Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 495

CRASH! A cascade of shattering sounds cut him off.

With a single, powerful spinning kick, Sebastian had swept an entire shelf of decorative items to the floor.

“I don’t need your advice! Just make sure you’re gone by tomorrow!” he snarled, then stormed out.

The floor was a mess of broken pottery and glass.

Anna came over and whispered, “Are we… are we really closing?”

“Yes,” Theodore said, crouching down to pick up the pieces. “We’re closing.”

A look of sadness crossed her face as she knelt to help him. “But…” She trailed off, saying no more.

That same day, the Cookie House put up the sign offering everything for free. News spread quickly through the neighborhood, and soon the shop was empty. When concerned customers asked where they were moving, Theodore just smiled and said, “We might not reopen. Thank you for everything.”

When Sebastian returned to the studio, the rehearsal was already underway with the understudy in his place.

“Baby, I’m back!” he announced with his signature sunny smile, giving Emma a quick hug. He then clapped his hands to stop the music. “I’ll take it from here,” he told the understudy.

The rehearsal resumed. Emma walked over to the young man who had just stepped aside and handed him a bottle of water. “You did a great job today.”

He smiled shyly. “Thanks, Director.”

“Don’t call me that. I’m just a few years older than you and managed to get a group of people who love dance together,” Emma said.

“He’s just the understudy. What is there to collaborate on?” Sebastian pouted.

A wave of frustration washed over her. “Weren’t you an understudy once?”

“And so what?” Emma found his logic absurd. “You think every man who looks at me is going to…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence. It was too humiliating.

“That’s not what I meant…” Sebastian took her hand. “I just think… if you’re too nice to him, he might fall in love with you, just like I did.”