Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 444

He didn’t want to admit how perfect they looked together, how their movements harmonized, how right they seemed in each other’s arms. The sharpest pain came from the realization that she *could* still dance—but the person helping her achieve that dream wasn’t him.

He was supposed to be the one. He was the one who had wanted, more than anything, to see her back on stage. He was the one who would have done anything to lift her up, to make her shine.

For five years, over 1,800 days, he had told himself and her a thousand times: *Emma, I want what’s best for you more than anyone.*

But in the end, he had chosen the worst possible way to show it. He thought providing for her, giving her a life of luxury and comfort, was what it meant to take care of her. He never once considered that she wasn’t a pet to be kept. He never thought that she might want her own sky to fly in.

Now, someone else was lifting her into that sky.

She was so radiant, so dazzling, just like she had been at sixteen, doing a series of backflips to join their class for a group photo. Did she even know that in that moment, she had been the center of everyone’s universe?

She was finally back to being that girl.

That night, he watched the video over and over, scrolling through every last comment. Everyone was praising her, and despite himself, an unbearable pride swelled in his chest. *That’s my Emma. That’s her. She’s that wonderful. She deserves all the love in the world…*

The phone was suddenly snatched from his hand. “Give it back!” he roared.

“Do you have any idea what time it is? You’ve been staring at that thing for five hours. And it’s Christmas! The least you could do is wish your old man a Merry Christmas so I can give you your gift. You think you get presents for free?”

“I don’t want your gifts! I told you, I’m only here to see you to your grave. I don’t want anything from you! Now give me back my phone!” He lunged for it.

Robert glanced at the screen and chuckled. “Oh, watching your wife, are we? Oh, wait. Ex-wife.”

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