Chapter 27 – Bryden’s Abuse and the Affair Revealed

Spoiler Notice

This summary contains spoilers for Chapter 27 of She Didn't See It Coming. If you have not read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Detectives Jayne Salter and Kilgour visit Dr. Bonnie Sheppard, Bryden Frost’s family physician. Dr. Sheppard reveals that about a month before Bryden’s death, Bryden came to her with a cracked rib. Although Bryden claimed she fell down stairs, the doctor suspected the injury was caused by a kick and consistent with spousal abuse. Dr. Sheppard asked directly if her husband was hurting her, but Bryden denied it and left quickly after receiving pamphlets. The doctor expresses regret that she could not do more.

Meanwhile, Sam, Paige, Lizzie, and Clara go to a nearby park. Paige has been hiding something from Sam and finally tells him that Bryden was having an affair. Sam is shocked and angry. Paige admits she told the police about the affair, which she knew from Bryden three weeks earlier. She also reveals that the affair was with the man Bryden hit with her Tesla. Sam worries that the police will now see him as having a motive for murder. Paige reveals she did not tell the police about her own affair with Sam, hoping to protect him. The chapter ends with Sam realizing that sleeping with his wife’s best friend was a terrible mistake.

Key Events

Detectives interview Dr. Bonnie Sheppard, who confirms Bryden had a cracked rib that she suspected came from abuse.
Dr. Sheppard explains that patient confidentiality prevented her from reporting, and Bryden refused help.
Sam, Paige, Lizzie, and Clara go to the park to talk privately.
Paige tells Sam that Bryden was having an affair with the man she hit in the Tesla.
Sam fears the police will now consider him a suspect with motive.
Paige admits she withheld the news from Sam and told only the police.
Sam’s own secret affair with Paige is revealed, and he feels trapped.

Character Development

Jayne Salter: Shows persistence in investigating Bryden’s private life; treats the doctor with respect.
Dr. Bonnie Sheppard: Portrayed as caring but constrained by confidentiality; her regret humanizes the medical perspective on domestic abuse.
Sam: Learns of his wife’s infidelity and realizes his own affair with Paige now endangers him. His anger and fear reveal his selfishness and growing desperation.
Paige: Conflicted between loyalty to Bryden and her own involvement with Sam; her decision to tell the police but not Sam shows her struggle to control the narrative.
Lizzie and Clara: Though less visible, Lizzie’s suggestion that Clara return to day care highlights the adults’ attempt to restore normalcy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrets and Deception: Multiple layers of hidden truth—Bryden’s affair, Sam and Paige’s affair, and the suspected abuse—create a tangled web that the police must unravel.
Domestic Abuse: The cracked rib and the doctor’s suspicions bring the reality of spousal abuse into the story, suggesting a motive beyond the obvious.
Trust and Betrayal: Sam’s trust in Paige is damaged, and the reader sees how betrayal ripples through relationships.
The Innocence of Childhood: Clara playing in the sandbox contrasts with the adult turmoil, emphasizing the cost of the adults’ actions on the child.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter discloses two crucial secrets: the possibility that Bryden was abused by her husband, and the revelation that she was having an affair. Together, they multiply the number of suspects and motives. Sam’s affair with Paige adds another layer of deceit and potential motive. The chapter deepens the mystery by showing that almost everyone close to Bryden had something to hide.

Study Questions

How does Dr. Sheppard’s testimony change the investigation’s direction?
It introduces Sam as a potential abuser and thus a possible killer, and it suggests Bryden had been living in fear. The police now have a clear motive for Sam: she may have been planning to leave him, or he may have feared exposure.
Why does Paige wait to tell Sam about Bryden’s affair?
Paige says she knew Sam would be upset and she wanted to protect him from the pain. However, her delay also allows her to control the information and avoid revealing her own affair with Sam.
What does Sam’s reaction reveal about his priorities and character?
Sam’s immediate fear is not grief but the police suspecting him. His anger at Paige for telling the police shows his self-centeredness. His inner thought that he must be “careful with Paige” reveals his willingness to manipulate.