Chapter 37 Summary: Gareth Confronts His Family and His Demons

Spoiler Warning: This summary contains detailed spoilers for Chapter 37 of Kiss the Villain.

Summary

Gareth lies in his childhood bedroom at his parents’ house, recovering from the injuries he inflicted on himself during his captivity. His mother’s overwhelming emotions grate on him, but he is relieved when she leaves to cook. His father, Asher, and his grandfather remain, pressing him for the truth about what happened. Gareth admits that he was never truly kidnapped—he hurt himself to purge something from his blood. Asher reveals he has long suspected Gareth’s violent tendencies, recalling an incident when ten‑year‑old Gareth tried to drown a boy named Gilbert. Gareth confesses that he killed David, Harper’s father, and his grandfather covered it up with help from Senator Baltimore—the same man who raped and murdered Cassandra, Kayden’s wife. The conversation forces Gareth to disclose his relationship with Kayden Davenport. His grandfather is furious, believing Kayden manipulated him, but Gareth insists the affair is over. Later, Killian and Glyn visit. Killian feigns indifference but clearly worried about Gareth during his disappearance. Gareth resolves to get over Kayden and, when he does, to kill him with his bare hands.

Key Events

Gareth reveals that he hurt himself intentionally, not because of a kidnapping.
Asher explains that he has known about Gareth’s violent nature since he was eight or nine.
Gareth admits to murdering David; his grandfather confesses that Senator Baltimore used evidence of the murder to blackmail him.
The family learns that Baltimore was the man who killed Cassandra, leading to Kayden’s campaign of revenge.
Gareth comes out about his relationship with Kayden, identifying him as a man in his thirties.
His grandfather threatens to send people to kill Kayden, but Gareth says they are finished.
Killian and Glyn visit; Killian’s protective actions during Gareth’s disappearance are revealed.
Gareth ends the chapter vowing to kill Kayden once he is over him.

Character Development

Gareth undergoes a major shift in self‑awareness. He confronts the void inside him that has driven his violent urges and realizes that Kayden temporarily filled that emptiness. Now, with the relationship over, the void feels deeper than ever. He also shows a new willingness to be honest with his father about his true nature and his sexuality.

Asher (Gareth’s father) is revealed to have quietly observed and understood his son’s darkness for years. Instead of condemning him, he accepts Gareth completely and admits he destroyed evidence to protect him. His calm, unwavering support marks a turning point in their relationship.

Grandfather feels guilty for involving Baltimore and is fiercely protective of Gareth. His anger toward Kayden stems from a belief that Gareth was used, yet he still shows a glimpse of humor during their argument.

Killian, though absent for most of the chapter, is shown to be fiercely loyal. He launched a full‑scale search for Gareth and threatened the Serpents’ territory, confirming the twisted but deep bond between the brothers.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The Void – The recurring image of a hollow emptiness inside Gareth symbolizes his lack of empathy and his need for a consuming obsession. Killing David once filled it; Kayden filled it more completely. Its return represents his emotional devastation.

Self‑Harm – Gareth’s self‑inflicted injuries are a physical manifestation of his internal poison. He tries to cut out the influence of Kayden, just as he once tried to purge David’s blood.

Possession and Belonging – Both Gareth and Killian view each other as belonging to one another. Gareth says Killian exists for him, and no one else is allowed to hurt him. This possessive frame extends to Kayden, whom Gareth cannot release even after the breakup.

Family Secrets – The chapter layers generations of hidden truths: the grandfather’s cover‑up, Asher’s silent knowledge, and Baltimore’s blackmail. Secrets erode trust but also bind the family together.

Coming Out – Gareth’s casual admission of his attraction to a man contrasts with the explosive reaction from his grandfather. The scene highlights the tension between acceptance and protection within the family.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the emotional core of Gareth’s arc. It pulls back the curtain on his violent history, his relationship with his father, and the depth of his obsession with Kayden. By revealing the David murder and the Baltimore connection, it ties together the novel’s separate plotlines and explains Kayden’s true motive. Gareth’s vow to kill Kayden once he is over him sets up a powerful conflict for the remaining story.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Gareth say he hurt himself, and what does his father’s response reveal about their relationship?
Gareth says he was trying to get rid of something in his blood that was poisoning him. His father immediately responds, “Then you should’ve hurt them, not yourself,” showing that Asher not only accepts Gareth’s violent nature but also wants him to direct it outward. This acceptance allows Gareth to finally be honest about his past and his feelings.
How does the revelation about Senator Baltimore affect the family’s understanding of Kayden’s actions?
Learning that Baltimore raped and murdered Cassandra reframes Kayden’s revenge. His grandfather’s involvement with Baltimore means Kayden’s interest in Gareth was at least partly strategic, which fuels the grandfather’s anger. Gareth, however, sees Kayden’s actions as understandable—he says his father would do the same for his mother, creating a parallel between the two men.
What does Gareth mean when he says the void is back, “ten times worse than before”?
Gareth describes an inner emptiness that he used to fill by killing and, more recently, by being obsessed with Kayden. Now that he believes Kayden only used him as a stand‑in for Cassandra, the void returns more intensely. This explains his escalating despair and his decision to harm himself, as well as his final threat to kill Kayden once he is emotionally free.