Chapter 38 Summary – Ava’s Stolen Moments and Eli’s Confession

⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This summary and analysis contains key plot details from Chapter 38 of God of War (Deluxe Edition). Read only if you are comfortable knowing what happens in this chapter.

Summary

Three days after Ava stated in the bathroom that she wants a child, she and Eli have been enjoying an idyllic escape—beach, hiking, sex—while Ava tries to conceive. She believes her mental state is rapidly deteriorating and wants to imprint every memory. Eli reveals he knew all along that she was the one cooking for him and that he read her six-year-old confession letter, which he recites by heart. Ava is embarrassed but also hurt when Eli describes his feelings for her as “obsession and possession” rather than love. She returns home two days later after a work call, reeling from the realization that Eli may never love her. While practicing cello, she receives a call from Vance, who claims Eli framed him and was involved in the disappearance of her university friend Oliver. The phone slips from her hand as the implications crash over her.

Key Events

Ava and Eli spend three days together after her declaration about wanting a baby; she tries to get pregnant through frequent sex.
Eli admits he knew Ava was the one cooking for him and that he ate her discarded cake.
He recites Ava’s teenage confession letter word for word, revealing she wanted three children and two dogs.
Eli explains that his interest in Ava began as mild opportunism, grew into obsession and possession, but he does not claim to love her.
Ava feels devastated by the lack of love and returns home after Eli is called away for work.
Vance calls Ava from the airport, stating that Eli had him kicked out of the UK on criminal charges and that Eli was likely involved in Oliver’s disappearance.
Ava drops the phone as memories resurface.

Character Development

Ava: Her desperation to have a child stems from a fear of losing her mind; she wants to leave a permanent mark. She is vulnerable, ashamed of her past letter, yet hopeful for love. The call from Vance shatters her trust.
Eli: Shows a softer side by remembering the letter and prioritizing Ava’s health over heirs. However, his emotional detachment remains: he admits to obsession but not love.
Vance: Appears as a catalyst, revealing Eli’s ruthless side and allegedly framing Ava’s husband for Oliver’s disappearance.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Memory and forgetting: Ava’s desperation to imprint moments contrasts with Eli’s perfect recall of her letter; she fears losing her memories again.
Obsession vs. love: Eli distinguishes between the two, and Ava must accept that she may never receive love from him.
Sacrifice: Eli refuses to let Ava risk pregnancy, putting her health above dynasty.
Trust and control: Vance’s call implies Eli has been controlling Ava’s life far more than she knew.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Ava’s perception of Eli. She finally hears his honest assessment of their relationship—obsession, not love—and is forced to confront her own hopes. The phone call from Vance introduces a major plot twist: Eli may have been involved in Oliver’s disappearance, suggesting a darker, manipulative side to his “protection.” The confession letter also deepens their backstory and shows how long Ava has loved him.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ava want to get pregnant so urgently, despite her mental instability?
Ava believes her time is limited and that she will soon suffer a complete breakdown, perhaps worse than the one that cost her two years of memory. She wants to leave a legacy—a child—and to engrave her moments with Eli in case she forgets again.

2. How does Eli’s recitation of the confession letter affect Ava, and what does it reveal about his feelings?
Ava feels mortified that Eli memorized the letter, but she also sees it as proof that he has always paid attention to her. Yet when he later describes his feelings as “obsession and possession” but not love, Ava realizes the letter did not lead to romantic love. This shatters her hope.

3. What is the significance of Vance’s phone call at the end of the chapter?
Vance claims Eli framed him and was involved in Oliver’s disappearance. This forces Ava to question whether Eli’s control over her life is benevolent or sinister. The call ties the romantic plot to a larger mystery and sets up conflict for the coming chapters.