Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 464

"Your cultural knowledge is surprisingly broad, Theodore," Emma remarked dryly.

She lived in the UK too, and she'd never heard of such shows.

"Anna watches them," he said, his expression still flat.

A moment of silence passed.

"Is Sebastian good to you?" he asked suddenly.

Emma considered the question. "Yes, he's very good to me."

"That's good," he said quietly.

The silence returned, thick and strange. The sounds of the city—honking cars, distant sirens—seemed to fade, leaving them in a bubble of quiet. Emma checked her phone. Four minutes until her ride arrived. The car's icon was stuck in traffic. She considered going back inside the restaurant to wait.

Just as she was about to turn, Theodore spoke again. "He's a dancer, like you. You share a passion. You can grow together in your careers. That's good."

What was he getting at? As if sensing her confusion, he offered a faint smile. "It's nothing. I just wanted to wish you well. I hope you'll always be happy."

"Of course," Emma said, her voice firm. "I will be."

Theodore smiled again, a smile as faint and fleeting as a cloud.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Layton muttered from his perch on Theodore's shoulder, poking him in the chest. "Listen to you. Sour grapes much? Wishing her happiness. I feel sorry for you."

The smile was so odd, so final, it felt like a true farewell. Emma stood frozen on the sidewalk, unsure if she should have said goodbye back. The window rolled up, and she missed the sight of his eyes, red-rimmed in the dim light of the car, and the storm raging in his chest where Layton's words had struck home.

This was a deeper kind of hurt, a private and profound ache.

-

Emma's car arrived six minutes later. She got Renee situated, dropped her off at her apartment, and then headed home. She had never considered that she might be unsafe in Cresthaven. The sources of her past danger were all gone. Even Latham hadn't been worried. She had been out with Renee every day since her return without incident.

But tonight was different. After sending Renee safely inside, she returned to her own building. The moment the elevator doors closed, a hand clamped over her mouth and nose.

Two figures, their faces obscured by hats and sunglasses, had been waiting inside.