Not in Love Chapter 32: Let's Try to Make It Right
⚠ Spoiler Notice
This summary contains major plot details from Chapter 32 of Not in Love, including Florence’s admission and the decision to act. If you haven’t read the chapter yet, proceed with caution.
Summary
Rue has just learned that Florence admitted to stealing Eli’s work—a piece of technology whose patent was falsely awarded years ago. She rushes to Tisha’s apartment to process the news, barely interrupting Tisha and her boyfriend Diego’s private time. Tisha is stunned and skeptical, asking repeatedly if Rue is certain. Rue confirms she heard the admission directly from Eli. Tisha raises possibilities like a stroke or folie à deux, but Rue remains firm about what was said. Diego, who takes the news in stride, shares a lighthearted moment with Rue as he retreats to the bedroom.
Alone with Tisha, Rue feels relieved to unburden herself. Tisha acknowledges that while they both love Florence and owe her much, the theft is not a minor mistake—it destroyed someone’s career. They must do something. Rue imagines what she would want if her own patent had been stolen: someone on her side helping to make it right. That thought gives them direction: they decide to try to make it right, even without solid proof. Rue realizes they aren’t the best people to solve this alone, and a spark of an idea comes to her—someone else can figure out what to do.
Key Events
- Rue arrives at Tisha’s apartment unannounced, interrupting Tisha and Diego.
- Rue tells Tisha that Florence admitted to stealing Eli’s patent.
- Tisha initially questions the certainty of the confession, considering alternative explanations (stroke, misunderstanding, bias).
- Diego calmly accepts Rue’s presence and supports Tisha’s line of questioning before leaving.
- Rue and Tisha agree that they cannot ignore the injustice and must take action.
- Rue realizes she knows someone who can help figure out the right course of action.
Character Development
Rue experiences a shift from disbelief to resolve. She carries the weight of Florence’s betrayal throughout the chapter and finally shares it, finding relief in Tisha’s company. Her moral compass remains intact: she refuses to protect Florence at the expense of Eli’s ruined livelihood. The small, wistful laugh at the end suggests she has an idea—one that likely involves confronting the problem head-on with someone more capable.
Tisha acts as the thoughtful skeptic, forcing Rue to be certain before moving forward. She balances loyalty to Florence with a clear sense of right and wrong. Her commitment to “try to make it right” shows she values justice over convenience, and she trusts Rue’s judgment even without hard evidence.
Diego appears as a supportive, unflappable presence. His brief interaction with Rue reveals a playful side that helps cut the tension, and he respects Rue’s need to speak privately with Tisha. He is a stabilizing influence in Tisha’s life.
Florence (off-screen) is the source of the central conflict. Her admission—though not detailed in the chapter—confirms years of stolen credit and undermines the trust Rue and Tisha had in her.
Eli (mentioned) is the victim whose work was appropriated. His hope for restitution is the reason Rue and Tisha feel compelled to act.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Justice versus loyalty: Rue and Tisha struggle with the tension between their affection for Florence and the moral imperative to correct a wrong. They choose action, even though it risks their relationship with her.
- Making amends as a collective effort: The chapter’s title is echoed in Tisha’s declaration. The act of “making it right” is not something Rue can do alone; she needs allies—first Tisha, then the unnamed person she thinks of.
- Intellectual property as a life force: The theft of the patent is framed not just as a legal violation but as the destruction of “someone’s hopes and dreams and entire career.” The language elevates IP theft to a profound violation of self.
- Support systems: Tisha’s home and relationship with Diego become a safe space for Rue to break down. The normalcy of Diego making coffee (inferred) or petting Bruce the cat contrasts with the crisis.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point where passive knowledge becomes active intent. Rue has known about Eli’s stolen work for a few chapters, but now she has Florence’s admission (via Eli) and must decide what to do. The chapter cements her commitment to justice over silence. It also deepens Tisha’s role as a co-conspirator rather than merely a friend. The hint that Rue knows exactly who to consult next drives the plot forward and sets up the resolution arc of the final chapters.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Rue go to Tisha’s apartment right after learning the truth?
Rue needs to share the burden of what she knows. Tisha is her closest friend and the only other person who fully understands the complicated history with Florence. She craves support and validation before deciding how to act.
2. What does Rue say she would want if her patent had been stolen?
Rue says she would want Minami (presumably a mutual colleague or authority figure) to help make it right—even after ten years, even if Minami wasn’t the one responsible. This answer directly inspires their decision to take action.
3. Who is the person Rue thinks of at the end of the chapter?
The text does not explicitly name the person, but context suggests it is likely Eli himself or someone with legal or institutional power who can help correct the patent fraud. The chapter deliberately leaves it ambiguous to create suspense for the next chapter.