Chapter Twenty-Seven: Parents Discover Grant Shepard's Presence

⚠️ 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

Helen's parents visit the set and receive VIP treatment from the crew. Suraya introduces them warmly. Helen enjoys showing them her work life and takes them to dinner afterward. At the restaurant, her mother checks a production email and sees Grant Shepard listed as a writer for an episode. The parents are furious that Helen has been working with the boy who caused their elder daughter's death. Helen tries to explain but they leave her at the restaurant. Devastated, Helen drives to Grant's house. He comforts her, but she insists their relationship must end. Grant confesses he loves her. Helen admits she feels the same but believes a future together is impossible. They share a final, anguished kiss, and Helen leaves.

Key Events

Helen's parents spend the day on set, impressed by the production and Helen's role
Suraya gives Helen early dismissal to treat her parents to dinner
At the sushi restaurant, Helen's mother sees Grant Shepard's name on a production email
The parents confront Helen, accusing her of keeping secrets, then leave the restaurant
Helen drives to Grant's house in Silver Lake and tells him what happened
Grant argues that they are adults who don't need permission
Helen insists the relationship was always meant to be temporary
Grant confesses he is in love with Helen and begs her not to end things
Helen acknowledges she feels the same but says they cannot be together
They share a long, emotional kiss before Helen leaves for good

Character Development

Helen Zhang – She finds unexpected comfort on set, connecting with crew members. Her confrontation with her parents forces her to confront the unresolved grief and guilt she carries. Her decision to end the relationship shows her prioritizing family loyalty over her own desires, even as she admits she loves Grant.
Grant Shepard – He evolves from a casual partner to a man deeply in love. His raw vulnerability when he begs Helen not to leave and his repeated "I love you"s reveal a tenderness he has hidden. His acceptance of her decision, despite his pain, shows growth.
Helen's Mom – Her discovery triggers immediate anger and hurt. She cannot separate Grant from the tragedy, viewing his presence as a betrayal.
Helen's Dad – Initially proud and supportive, he becomes quiet and disappointed, telling Helen she should have told them.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and its Consequences – The entire chapter revolves around Helen hiding Grant's involvement from her parents. When the secret breaks, it destroys the harmonious family moment.
Forbidden Love – The relationship between Helen and Grant is framed as doomed by their shared past. Grant argues they need no one's permission, but Helen believes the burden is too heavy.
The Set as a Comfort Zone – Earlier in the chapter, Helen describes set life as unexpectedly appealing—a place where people do skilled work and she can connect. This contrasts sharply with the emotional chaos of family dinner.
Physical Touch as Communication – Grant's kisses and embraces convey what words cannot; Helen's final kiss is a farewell laced with love she cannot voice.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point. The secret relationship Helen and Grant maintained is exposed to the one audience Helen most feared: her parents. Grant's love confession forces Helen to acknowledge her own feelings, yet she chooses to end things, believing the past makes a future impossible. The chapter sets up the central emotional conflict for the remainder of the story: can love survive grief, guilt, and family obligation?

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Helen react so strongly when her mother confronts her about Grant? Helen has been dreading this moment since she learned Grant was on the show. She knows her parents have never healed from the loss of their elder daughter. Seeing the hurt in their eyes confirms her worst fear: that her involvement with Grant feels like a betrayal of her family's grief.

2. What does Grant's argument that "we don't need permission from anyone but each other" reveal about his perspective? Grant sees their relationship as a matter between two consenting adults, separate from the past. He believes Helen's parents can be won over with time. His statement shows he values the present connection over the historical tragedy, but he underestimates the depth of Helen's family loyalty.

3. Why does Helen insist the relationship must end even though she admits she loves Grant? Helen believes their connection is tainted by their shared history. She worries that part of why they are drawn together is a "fucked-up thing in our past." She prioritizes what she perceives as her family's emotional well-being over her own happiness, concluding that any relationship built on such a foundation cannot be healthy.