Chapter Seven: Justice – Chapter 10 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ 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

Lark Montague is in an old textile factory she has converted into a personal music retreat. She is in the process of encasing Patrick O'Neill in epoxy resin inside a plexiglass casket to create a coffee table. Patrick is a teacher who groomed students, and Lark delivers her own form of justice while crafting the piece. She reflects on her need to keep her vigilante side secret from her best friend, Sloane. Lark then completes the kill, reciting the names of Patrick's victims as he suffocates in the golden resin.

After cleaning up, she dresses in an ivory satin pantsuit for her wedding to Lachlan Kane. Sloane picks her up, expressing deep concern about the sudden marriage. On the way to Boston City Hall, they encounter Lark's aunt, Ethel, who has arrived with Lachlan. Ethel gives Lark her old wedding ring, a dark yellow diamond, as a "something old" gift. Despite Lark's objections that her older sister Ava should have it, Ethel insists.

At the city clerk's office, Lachlan and Lark exchange vows. Lachlan whispers a promise in Irish before kissing her. Lark feels the weight of her decision, realizing she is "choosing love" but not her own. The ceremony is witnessed by Sloane, Rowan, and via FaceTime by Rose and Fionn.

Key Events

Lark kills Patrick O'Neill by encasing him in epoxy resin inside a plexiglass casket, turning his body into a coffee table as a trophy.
Lark confesses her internal mantra: the less Sloane knows, the safer she is.
Lark prepares for her wedding, getting dressed in an ivory satin pantsuit with a strapless lace corset.
Sloane picks up Lark and drives to Boston City Hall, expressing worry about the marriage.
They encounter Ethel and Lachlan outside; Ethel is delighted to be involved.
Ethel gives Lark her vintage diamond ring, a family heirloom.
The wedding ceremony takes place with Lachlan and Lark exchanging vows; Lachlan whispers in Irish and kisses Lark deeply.
Lark internally reflects that she is choosing love, but not her own.

Character Development

Lark: This chapter reveals Lark's vigilante identity fully, showing her capacity for cold-blooded murder in the name of justice. Her motivation is rooted in protecting children, but she also admits to keeping trophies. Her internal conflict is acute: she hates lying to Sloane but believes it keeps her safe. On her wedding day, she feels both fierce and terrified, showing deep emotional vulnerability beneath her defiant exterior.
Lachlan Kane: Though seen only through Lark's eyes, Lachlan is composed and unexpectedly tender. He whispers an Irish vow, kisses her reverently, and shows a longing that surprises Lark. His “hot and kind of sad” demeanor suggests hidden depths and personal pain.
Sloane Sutherland: Appears as a protective best friend who is suspicious of the marriage. She offers to leave if needed, showing loyalty. Her threat to remove Lachlan's eyes with a rusty spoon underscores her own violent capabilities and deep care for Lark.
Aunt Ethel: Despite being elderly and dying, Ethel is sharp, opinionated, and determined. She gives Lark the ring against her protests, implying she sees Lark's hidden strength and approves of the choice. Her line “choosing love is what it takes” becomes a key theme here.
Patrick O'Neill: A minor character but significant as Lark's victim. He is a groomer and pedophile, shown as cowardly and manipulative even in his final moments.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Justice vs. Revenge: Lark explicitly calls her actions “justice, but make it sparkly.” She views her killings as righteous punishment for child predators, not mere murder. The DIY coffee table trophy underscores her methodical, aesthetic approach to revenge.
Marriage as a Strategic Choice: The wedding is not based on love but on a plan to keep Sloane safe and investigate her family's danger. Ethel's speech about “choosing love” is ironic: Lark is choosing love for her friend and family, not romantic love.
Secrecy and Protection: Lark keeps her obsessive hobby hidden from Sloane to protect her from danger. This motif of protective secrecy drives the plot and creates internal conflict.
Symbolism of the Golden Resin: The “sparkly” resin and glitter represent Lark's attempt to beautify violence. The final product is a shiny, golden block that hides a corpse, echoing how Lark's life appears glamorous but conceals darkness. The ring Ethel gives her is also a symbol, linking past and present choices.
The Rose: Lark sprays adhesive onto white roses and covers them in glitter, creating a visual contrast between beauty and decay. The rose may symbolize the fragility of innocence and the way Lark transposes violence onto art.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a pivotal turning point. It fully unveils Lark's dual identity as a vigilante killer, establishing her moral code and methods. It also completes the setup for the marriage plot, moving Lark from reluctant participant to active decision-maker. The emotional weight of the chapter—from the cold execution to the tender wedding—sets up the central conflict of the story: how two damaged people can build trust and love while hiding dangerous secrets. Lark's internal mantra about Sloane's safety and her choice to “choose love not her own” foreshadows future sacrifices and betrayals.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Lark kill Patrick O'Neill in such a elaborate, artistic way? What does this reveal about her character?
Lark kills Patrick by encasing him in epoxy resin inside a plexiglass casket, turning his body into a glittery coffee table. This reveals her need to control the narrative of justice—she wants to be seen as an artist of retribution, not a mere murderer. It also shows her pragmatism: she combines her hatred for predators with her love of DIY, making trophies that serve a purpose. Her methodical planning and lack of remorse indicate she sees herself as an executioner rather than a killer.
How does Sloane's relationship with Lark change after this chapter?
Sloane remains unaware of Lark's vigilante identity, but she senses Lark is hiding something and is deeply worried about the sudden marriage. Their dynamic is tested by Lark's secrecy; Sloane's offer to turn around and her threat to blind Lachlan show her protective loyalty, but the lies create distance. This chapter sets up a future reckoning when Lark's secrets eventually come to light.
What does Ethel's gift of the ring symbolize for Lark's journey?
The ring is a family heirloom meant to be passed down. Ethel gives it to Lark despite Ava being the older sister, implying Ethel sees Lark as deserving of it in a different way. The ring represents tradition and the act of “choosing love”—Ethel's speech emphasizes that love is a choice, not just a feeling. For Lark, accepting the ring signals her commitment to her own choice (the marriage) even though it is not a love match. It also ties Lark to her family legacy, making her feel more anchored even as she takes a radical step.