Chapter 47 No one could have predicted it : Sebastian turned out to be Grandma's former student . He was in town for a charity performance at the local elementary school , and as fate would have it , he had bumped into Grandma right after getting out of the car . The two chatted all the way home together . That's how he ended up witnessing Emma dancing that afternoon . Years ago , Sebastian was the boy who used to sulk in secret under the old oak tree , devastated when he couldn't master his dance steps . Now , not only was he strong enough to lift her in a pas de deux , but he could even turn around and use her own words from back then to gently tease and encourage her . Sebastian couldn't stay long - he had another show that afternoon - so he only sat in Grandma's living room for a little while , sipping a glass of water before heading out again . Before he left , they made plans : after the performance , he'd come back for dinner . That afternoon , something inside Emma had been rekindled - a dancer's spirit she thought she'd lost . She spent the entire afternoon in her practice studio , restless and alive . She ran through a few simple drills , but her stamina faded quickly . She would rest , sitting on the polished floor to catch her breath , then try again . Over and over , she repeated the cycle until the afternoon slipped away and Sebastian returned , just as promised . When Sebastian arrived , she was still in the studio . She'd just finished another round and was now sitting on the floor , flushed and breathless , sweat clinging to her brow . " Hey , coach ! " he called , beaming as he entered . He dropped to the floor cross - legged , sitting across from her . " Was the performance a huge success ? You look thrilled , " Emma said , catching the bright spark in his eyes - brighter , she thought , than even the crimson sunset outside . He grinned . " It went well , but that's not what I'm happy about . " Emma could guess what he meant , so she didn't press further . " I heard the sound of life coming back , " he said , eyes shining . She frowned slightly , not understanding . 1/3 11:55 Chapter 47 He moved his arms lightly , mimicking the flutter of butterfly wings . " The sound of breaking free . Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon . " Now she understood - he meant her , dancing again after all these years . But could this really be called dancing ? Even a moth would look more graceful than she did right now . " Don't be so hard on yourself . You haven't practiced in five years , but today was already amazing - really , really beautiful . If you don't believe me , I'll show you . " Sebastian pulled out his phone , found their chat thread , and hit send . So he'd recorded their dance today . " My phone's not here , " Emma said , holding up her empty hands . " Then watch on mine ." He handed her his phone , letting her see the video . Emma watched herself on the screen , shaking her head and smiling wryly . Once , she had been called the Little Linnet - how could she let herself dance so clumsily now ? " You were beautiful . You'll always be the most beautiful Miss Butterfly to me . Sure , maybe there are flaws , but you're breaking free , growing new wings . I mean it , coach ... " Sebastian's reassurance couldn't erase her frustration at seeing herself dance like that , but it echoed something she'd been feeling deep down : she would grow new wings . Life didn't have to revolve around dancing alone . She moved over to the window , letting the golden sunset bathe her face . She smiled - a brilliant , radiant smile that seemed to glow even brighter in that warm light . That's when Theodore walked into the studio . He caught sight of her , her smile more dazzling than the sunset itself , and saw her and Sebastian , their heads close together , watching something on a phone . In five years of marriage , Theodore had never stepped foot in this studio . It had always been closed up ; he'd assumed it was just a storage room . He took in the scene : the empty glass - walled studio , the ballet barre , the wall of mirrors , Emma in her leotard , and the two of them huddled close over a phone . His expression darkened immediately . Emma sensed the shift - the pressure in the room seemed to mount , suffocating and inexplicable . She glanced up to see Theodore standing in the shadows , still wearing 2/3 11:55 Chapter 47 the same clothes from yesterday . Really ? He hadn't come home all night ? Not even changed his shirt ? Was he so devoted to looking after Cecilia that he hadn't even bothered to change ? He looked awful - drawn and tired , hair rumpled . As he stepped toward her , the sunset behind him seemed to catch fire , its reflection burning in his eyes . " I've been calling you all day . Why was your phone off ? " His voice was tight , clearly fighting to keep his temper in check . Emma stared at him , not understanding his anger . Wasn't he supposed to be too busy to even call ? Now he was upset her phone was off ? He'd spent the night caring for Cecilia , and she hadn't complained - what right did he have to be angry ? " Oh . I didn't expect you to call ." Her tone was cool as she looked out the window at the fading sun . Surely , it was the sunlight that stung her eyes - not the smudged lipstick on his collar and the faint , unmistakable mark along his neck .