Chapter 25 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

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

You can return to the book hub or the previous chapter if you need to catch up.

Otherwise, dive in for a full breakdown of this pivotal chapter.

(Note: The chapter is numbered 25 in the book but appears as Chapter 26 in this study guide; the content is identical.)

This page covers the events, character shifts, and themes that make this chapter a turning point in The Favorites by Layne Fargo.

We'll also answer three study questions to help you think critically about the text.

Let's begin.

Summary

After the disastrous free dance at Worlds, Kat is still reeling when Bella Lin approaches her with a startling proposal: switch partners and skate with Garrett, Bella's brother. Bella argues that Kat and Garrett would balance each other — Kat's fire tempered by Garrett's calm, and Garrett's steadiness enlivened by Kat's passion. Kat immediately recognizes the logic; she and Heath have been unraveling since moving to LA, and their personal conflicts have bled onto the ice. She knows Heath loves her but doesn't love skating the way she does, and she's been skating down to his level instead of pushing herself. Bella assures Kat that she can still date Heath, but Kat knows Heath would be devastated — he's been abandoned his whole life, and this would feel like another betrayal. Still, the offer is too tempting: a partner like Garrett is a near-guarantee of success, with endorsement opportunities that would solve their money problems. Kat asks for time to think, and Bella tells her to consider what's best for herself.

After dinner, Kat chooses to walk back to the hotel alone through the rainy Nagano streets. She seeks out a garden she remembers near the hotel, hoping the water and quiet will clear her head the way Lake Michigan used to. She finds the garden and stands by the pond, but her solitude is interrupted by Ellis Dean, who is smoking under an arbor. They exchange awkward pleasantries — Ellis and his partner Josie finished twenty-second, and Kat's own result was disappointing. Ellis asks about Heath, and Kat, desperate to talk to someone, confides that the Lins are looking for new partners. Ellis quickly deduces that they want Kat to skate with Garrett. He urges her to accept, bluntly stating that boyfriends are easy to come by but elite skating partners are not. Kat admits, with relief, that Heath has been holding her back for years.

But Ellis has been playing a cruel game. He reveals that he knew Heath was listening the entire time, hidden near the garden entrance. Heath has overheard Kat's confession — that she can't reach her potential with him, that he's been a drag on her career. Heath turns and flees into the rain. Kat chases him, slipping and falling on the wet stone, but he doesn't stop. She screams his name, but he never looks back. In that moment, Kat realizes she has lost him for good.

Key Events

Bella proposes that Kat switch partners to Garrett, citing their complementary temperaments.
Kat internally acknowledges that Heath can't keep up with her competitive drive, and that their relationship is damaging their skating.
Kat walks alone through Nagano and finds a garden, where she meets Ellis Dean.
Ellis and Kat discuss their poor Worlds results; Ellis reveals he knows about the Lin offer.
Ellis manipulates the situation by encouraging Kat to admit Heath is holding her back, while knowing Heath is listening.
Heath overhears Kat's confession and runs away into the rain.
Kat chases him but fails to catch him, realizing the emotional and professional rupture is complete.

Character Development

Kat is at a crossroads. She's always been ambitious, but this chapter forces her to confront the cost of that ambition. She tries to rationalize the partner switch — telling herself she can still date Heath, that she can support him financially — but her admission to Ellis reveals a deeper truth: she has been compromising her own potential for years. Her relief at saying the words out loud shows how long she's been suppressing this feeling. Yet her immediate chase after Heath shows she isn't heartless; she wants to explain, to soften the blow. But her hesitation and honesty have already done the damage.

Ellis emerges as a more calculating figure than his earlier appearances suggested. He feigns sympathy, then deliberately orchestrates Heath's overhearing. His smirk when Heath is revealed indicates he wanted to hurt Heath, or perhaps to force Kat to make a choice. He's not just a rival; he's a manipulator who enjoys watching others squirm.

Heath is mostly absent from the scene, but his reaction is devastating. He's already insecure, having been abandoned throughout his life. Hearing Kat say he's been holding her back confirms his worst fears. His flight into the rain is a physical manifestation of his emotional retreat — he can't face the truth, so he runs.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Ambition vs. Love: The central conflict of the chapter. Kat must choose between her dream of being a champion and her relationship with Heath. Bella's proposal forces this choice into the open, and Kat's confession to Ellis tips the scales.

Manipulation: Ellis's deliberate setup — inviting Kat to speak while knowing Heath is listening — shows how people in competitive circles use information as a weapon. He doesn't just give advice; he engineers a crisis.

Water as Reflection: Kat seeks out the garden pond to clear her head, just as she used to look at Lake Michigan. Water serves as a mirror for her inner turmoil; the rain intensifies the emotional weight, and the pond's ripples mirror her chaotic thoughts.

Balance in Partnership: Bella's argument that Kat and Garrett would balance each other contrasts with the fiery, unstable dynamic between Kat and Heath. The chapter suggests that a successful partnership requires equilibrium, not just passion.

Abandonment: Heath's fear of being left is realized. Kat's decision to even consider leaving him, and her eventual confession, triggers the very abandonment he's always dreaded.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It marks the moment Kat's ambition and honesty collide with Heath's insecurities, leading to a rupture that seems irreparable. The confession — that Heath has been holding her back — is a brutal truth that neither can unhear. Ellis's manipulation adds a layer of cruelty, showing that even minor characters can shape the protagonists' fates. The chapter also sets up the possibility of a new partnership with Garrett, which will likely define the next phase of Kat's career. Most importantly, it forces Kat to confront the cost of her dreams: she may achieve greatness, but she may lose the person she loves.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Kat hesitate to accept Bella's offer, even though she knows Garrett is a better partner?

Kat hesitates because she cares about Heath and knows he will be devastated. She recognizes that Heath has been abandoned throughout his life, and she doesn't want to be another person who leaves him. She also tries to convince herself that they can maintain their romantic relationship separately from skating, but she knows deep down that Heath won't see it that way. Her hesitation reflects her internal conflict between ambition and loyalty.

2. How does Ellis manipulate the situation, and what does this reveal about his character?

Ellis deliberately steers the conversation so that Kat admits Heath is holding her back, all while knowing Heath is listening. He even reveals his knowledge with a smirk, showing that he intended for Heath to overhear. This reveals Ellis as calculating and cruel, willing to use emotional sabotage to gain an advantage or simply to enjoy the drama. It also shows that he doesn't truly care about Kat's well-being; he's using her for his own amusement.

3. What does the rain and the garden setting symbolize in this chapter?

The rain and garden serve as a backdrop for Kat's emotional turmoil. The garden is a place of reflection, where Kat hopes to find clarity, but instead she finds confrontation. The rain intensifies the mood, and the pond's ripples mirror her chaotic thoughts. The water also represents the barrier between Kat and Heath — she tries to reach him through the rain, but he disappears into it, symbolizing the emotional distance that has grown between them.