Chapter 35: Real Life – A Turning Point for Sabrina

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The morning after the group learns of Harriet and Wyn’s breakup, Sabrina has vanished. Parth admits they argued and she left. While searching, Harriet and Cleo find Sabrina at a secluded chapel where her parents once married. Sabrina confesses she fears being left behind now that Harriet and Wyn are apart—she thought Harriet was phasing out the friend group. Harriet reassures her that she belongs with her friends regardless of romantic relationships. Cleo then reveals she is pregnant, sparking joy and laughter. Sabrina decides to return to Parth, finally choosing to confront her fear of abandonment. The chapter ends with Sabrina smiling at the chapel, seeing the beauty of what was made rather than what broke.

Key Events

The group returns to a quiet house; Sabrina is missing.
Parth reveals he and Sabrina fought after the breakup news.
The group splits up to search; Harriet and Cleo check usual spots.
They drive to a remote wedding chapel after Harriet recalls Sabrina’s story about her parents.
Sabrina is found sitting alone inside the chapel.
A raw conversation unfolds: Sabrina admits she felt Harriet was cutting ties with the group because Harriet and Wyn had split.
Harriet and Cleo each affirm that their friendship is permanent, beyond any romantic relationship.
Cleo announces her pregnancy to Sabrina, leading to a joyful, tearful reunion.
The three friends swap silly confessions, lightening the mood.
Harriet encourages Sabrina to go back to Parth; Sabrina agrees, saying she wants to marry him.
Sabrina leaves the chapel smiling, focusing on the happy memory of her parents’ wedding day.

Character Development

Harriet: Shows maturity by owning her role in pushing people away ("I pushed him away the same way I did to the rest of you"). She directly confronts Sabrina’s fears and takes responsibility for the secrecy.
Sabrina: Displays unexpected vulnerability. Her tough exterior cracks when she admits she’s scared of being left behind. Her arc moves from running to choosing to return—a sign of bravery.
Cleo: Steps up as a steady member of the trio. Her pregnancy reveal is timed perfectly to break the tension and reinforce the theme of new beginnings.
Parth (offstage): Though not present in the chapel, his earlier confession that he expected Sabrina to leave shows his own insecurity and love for her.
Wyn: Plays a supportive but minimal role—searching with Parth, checking in via text.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Found family vs. blood family: Sabrina contrasts her parents’ divorce with the permanence she feels with Harriet and Cleo. The chapel—where her parents were happy—becomes a space where she reframes that memory.
Fear of abandonment: Both Sabrina and Harriet grapple with the idea that love can disappear. The chapter resolves that fear through direct conversation and promises.
Permanence in change: Cleo’s pregnancy, the group’s shifting relationships, and the "real life" after vacation all underscore that relationships can change shape without ending.
The chapel as a symbol: It represents the ideal of a happy beginning, but also the bittersweet truth that even beautiful marriages can end. Sabrina learns to hold both truths.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 35 is the emotional climax for Sabrina’s storyline. It resolves the tension that has been brewing since the group’s secret came out. By having Harriet and Cleo physically find Sabrina and verbally reassure her, the chapter reinforces the novel’s central message: that true family is chosen and can survive lies, distance, and change. It also sets up the final act of the book, as the friends begin to heal and look toward the future—including Cleo’s baby and Sabrina’s wedding.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Sabrina run to the chapel instead of a friend’s house or a hotel?
She runs to the chapel because it holds a happy memory of her parents before they divorced. It’s a place that feels like her—permanent and untouched by later pain. She goes there to postpone "the inevitable" (goodbyes and change), not to escape permanently.

2. How does Harriet’s explanation of her own family history help Sabrina?
Harriet explains that in her family, arguments ended with people leaving; she understands Sabrina’s fear of being abandoned. By sharing that insight, Harriet validates Sabrina’s feelings and helps Parth (and the reader) see that Sabrina’s running is not rejection but a learned defense.

3. What does Cleo’s pregnancy reveal add to this scene?
Cleo’s news shifts the mood from heavy grief to joyful surprise. It reminds the friends that even when things fall apart, new life and new reasons to celebrate can emerge. The reveal also deepens the theme of "for-life" family—Cleo calls them "best family" right before dropping the pregnancy bombshell.