Chapter 35 Summary — Key Events 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.
Skip to summary if you prefer to avoid analysis first.
Skip to study questions for quick review.
Back to previous chapter | Next chapter
Summary
Phoebe wakes up with a pounding headache and a terrifying sense of déjà vu. She’s tied to a chair in a small, dusty room with boarded-up windows and empty bookshelves. The space feels abandoned, nothing like Evie’s apartment. As her memory returns, she recalls the struggle in Chelsea’s apartment—how Chelsea choked her until she nearly blacked out. Phoebe realizes she’s been kidnapped by Chelsea Alton, the woman who had been posing as Evie.
When Chelsea enters, Phoebe tries to stay calm and nonconfrontational. She asks what’s happening, and Chelsea explains that Phoebe wasn’t the intended target at Nate’s party. Chelsea had drugged Vanessa’s drink, but Phoebe accidentally grabbed it and drank it. Later, when Phoebe was under the influence, she babbled to Chelsea about Owen’s actions—specifically, how Owen had framed Brandon Weber. Chelsea reveals that she sees Owen as just another “toxic boy” who needs to face consequences, and so she decided to target Phoebe instead. Phoebe is horrified to learn that her own drugged confession made her a target.
Phoebe asks about Reggie and Bronwyn, hoping to gauge Chelsea’s intentions. Chelsea acknowledges Bronwyn’s intelligence but doesn’t confirm or deny Reggie’s fate. Phoebe’s mind races with the possibility that Jake might be working with Chelsea, but she’s more terrified of Jake than of Chelsea herself.
A man’s voice calls out from elsewhere in the house—Gavin. Chelsea explains that Gavin helped bring Phoebe to this location: her family’s old, empty childhood home. She mentions that she wanted to keep “everyone in one place,” implying that other captives are being held there. Before leaving, Chelsea warns Phoebe that the room is soundproof and that screaming won’t help. She tells Phoebe she’ll see who else is there, then closes the door, leaving Phoebe alone with her fear.
Key Events
-
Phoebe wakes up tied to a chair in an unfamiliar, abandoned room.
-
Chelsea reveals that Phoebe was not the intended victim at Nate’s party; Vanessa was, but Phoebe accidentally drank the drugged drink.
-
Phoebe learns that her drugged confession about Owen’s actions led Chelsea to target her instead.
-
Chelsea explains her motive: she’s “sick to death of toxic boys” and sees Owen as another Brandon Weber.
-
Phoebe asks about Reggie and Bronwyn; Chelsea acknowledges Bronwyn’s intelligence but gives no clear answers.
-
A man named Gavin calls for Chelsea, revealing an accomplice.
-
Chelsea discloses that they are in her family’s old, empty house, and that Gavin helped bring Phoebe there.
-
Chelsea implies that other people are being held captive in the same house.
-
Chelsea leaves Phoebe alone, saying she’ll see who else is there.
Character Development
Phoebe shows remarkable resilience in the face of terror. Despite being tied up and alone, she forces herself to breathe deeply and think clearly. Her instinct to stay nonconfrontational—even avoiding the word “kidnapped” out loud—demonstrates her survival instincts. She’s also deeply protective of her friends, asking about Reggie and Bronwyn even while in danger. Her fear of Jake is telling: she admits she’s more afraid of him than of Chelsea, which hints at Jake’s greater threat and Phoebe’s intuition about the larger conspiracy.
Chelsea is revealed to be cold, calculating, and exhausted by her double life. She admits that pretending to be “Little Miss Perfect” at Café Contigo all summer has drained her. Her motive is rooted in a twisted sense of justice—she wants to punish toxic boys, but her methods are cruel and indiscriminate. She shows no remorse for drugging Vanessa or kidnapping Phoebe, and she treats Phoebe’s confession as justification for her actions. Her decision to bring Phoebe to her childhood home suggests a personal, almost nostalgic connection to her crimes.
Gavin appears only briefly, but his presence confirms that Chelsea has an accomplice. His urgent call about a “situation” hints that the plan is unraveling, and that other captives may be involved.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Identity Deception: Chelsea’s dual identity as Evie is central to the plot. Her ability to fool everyone at Café Contigo underscores the theme of hidden identities and the danger of trusting appearances.
Revenge and Consequences: Chelsea’s motive—punishing toxic boys—echoes the novel’s broader exploration of revenge. She sees Owen as a repeat of Brandon Weber, and her actions are a twisted attempt to correct a wrong. This raises questions about whether revenge ever truly solves anything.
Isolation and Fear: The abandoned childhood home symbolizes isolation and the past. Phoebe is physically isolated, and the soundproof room amplifies her helplessness. The setting also hints at Chelsea’s own hidden past, suggesting that her actions are rooted in personal trauma.
Mistaken Target: Phoebe’s accidental drugging highlights how random and unfair violence can be. It also shows how a single mistake can have life-altering consequences.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It reveals Chelsea’s motive and confirms that she is the kidnapper, while also introducing an accomplice (Gavin) and the possibility of multiple captives. The revelation that Phoebe’s drugged confession led to her targeting adds a layer of tragic irony—she inadvertently caused her own kidnapping. The chapter also raises the stakes by implying that Reggie and possibly others are being held in the same house, setting up the climactic rescue. Phoebe’s fear of Jake suggests that the true mastermind may still be at large, keeping readers on edge.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why did Chelsea target Phoebe instead of Vanessa?
Chelsea originally drugged Vanessa’s drink, but Phoebe accidentally drank it. While under the influence, Phoebe confessed to Chelsea about Owen’s actions, which made Chelsea see Phoebe as complicit in creating another “toxic boy.” Chelsea decided to punish Phoebe instead, viewing her as a more direct target.
- What does Phoebe’s fear of Jake reveal about the threat he poses?
Phoebe admits she is more afraid of Jake than of Chelsea, even while tied up. This suggests that Jake is a more dangerous and unpredictable figure, possibly the mastermind behind the larger scheme. It also shows Phoebe’s intuition that the situation is bigger than just Chelsea’s revenge.
- How does the setting of Chelsea’s childhood home contribute to the chapter’s atmosphere?
The abandoned, dusty house with boarded windows and cobwebs creates a sense of decay and isolation. It’s a personal space for Chelsea, hinting at her troubled past and making the captivity feel more intimate and sinister. The soundproof room amplifies Phoebe’s helplessness, emphasizing the theme of isolation.
Continue Reading
-
Previous Chapter: Chapter Thirty-four