Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 320

Cecilia’s eyes drifted to the necklace around Emma’s neck, and she clicked her tongue in disapproval. “And that necklace—honestly, Emma. You’re here as Theo’s guest, representing him. Yet you’re wearing some cheap glass trinket? The metal’s practically rusted. Aren’t you worried you’ll embarrass Theo?”

Emma touched the necklace in confusion. Glass trinket? Rusted metal? She was at a loss for words. It wasn’t as if she could just announce, “This necklace is worth three million,” in front of everyone.

By now, Theodore was only a few steps away, his gaze lingering on her necklace.

Cecilia went on, “But it’s fine, Emma. I know you don’t understand these things. You’re just an art student—dancing’s all you ever knew. And then, after the injury, you couldn’t even dance anymore. You’ve been shut away at home ever since, not knowing how to do anything, certainly not able to help Theo. I get it, I really do. Come on, let me introduce you to some people.”

With that, Cecilia reached for Emma’s hand, her grip so forceful that if Emma let herself be dragged away, she’d almost certainly stumble.

But Larson was steady beside her, holding her arm firmly so Cecilia couldn’t budge her.

Emma shook Cecilia off and stepped aside, her movements steady and sure.

“Wait, her leg looks perfectly fine, doesn’t it?” someone muttered nearby.

Suddenly, Cecilia darted forward and yanked up the hem of Emma’s dress, revealing the uneven heels she wore.

Emma’s mind went blank. Before she could react, she felt someone grab her hand.

It was her cousin.

His grip tightened, and the next thing Emma knew, he swung her hand, landing a stinging slap right across Cecilia’s face.

The slap was so forceful that Cecilia went sprawling onto the floor, landing at Theodore’s feet.

Cecilia had never suffered such humiliation from Emma before. She scrambled to her feet and fled behind Theodore, sobbing uncontrollably. “Theo, I really was just trying to help. Does Emma really hate me that much? I’ll just… I’ll stay far away from you from now on, I promise. I won’t say a word to Emma, ever again…”

That last line—“I won’t say a word to Emma”—hung in the air.

Theodore closed his eyes for a moment, then gently put himself between Cecilia and Emma. He offered Emma a faint smile. “You came tonight and didn’t even tell me you were coming. Why didn’t you let me know?”

By now, the commotion—the slaps, the shouting, the thuds—had drawn everyone’s attention. Jared and Hanley were already hurrying over.

Emma answered honestly, “What does it matter to you that I’m here? Why should I have to tell you?”

Theodore, though, took her words as a challenge, a sulking retort. After all, in this entire room, he was the only one she was even remotely connected to.