Chapter 35: 4:00 a.m. — The Fire Engulfs the Riva House

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This summary and analysis covers the events of Chapter 35, titled “4:00 a.m.”, and explores how the Riva party finally collapses under its own weight, while Tarine Montefiore makes a life-changing decision in the middle of the chaos.

All claims are based on the chapter text provided.

For the next chapter, see Chapter 36.

Now, let’s dive in.

Summary

At four in the morning, Tarine Montefiore stands behind the record player with Greg, her paramour, and reflects on the marriage proposal he made earlier that day.

She has always preferred older men, a preference she traces to her father, David Montefiore, a brilliant linguistics professor who was twenty years older than her mother.

Tarine believes that because of her father’s influence, she understands the world in ways that men her own age cannot match.

She is drawn to Greg’s rougher skin, the gray in his hair, and the decades of cigarettes on his tongue—all signs of age that make her feel youthful by contrast.

In this reflective mood, Tarine imagines a future with Greg.

She would retire from modeling, plan a wedding and honeymoon, travel, and eventually settle into a Santa Barbara Spanish–style home in Beverly Hills.

She is adamant about having no children.

She also envisions a second act: a daytime talk show offer she has already received, or perhaps designing an aerobics line.

She believes Greg would support any endeavor she chooses.

As she smiles at this vision, she leans over and tells Greg that if they marry, she will not always be faithful, and she does not expect him to be either.

Greg accepts this condition.

She promises to stay by his side for the rest of their lives, and he says that is all he wants.

They kiss and declare their love, and she agrees to marry him.

The moment is shattered when someone flings a Waterford crystal vase into the kitchen’s sliding doors, sending a million tiny pieces across the floor.

Tarine decides the party must end.

She looks for Nina, but cannot find her.

She searches for any of Nina’s siblings—Kit, and presumably the others—and finds none.

Brandon is also gone.

Vanessa approaches, saying she has been looking for Kit for half an hour and cannot find anyone.

Tarine realizes she will have to take charge.

She asks Greg to turn off the music.

He does, but the guests barely react.

The party continues: models cry in corners, rock stars smoke on the stairs, writers fight in the dining room, pop stars have sex in bathrooms, studio executives pass out on sofas, surfers vomit on the lawn, actors throw wineglasses, TV stars wear Nina’s clothes and pocket her jewelry, and one child actor lies in the fallen chandelier singing “Heart of Glass.”

Vanessa suggests dismissing the caterers and bartenders to cut off the alcohol.

Tarine agrees, and they tap every bartender and cocktail waitress on the shoulder, sending them home.

But when the last one leaves, the party shows no discernible difference.

Tarine yells that the party is over, but only Kyle Manheim runs out, sheepishly waving goodbye to Vanessa.

The rest ignore her.

Vanessa asks if anyone cares about anything other than themselves, and Tarine calls them revolting.

Greg suggests they leave, saying it is not their problem.

Just then, a bullet comes through the living room door and hits the mirror above the fireplace.

Tarine, Vanessa, and Greg duck.

They see Bridger Miller holding a rifle, his other hand raised as if to show he means no harm.

He claims he found the gun in a trunk upstairs and thought it shot BBs.

Tarine yells for everyone to leave or she will call the police.

Two girls run out.

Seth Whittles, hearing the gunshot, rushes in and grabs the rifle from Bridger, yelling that he could have killed someone.

Bridger walks away, uninterested.

Seth tells Tarine and Vanessa to call the cops.

Vanessa picks up the kitchen phone but struggles to explain the situation without getting Nina in trouble.

Tarine takes the phone and requests multiple police units to 28150 Cliffside Drive, describing a party of over two hundred people that has gotten out of control.

Key Events

Tarine accepts Greg’s marriage proposal after negotiating terms of non-monogamy and lifelong commitment.
A crystal vase is thrown into the kitchen doors, shattering and signaling the party’s escalation.
Tarine discovers that Nina, all the Riva siblings, and Brandon have disappeared, leaving no one in charge.
Greg turns off the music, but the guests continue their destructive behavior.
Tarine and Vanessa dismiss the caterers and bartenders, but the party remains out of control.
Bridger Miller fires a rifle, hitting a mirror above the fireplace.
Seth Whittles confiscates the rifle and urges the women to call the police.
Tarine calls the police, requesting multiple units and giving the Cliffside Drive address.

Character Development

Tarine Montefiore

In this chapter, Tarine moves from a passive observer of the party to an active, if reluctant, authority figure.

Her decision to marry Greg reveals a pragmatic view of love: she values companionship and support over exclusivity.

Her preference for older men, rooted in her father’s influence, shapes her attraction to Greg’s age and experience.

She also demonstrates a clear sense of self, planning a second act beyond modeling and insisting on no children.

When the party spirals, she steps up to try to end it, first by cutting the music, then by dismissing staff, and finally by calling the police.

Her frustration with the guests’ selfishness shows a moral line she draws between her own choices and the destructive excess around her.

Greg

Greg accepts Tarine’s terms without hesitation, showing his devotion and flexibility.

He supports her decisions, even suggesting they leave when the chaos becomes overwhelming.

His willingness to accept non-monogamy underscores his commitment to Tarine above conventional expectations.

Vanessa

Vanessa acts as Tarine’s ally in trying to control the party.

She suggests dismissing the caterers, helps send staff home, and attempts to call the police but struggles to articulate the problem without implicating Nina.

Her wink at Kyle Manheim as he leaves hints at a personal connection, but her primary role is to support Tarine’s efforts.

Seth Whittles

Seth emerges as a voice of reason, confiscating the rifle and urging the women to call the police.

His reaction to Bridger’s careless gunplay highlights the danger of the party’s recklessness.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Non-Monogamy and Commitment

Tarine’s proposal negotiation redefines marriage as a partnership based on loyalty and presence rather than sexual exclusivity.

Her promise to stay by Greg’s side for life becomes the core of their agreement, contrasting with the fleeting, self-indulgent behavior of the party guests.

Aging and Youth

Tarine’s attraction to older men is tied to her father’s influence and her own desire to feel youthful.

She appreciates Greg’s physical signs of age, which make her feel young by comparison.

This theme also appears in her plan to retire from modeling, a career often associated with youth, and pursue a second act.

Celebrity Excess and Loss of Control

The party’s destruction—vases thrown, mirrors shot, chandeliers fallen—symbolizes the unchecked excess of the celebrity world.

The guests’ refusal to leave despite Tarine’s commands shows how quickly a glamorous event can devolve into chaos when no authority is present.

Host Abandonment

The absence of Nina and her siblings leaves the party without a responsible host.

Tarine and Vanessa step in, but their efforts are futile, highlighting the consequences of the Rivas’ disappearance.

Gun Violence and Police Intervention

The rifle shot marks a turning point, transforming the party from a nuisance into a genuine threat.

Tarine’s call to the police signals the end of the night’s impunity and foreshadows legal consequences for the attendees.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 35 is a pivotal moment in Malibu Rising because it marks the definitive collapse of the Riva party and the beginning of its aftermath.

Tarine’s personal decision to marry Greg provides a counterpoint to the chaos, showing that some characters are seeking stability even as others destroy the night.

The chapter also underscores Nina’s absence, raising questions about where she and her siblings have gone and what will happen when they return.

The gunshot and police call escalate the stakes, ensuring that the party’s consequences will ripple beyond the night itself.

Tarine’s role as an unwilling authority figure highlights the theme of responsibility, and her actions set the stage for the novel’s climax.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Tarine decide to marry Greg despite her insistence on non-monogamy?

Tarine values Greg’s support and companionship more than sexual exclusivity.

She believes he will be a good partner in her future plans, including her second act, and she is willing to promise lifelong presence even if she cannot promise fidelity.

Her attraction to older men, rooted in her father’s influence, makes Greg’s age a positive trait.

The agreement they reach allows her to maintain her independence while gaining a committed partner.

How does Tarine’s attempt to control the party reflect her character?

Tarine initially tries to stop the party by cutting the music and dismissing staff, showing a practical, if naive, approach.

When these measures fail, she escalates to yelling and finally to calling the police.

Her frustration with the guests’ selfishness reveals a moral judgment that separates her from the revelers.

She is willing to take responsibility when no one else will, even though she is not the host.

What does the gunshot symbolize in the context of the chapter?

The gunshot represents the final breakdown of order and the danger of unchecked excess.

Bridger Miller’s careless handling of a real rifle shows how the party’s recklessness can turn deadly.

It also forces Tarine to involve the police, ending any pretense that the night can be contained.

The shattered mirror above the fireplace is a literal break in the glamorous facade, signaling that the consequences of the party will be impossible to ignore.