Chapter 78 Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

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

⚠️ This page contains detailed plot points and character revelations from Chapter 78 of The Favorites. If you haven't read up to this point, you may want to turn back now.

Summary

The chapter opens with a Skype call from Bella, who is visibly relieved to finally reach Katarina after the short program. She immediately notices the unusual setting—Ellis Dean's hotel suite—and Heath's bare chest. Katarina explains that Ellis gave them his suite for the night. Together, they recount the evening's chaos: the tampering with their skates (which had been mentioned on the broadcast, though Kirk avoided outright accusations), the break-ins at their hotel rooms, Katarina's ruined dress, and the dismissive response from Sochi police. Bella learns all of this for the first time, since Ellis apparently didn't update his blog.

When Bella asks what Katarina will wear for the free dance, Katarina says she'll reuse her short dance dress, even though the bright colors clash with the free program's character. Bella never once questions whether they will compete—she knows Shaw and Rocha won't be scared off by swollen feet, bad backs, or bloody dresses. She asks Heath how he's feeling, and he turns the question back to her. Bella reassures them that Garrett is taking good care of her, and Garrett appears briefly, waving a pancake-batter-covered spatula and wishing them luck. Before hanging up, Bella warns them: until they know who's behind everything, don't trust anyone.

After the call, Heath and Katarina prepare for bed, taking turns in the bathroom and changing into pajamas. Heath offers her more painkillers, but she declines; the pills haven't helped much anyway. They climb into bed, keeping a respectful distance, and Katarina arranges pillows to elevate her foot. They exchange dark humor about being a pair of geriatric has-beens. Katarina insists the Volkovas are responsible for the sabotage, but Heath hesitates. He defends Yelena, recalling that she was the only person kind to him during his time in Moscow—she helped him learn the language, stayed late to give skating tips, and may have needed a friend as much as he did. He admits he left without saying goodbye, right when they were supposed to start training together, and that Veronika likely blamed Yelena.

Pressed about who hurt him, Heath finally confesses: he's done things he's not proud of to get back to Katarina. He also admits he made his entire existence about her for far too long, because he grew up without a family or culture of his own. He says he's now working on finding his own passion and purpose in Los Angeles, with Bella and their baby. Katarina realizes he won't give her the answers she wants tonight. Heath brushes his lips against her hand and says they've wasted so much time. Katarina agrees, but tells him they're here now and shouldn't waste any more.

Key Events

Bella calls via Skype, relieved to reach Katarina after the short program.
Katarina and Heath recount the skate tampering, room break-ins, ruined dress, and unhelpful police response.
Bella learns about the incidents for the first time and warns them not to trust anyone.
Katarina decides to reuse her short dance dress for the free dance.
Heath defends Yelena, recalling her kindness in Moscow and his guilt over leaving without goodbye.
Heath confesses he has done things he's not proud of to return to Katarina and that he once made his whole life about her.
Heath reveals he's now working on finding his own purpose in Los Angeles with Bella and their baby.
Katarina tells Heath they should stop wasting time.

Character Development

Katarina shows remarkable resilience. Despite physical pain, a ruined dress, and a series of sabotage attempts, she never considers withdrawing. Her decision to reuse the short dance dress, even though it clashes with the free program, underscores her practicality and determination. She also demonstrates emotional growth: instead of pushing Heath for the full truth about his past, she accepts his partial confession and chooses to focus on the present. Her final line—