yes. What else would I be doing?*

Another long wait. *I didn't think anything... It's just, you ignored me all night. I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore.*

"You were at the show last night?" Emma asked, getting straight to the point.

He seemed taken aback. "Yes. A lot of the neighbors were going, and Anna wanted to see it, so I took her."

"Don't come anymore."

Something in his eyes shuttered. He forced a smile. "Did... did it bother you?"

"Yes," Emma said bluntly. "So, from now on, don't come to the shows. Don't deliver to the wellness center. Don't show up anywhere I might be."

She was tempted to tell him to move his bakery, too, but that felt excessive. It was Anna's shop as much as his.

He looked almost hurt. "The wellness center ordered the cake, I didn't just bring it... And I can't predict where you're going to be..." he explained weakly, but then he immediately nodded. "Okay. I understand. It won't happen again."

He turned to leave, walking past her without another glance.