Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 497

Sebastian, however, was in a hurry, tugging at her arm. “Come on, let’s just go. We’re here every day, we don’t need to say goodbye.”

Emma found his behavior odd. “How can we just leave without saying anything? That’s so rude.” He came from a prestigious family; this was completely out of character for the usually polite man she knew.

Meanwhile, the nurses continued their discussion. “Oh my god, who would do that? Did the owner call the police?”

“No,” the last nurse said. “The old lady said it was a young man, someone she thought she’d seen on the street before. He was very aggressive, smashed a bunch of stuff, and then just left. Right after that, the shop put up the ‘free’ sign.”

Hearing this, a sudden, dreadful clarity washed over Emma. She looked at Sebastian, praying her suspicion was wrong.

But when Sebastian turned and strode quickly toward the exit, she knew. She hadn’t been wrong.

He didn’t go far, just waited for her outside.

Emma said nothing as she silently followed him back to the rehearsal space. Sebastian trailed behind her, also silent.

Once they arrived, Emma immediately started the rehearsal. The festival was fast approaching—their flights to Edinburgh were already booked. The only thing that mattered now was practice.

After the group rehearsal ended, Emma stayed behind as usual, pushing herself to the absolute limit, pouring all her frustration and exhaustion into her movements until she finally collapsed onto the studio floor, too tired to move.

When she finally recovered enough to head home, she realized that for the first time, Sebastian wasn’t there. He hadn’t texted, hadn’t called, hadn’t left any message.

She stood at the university entrance, but he was nowhere in sight.

“Miss, we’re home,” Allen said softly from the front seat.

Emma woke up in a daze, momentarily confused to see Allen. Then she remembered: Sebastian had stormed off, and he hadn’t come to pick her up.

“Okay, thank you both. You’ve worked hard,” she said, opening the car door.

“It’s our job, Miss,” Allen said, quickly getting out to hold the door for her.

From a window in the house next door, someone was watching.