Chapter 25: Wes — Summary, Analysis, and Key Moments

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

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This page covers Chapter 25 (Wes's POV) in the chapter numbering, which is the 27th chapter overall.

For the previous chapter, see Chapter 26 summary.

For the next, see Chapter 28 summary.

Now, let's dive in.

Summary

The chapter opens with Wes waking at 4:30 AM, a habit from ranch life, and finding Ada curled around him like a koala. She had come to his bed around 11:30 PM the night before, after returning to the Big House past ten. Wes has been waiting for her to wake for almost an hour, and he reflects that he's been waiting for her his whole life. When Ada stirs, he kisses her neck and tattoos, and she groans, wanting to stay asleep. He tells her it's Ryder Day, a family tradition celebrating the day his parents met. Ada asks what that is, and Wes explains that his mother rolled into town in a beat-up Volkswagen Cabriolet, his father came to her rescue, and she told him to fuck off. They married the next year under the oak tree behind the house. Ada says it sounds like a movie. Wes describes the day: lots of food, and the ranch hands get the day off. It's a day for family, but as his dad says, family is more than the one you're born with. So Teddy and Hank (her dad) will be there, Cam might come, and Dusty and Aggie might join. Wes asks Ada to come, and she accepts after he pins her hands and says please. They begin to get intimate, but Ada's phone buzzes. Wes hands it to her, assuming it's Evan, her colleague. But Ada looks at the screen and the color drains from her face. She whispers that it's her ex-husband. Wes asks if they're in contact, and Ada says no. She explains that the last time they spoke, she told him good night, and when she woke up the next morning, he had left. Divorce papers arrived a week later. Wes wraps her in his arms, telling her she didn't deserve that. Ada thanks him and then shares something she's never told anyone: that day they went out, Wes had said he wanted to know something no one else knows. She confesses that when she woke up and he was gone, she felt relieved. She was deeply sad afterward, but not because she was grieving the relationship—she was grieving all the parts of herself she lost or gave up in the name of comfort. She chose to prioritize a false sense of security over herself. She admits she was ashamed, that she let him control every aspect of her life because she lacked confidence and a sense of ownership. She didn't even know their debit card PIN. She thinks Chance wanted power over somebody, and she mistook that for being cared for. Wes holds her tighter, and they stay in bed together, with Wes trying not to think about how empty his arms will feel without her.

Key Events

Ada spends the night in Wes's bed, and he wakes early to wait for her.
Wes introduces Ada to Ryder Day, a family tradition celebrating his parents' first meeting.
Ada accepts Wes's invitation to attend Ryder Day.
Their intimate moment is interrupted by a phone call from Ada's ex-husband, Chance.
Ada reveals the painful story of her marriage's end: he left without warning, and divorce papers came a week later.
Ada confides in Wes that she felt relief when her ex left, and she grieves the parts of herself she lost.
She admits she mistook her ex's desire for power as being cared for, and that she had no autonomy in the marriage.
Wes comforts her, and they remain in bed together, deepening their emotional bond.

Character Development

Ada undergoes a significant emotional revelation in this chapter. Her reaction to the phone call—the color draining from her face—shows that her ex still has a visceral impact on her, even though she claims they have no contact. Her confession to Wes is a major step in her healing. She articulates a nuanced understanding of her past: she wasn't grieving the relationship but the loss of her own identity. She admits to prioritizing comfort over happiness, and she recognizes that she mistook control for care. This self-awareness is a sign of growth, and her willingness to share it with Wes demonstrates increasing trust and vulnerability.

Wes shows his supportive and protective nature. He doesn't react with jealousy or insecurity about the call; instead, he's concerned about Ada's reaction. He offers comfort without pushing for details, and his physical embrace provides a safe space for her to open up. His internal reflection—that he admires her fierceness even more now that he knows what she's overcome—shows his deepening appreciation for her. His final thought about his arms feeling empty without her hints at his growing emotional dependence on her, which contrasts with Ada's past dependency.

Chance (though not present) is characterized through Ada's memories as controlling and power-seeking. He left without a word, which underscores his emotional unavailability. Ada's description of not even knowing the debit card PIN illustrates the extent of her lost autonomy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Ryder Day serves as a symbol of chosen family and tradition. Wes explains that Ryder Day is for family, but family is more than the one you're born with. This theme of chosen family is central to the novel, and Ada's invitation to join the celebration signals her acceptance into that circle. The day also represents a healthy, loving relationship—Wes's parents met and married under an oak tree, a stark contrast to Ada's failed marriage.

Comfort versus happiness is a key theme. Ada explicitly says she chose comfort over happiness, prioritizing a false sense of security over her own well-being. This distinction highlights the difference between settling for safety and pursuing genuine fulfillment.

False sense of security is another motif. Ada believed she was secure in her marriage, but it was an illusion. She gave up control of her life, even her debit card PIN, in exchange for a feeling of safety that wasn't real.

Mistaking control for care is a painful realization for Ada. She thought her ex's controlling behavior was a form of love, but she now understands it was about power. This theme ties into her healing and her ability to recognize what genuine care looks like—as Wes demonstrates.

Vulnerability and trust are evident in Ada's confession. She shares something she's never told anyone, and Wes responds with empathy, not judgment. This moment deepens their connection and shows that trust is built through such honest exchanges.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Ada's character arc and for the development of her relationship with Wes. It provides crucial backstory that explains her guardedness and her journey toward self-ownership. Her confession is a turning point: she moves from being a victim of her past to an active participant in her own healing. Wes's reaction proves he is a safe partner, one who doesn't exploit her vulnerability but instead offers comfort and acceptance. The chapter also introduces Ryder Day, which will likely play a role in bringing Ada into the family fold. By inviting her, Wes signals that she is becoming part of his chosen family, a significant step in their relationship.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Ryder Day symbolize for Wes, and why is it significant that he invites Ada?

Ryder Day symbolizes family, tradition, and the idea that family is chosen, not just biological. Wes explains that his parents met on that day, and it's a celebration of their love story. By inviting Ada, he is including her in a deeply personal family ritual, indicating that he sees her as part of his family. This is a major step in their relationship, as it shows he wants her to be part of his life in a meaningful, long-term way.

2. How does Ada's confession about her ex-husband reveal her growth as a character?

Ada's confession shows she has gained self-awareness and is no longer in denial about her past. She acknowledges that she let her ex control her life and that she mistook his desire for power as care. She also recognizes that she chose comfort over happiness, which is a painful but honest admission. This self-reflection indicates she has grown from her experience and is now able to articulate what went wrong, which is a crucial step in healing and moving forward.

3. In what ways does Wes's reaction to Ada's phone call demonstrate his suitability as a partner?

Wes's reaction is supportive and non-judgmental. He doesn't get jealous or angry about the call; instead, he focuses on Ada's well-being. He asks if she's okay and offers physical comfort. He tells her she didn't deserve what happened, validating her feelings. He also listens without pressing for more information than she's ready to share. This shows he is emotionally mature, secure, and caring—qualities that contrast sharply with her ex's controlling behavior.