Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 523

Sebastian sat between his parents, looking thinner and paler than she remembered. With his eyes downcast, he seemed much more subdued, almost like a stranger.

“You’re here! Please, sit,” Mrs. Remington said, gesturing warmly to the empty chairs.

“Thank you, Mrs. Remington. Good evening, Mr. Remington,” Emma said as she, her aunt, and Larson sat down across from them.

The moment he saw Emma, Sebastian’s eyes reddened, but with his parents there, he only managed a quiet, “Emma.”

“Hello, Sebastian,” Larson replied with detached politeness.

The two families settled in for dinner, exchanging pleasantries that danced around the elephant in the room. A subtle, heavy tension hung in the air as they all avoided the real reason for their meeting.

Finally, Mrs. Remington broke the silence with a soft sigh. Her gaze flickered between Emma and her son before she addressed the matter at hand. “Emma, dear, the main reason for this dinner is… well, for our family to formally say goodbye. We’re planning to take Sebastian back home. The family business is demanding, and his sister can’t manage it all on her own.”

Mr. Remington, who had been silent until now, spoke with an air of finality that left no room for debate. “Let the past be the past. Young people are prone to impulsiveness. When we get back, we’ll have him start at the bottom of the company. It’s time for him to settle down and get rid of… certain notions he shouldn’t have.”

While Mrs. Remington had used the family business as a gentle excuse, Mr. Remington’s words were a more direct, albeit still veiled, declaration.

His message was for Sebastian as much as it was for Emma.

It was a statement, a clear line being drawn in the sand. His son, a Remington, would not cling to someone who didn't want him, and Emma should extinguish any lingering hopes. They were to have no more involvement with each other.

Sebastian, his head still lowered, shot a quick glance at Emma before looking away again.

While Emma held no more illusions about their relationship—a breakup was inevitable—a wave of sadness still washed over her. She had genuinely cared for Sebastian. As his father’s words sank in, the plates and glasses before her blurred into a hazy mirage. “Well, then… I wish you all a safe journey back.”

Not a single word of protest, not a plea for him to stay.

Sebastian looked at her, and this time, the tears finally spilled over, glistening in his eyes.

Emma’s aunt and Larson were masters of polite conversation. With the main issue resolved, the dinner devolved into a superficial exchange between the parents, who chatted about everything and nothing—the weather, the local sports team, anything but what truly mattered.

They were all perfectly cordial, but it was a friendliness less sincere than a business negotiation, where at least both parties shared a goal of cooperation.

Emma wondered what Sebastian’s parents thought of her. They probably blamed her for what happened to their son. She couldn't fault them for it; what parent wouldn't side with their own child?

The dinner, painstakingly maintained under a fragile peace, finally concluded.

Mrs. Remington rose from her chair with a smile. “Thank you all so much for coming tonight. It’s brought this matter to a perfect close. Regardless of everything, please do keep in touch.”

“From now on…” He paused, his voice catching in a sob. “From now on… you keep dancing.”

Emma turned her head away, a stinging sensation rising in her eyes. “You too. Take care of yourself.”

Sebastian tried to force a smile, but it looked more painful than a grimace. Defeated, he lowered his head, mumbled a hasty “Goodbye,” and quickly got into the car.

As the car pulled away, the Remingtons rolled down their windows and waved a final farewell.

It was finally over.

The next day, Emma returned to the rehearsal studio, rejoining her fellow dancers. She poured everything she had into her movements, dancing with a frantic, liberating energy.

In the dance, she found her release. In the dance, she found her happiest self again.

When the new term began, a letter from Theodore arrived at her aunt's house. It was a postcard with a small, typewritten snippet pasted on the back.