Chapter 25 (Chapter 23): Confronting the Babysitter and Uncovering Veronica Chesson

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

Summary

Naomi prepares for a five o’clock appointment with her lawyer, Ezra, at his office. Babysitter Rosita arrives at four to pick up Naomi’s son, Teddy. Before they leave, Naomi asks Rosita if she truly believes Naomi is an unfit mother — a claim Jeremy made at mediation. Rosita insists Naomi is a wonderful mother but refuses to discuss it further, tearfully saying she does not want to lose her job. Naomi suspects Jeremy threatened Rosita. After Rosita leaves, Naomi receives a text from her friend Cora containing the full name and address of Jeremy’s supposed mistress: Veronica Chesson. Naomi Google the name but finds no strong social-media presence, and the address is in the wealthy suburb of Scarsdale, two hours away — suggesting it is outdated. Ezra calls to cancel due to being stuck at court; they reschedule for him to come to Naomi’s house that evening, and he agrees to bring dinner from an organic café.

Key Events

Naomi asks Rosita directly about Jeremy’s claim that Rosita will testify against her.
Rosita confirms Naomi is a good mother but refuses to elaborate, implying Jeremy pressured her to lie.
Cora sends Naomi the name “Veronica Chesson” and an address in Scarsdale.
Naomi’s online search yields no useful information; the woman has almost no social media footprint.
Ezra cancels their office appointment and agrees to visit Naomi’s home instead, picking up food from a health-conscious café.

Character Development

Naomi: Continues to uncover layers of manipulation. She shows assertiveness by confronting Rosita and by pressing for more evidence about Veronica. Her distrust of Jeremy deepens, but her reliance on Ezra also grows — she jokes about house calls and food preferences, revealing a tentative comfort with him.
Rosita: Torn between loyalty to Naomi and fear of losing her job. Her tearful plea suggests Jeremy has exploited her economic vulnerability, but she remains unwilling to testify against Naomi.
Jeremy: Though absent from the scene, his behind-the-scenes control is stark. Threatening a long-time employee’s livelihood to gain leverage in custody demonstrates a calculated, cold side.
Ezra: Flexible and accommodating, willing to go out of his way to meet Naomi. His willingness to discuss food choices humanizes him and hints at a possible personal connection beyond the lawyer‑client relationship.
Veronica Chesson: Remains an enigma. Her lack of online presence and outdated address raise questions about whether she is who Jeremy claims she is — or if she even exists.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Control through financial dependency: Jeremy’s alleged threat to fire Rosita directly echoes his earlier opposition to Naomi working. Money becomes a tool to silence and coerce those around him.
The illusion of transparency: Naomi assumed she knew Rosita well, but now realizes Rosita may have been hiding Jeremy’s pressure. Similarly, Veronica’s near-invisible digital footprint suggests a carefully maintained identity — or a fabrication.
Food as a relational signal: Naomi’s insistence on organic, healthy food contrasts with Ezra’s casual pizza offer. Their negotiation over dinner choices mirrors their cautious dance between professional distance and personal intimacy.
Home as both refuge and battleground: Naomi’s home becomes the setting for her legal consultation — a space she thought was safe now infiltrated by the custody dispute.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Naomi’s search for truth. She finally obtains concrete information about the other woman, yet the details fail to add up, deepening the mystery. The confrontation with Rosita exposes Jeremy’s willingness to manipulate even trusted employees, reinforcing his controlling nature. The chapter also shifts the dynamic with Ezra: by inviting him into her home, Naomi blurs the line between lawyer and ally, setting up potential emotional entanglement. The chapter builds suspense around Veronica Chesson and leaves readers questioning what Jeremy is truly hiding.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Naomi suspect Jeremy threatened Rosita, and what evidence supports that?
Rosita tearfully says she needs the job to support her family and does not want to get involved. Naomi recalls that Jeremy has been generous to Rosita — giving bonuses and time off — which makes the threat seem plausible because Jeremy could easily revoke those kindnesses to control her testimony.
What is odd about the information Cora sends about Veronica Chesson, and why is that significant?
The address is in Scarsdale, two hours away, making it unlikely as a current residence for someone involved with Jeremy. Veronica has no visible social media presence despite being in her twenties. These inconsistencies hint that Veronica may be a fake identity or that Jeremy is lying about the affair.
How does Naomi’s meal preference during the house‑call arrangement reveal something about her character?
Naomi insists on an organic café rather than pizza, citing health concerns. This detail shows that she is conscientious about what she consumes — a contrast to most people, as Ezra notes. It also demonstrates her willingness to assert her preferences even in a situation where she is dependent on Ezra’s help, subtly rebalancing the power dynamic.