Never Say Never Chapter 12: Oona Returns to New York

Spoiler Notice

This summary and analysis contains detailed events from Chapter 12 of Never Say Never by Danielle Steel, including plot developments that may spoil the reading experience for those who have not yet read this chapter.

Summary

Oona’s first day back in New York is a whirlwind of calls catching up with Gail, Will, and Meghan, and setting important legal and professional wheels in motion. She contacts her lawyer to initiate a divorce from Charles, hoping for a clean split, and discusses jointly owned property like the East Hampton house. She also reaches out to three headhunters about editorial jobs, only to learn that the publishing industry is contracting due to the pandemic, with many layoffs and few openings. That evening, Charles calls Oona in deep grief: Roberto has died of COVID-19 after a brief illness contracted during a weekend trip to Brazil. Charles, who must quarantine and test negative before flying, is devastated. Soon after, Will calls to announce he and Heather married in Golden Gate Park that day, with only a friend officiating. Ouna is heartbroken to have missed her son’s wedding and questions the impulsiveness of the decision. When Charles later tells Oona he plans to stay in their New York apartment upon returning, she firmly refuses and informs him she wants a divorce, making clear their marriage is over. The chapter ends with Oona exhausted by the two men in her life—Charles and Will—but finding comfort in Ashley, who remains a stable, loving presence.

Key Events

Ouna calls Gail, Will, and Meghan to announce she is home in New York.
She contacts a lawyer to begin divorce proceedings from Charles.
She speaks with three headhunters and learns that publishing jobs are scarce due to COVID-related layoffs.
Charles calls Oona sobbing — Roberto died of COVID after a rapid decline; he had been intubated and placed in a coma but did not survive.
Charles must quarantine for five days before testing negative and returning to New York.
Will calls to say he and Heather married in Golden Gate Park with only a friend officiating; Oona is shocked and hurt.
Charles later tells Oona he plans to stay at their apartment; Oona refuses and reiterates her desire for a divorce.
Oona reflects on Ashley’s support and feels he is the one stable force in her life.

Character Development

Oona: becomes proactive — she calls a lawyer, explores job options, and sets firm boundaries with Charles. Her grief over missing Will’s wedding reveals her depth as a mother, but her resolve to move forward with her own life strengthens.
Charles: is shattered by Roberto’s death, showing a vulnerable, grieving side. Yet his assumption that he can simply return to Oona and revive their marriage reveals a persistent lack of self-awareness and entitlement.
Will: acts impulsively by marrying Heather without family present, demonstrating youthful naivety and a desire for independence. His decision wounds Oona and strains their relationship.
Ashley: remains a calming, emotionally mature presence. He counsels Oona to support Will’s marriage despite her feelings, highlighting his own growth from a past failed marriage.
Heather: is only heard through Will’s description — euphoric and supportive of the small wedding, though Oona suspects manipulation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Death and Grief in the Pandemic: Roberto’s sudden death encapsulates the randomness and speed of COVID-19, especially for young, healthy individuals. The inability to hold a funeral and the secrecy around his sexuality add layers of tragedy.
Marriage as a Contested Institution: Three different marriages are examined — Oona and Charles’s (ending), Will and Heather’s (beginning under suspicion), and Oona and Ashley’s (emerging). The chapter questions what makes a marriage valid: legality, family presence, love, or timing.
Home and Belonging: Oona’s return to New York and her reluctance to sell the East Hampton house symbolize her struggle to reclaim a sense of place after Charles left. Charles’s assumption he can still live in the apartment shows his failure to understand that the marriage’s physical home no longer exists for Oona.
Control vs. Surrender: Oona attempts to control her future through divorce proceedings, job searches, and setting boundaries, while events like Will’s marriage and Charles’s return plans force her to surrender to circumstances beyond her control.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 12 is a turning point that accelerates the novel’s central conflicts. Roberto’s death removes the immediate obstacle to Charles’s return, forcing Oona to confront her ex-husband’s presumption that their marriage can be resurrected. Will’s surprise wedding pushes Oona further into emotional turmoil and tests her relationship with her son. The job market reality underscores the precariousness of Oona’s independence. Together, these events compel Oona to assert her agency more firmly than ever: she hires a lawyer, refuses Charles’s return, and relies on Ashley for support. The chapter solidifies the theme that the past cannot be undone, and that moving forward requires painful boundaries.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Oona refuse to let Charles stay in the apartment after he returns from Argentina? Oona has already called a lawyer and initiated divorce proceedings. She believes the marriage ended when Charles left for Roberto, and Roberto’s death does not change the fact that Charles shattered her trust. She will not allow him to simply move back in and pretend the past year didn’t happen.

2. How does the pandemic shape the major events of this chapter? COVID-19 directly causes Roberto’s death, forces Charles to quarantine, and has devastated the publishing industry, making job hunting nearly impossible. The pandemic also drives Will and Heather to marry in a small outdoor ceremony because City Hall is closed — a symbol of how the crisis accelerates life decisions.

3. What does Will’s decision to marry without his family reveal about his character? Will’s impulsive marriage shows he is determined to assert his independence from his parents, especially his mother. He may have feared Oona would talk him out of it, so he chose a secret, immediate ceremony. This decision wounds Oona but also highlights Will’s immaturity and his need to forge his own path.