he end of the performance , the actors brought bouquets of fresh flowers down to the children in the audience . Watching the kids ' faces light up as they accepted the flowers , Emma felt a sudden rush of emotion - something about the passing of a torch , the connection between generations . Her seat was right in the front row . When the leading man climbed down from the stage , he smiled warmly and handed a bouquet directly to her . Emma was taken aback , caught off guard for a moment . She didn't even react until Ms. Brown nudged her , and only then did she clutch the flowers and manage a quick , " Thank you , " to the actor . " Thank you for coming to my show , " the leading man replied with a bow before returning to the stage . On the way home , Ms. Brown glanced over and asked if she remembered who that leading man was . Emma drew a blank . " He graduated from our academy , just two years after you . He's the principal performer at the Cresthaven Performing Arts Troupe now , " Ms. Brown said , smiling . So , he was a junior from her old school . " Don't you recall that showcase a few years ago ? You were the female lead , and he was the understudy for the male lead . The main actor got injured , so he stepped in . Ring any bells ? " Ms. Brown prompted . Emma dug through her memories - vaguely , yes , she could recall the incident now . " He's principal performer now . That's wonderful ... " Emma couldn't help feeling a pang of bittersweet regret . But honestly , she was genuinely happy for her fellow students . Ms. Brown gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze . " There's no finish line , Emma . " Emma nodded firmly . " I know , Ms. Brown . " She'd already decided : it was time to start again . Tonight was exhilarating - her first time back in a theater in five years . Even after she got home , her heart was still racing . 1/3 11:50 Chapter 25 She arranged the bouquet in a vase , snapped a picture , and posted it to her social feed with the caption : Tonight belongs to my passion and my greatest love . After that , she removed her makeup , got ready for bed , and tried to sleep . Countdown to leaving Theodore : 29 days . Tonight , she'd rediscovered what she loved . She assumed Theodore wouldn't come home tonight - he so rarely did anymore - but in the middle of the night , the sound of the front door woke her . When Theodore came into the bedroom , the smell of alcohol hit her instantly . He'd been drinking again . He staggered around so much he banged into a chair , making a racket - just how much had he had tonight ? He didn't even bother to shower , just collapsed onto the bed . The smell was overwhelming . Emma couldn't bring herself to say anything - not about his drinking , not about taking a shower . She was too tired to fight . But she couldn't stand the stench , either . She got up , meaning to sleep in the guest room . She was just reaching for the doorknob when Theodore's voice came from behind her . " Where are you going ? " She ignored him and opened the door . Then the bed creaked - Theodore actually got up , banging into the chair again as he crossed the room and grabbed her wrist . " Where do you think you're going instead of sleeping ? " " I'm going to the guest room . Let go of me , " she said , trying to pull free . But wrestling with a drunk was pointless - the harder she tried , the tighter he held on . In the end , her efforts were futile . " Come on , stop making a scene . Why bother ? If you'd just apologized sooner , I wouldn't have embarrassed you , " he slurred , breath thick with alcohol . Emma blinked in disbelief . What was that supposed to mean ? He made it sound like she'd already apologized . " When did I ever apologize ? " she shot back . She hadn't even seen him all day, let 2/3 11:50 Chapter 25 alone apologized . Theodore let out a soft , mocking laugh , the words sticky with inebriation . " Tonight belongs to my passion and my greatest love ... That's why I came home . If you'd just admit you were wrong a little sooner , I wouldn't hold it against you ... " Emma stared at him in astonishment . He seriously thought her social post was about him ? Theodore , what on earth is going through your mind? " Emma ... " Suddenly, he pulled her into a hug . " I know . I know you love me . You'd do anything for me . So , no matter what happens , I'll never let you down in this life ... " Chapter 26 For a moment , Emma was dazed . He wasn't wrong .