Chapter 18 Summary: Key Events, Twists, and Analysis
⚠️ 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
After Rebecca leaves the tunnels, Avery remains behind for a while, weighing her next move. She eventually retraces her steps through the hidden passageways and emerges into the Great Room of Hawthorne House via a concealed staircase. Once she has cell service again, she makes a call—not to any of the Hawthornes, but to Thea Calligaris.
Thea answers with her characteristic verbal smirk, guessing that Avery needs fashion help or that a Hawthorne is having a meltdown. When Avery stays silent, Thea amends her guess to “more than one.” Avery tells her that she needs to share something important. Thea, ever conscious of her time and image, reminds Avery that her schedule is valuable, but she listens.
Avery then tells Thea everything: about Eve, the girl who looks exactly like someone—and the fact that Eve wants to meet Rebecca’s mother. Thea is uncharacteristically silent for a full three seconds before calling the situation “messed up, even by Hawthorne and Hawthorne-adjacent standards.” Avery checks on Thea, remembering that Emily was Thea’s best friend. Thea deflects, insisting she doesn’t “do vulnerable” because it clashes with her “bitch aesthetic.” She also correctly guesses that Rebecca didn’t want Avery to tell her about any of this.
Thea then asks, with a hint of dark amusement, how many Hawthornes are currently having meltdowns. Avery doesn’t answer directly, and Thea explains that she’s experiencing a form of schadenfreude—though she notes that the German word doesn’t quite capture the petty satisfaction of watching arrogant people have real feelings. Avery knows Thea isn’t as cold as she pretends to be, but she doesn’t call her on it.
Avery asks Thea if she will call Rebecca. Thea replies that she will, because she let Rebecca go once and has no intention of doing so again. Before hanging up, Thea mentions she has an empire to build and a girl to chase. Avery asks her to take care of Rebecca, and Thea agrees.
Key Events
- Avery returns to Hawthorne House through a hidden staircase and regains cell reception.
- She calls Thea Calligaris and shares the full story about Eve and Rebecca’s mother.
- Thea reacts with a mix of sarcasm and genuine concern, noting the situation is “messed up.”
- Thea reveals that she knows Rebecca didn’t want Avery to tell her, showing her insight into Rebecca’s behavior.
- Thea admits to feeling schadenfreude about the Hawthornes’ troubles, but also demonstrates her loyalty to Rebecca.
- Thea commits to calling Rebecca and to taking care of her, reaffirming her promise to keep choosing Rebecca.
Character Development
Avery shows her growing trust in Thea by confiding in her about a sensitive and potentially dangerous situation. She also demonstrates protectiveness toward Rebecca, asking Thea to look after her. Avery’s decision to call Thea rather than a Hawthorne suggests she values Thea’s perspective and knows Thea will understand the emotional stakes.
Thea Calligaris is revealed to be more than her sharp-tongued exterior. She deflects Avery’s concern about Emily, but her brief silence and her immediate willingness to call Rebecca show that she cares deeply. Her admission that she “doesn’t do vulnerable” is a self-aware defense mechanism, and her promise to keep choosing Rebecca echoes a commitment she made earlier. Thea’s humor about schadenfreude masks a genuine emotional investment in the people she loves.
Rebecca is not present in the chapter, but her influence is felt. Thea’s insight into Rebecca’s desire to keep secrets, and her determination not to let Rebecca push her away again, highlight the complexity of their relationship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Choosing someone is the central theme of this chapter. Thea’s line about letting Rebecca go once and not intending to do so again reinforces the idea that love and friendship require active, repeated choices. Avery also chooses to trust Thea, and Thea chooses to support Rebecca.
Emotional armor is symbolized by Thea’s “bitch aesthetic” and her refusal to show vulnerability. She uses sarcasm and deflection to protect herself, but her actions reveal the warmth beneath. The chapter suggests that armor can be a survival mechanism, but it doesn’t eliminate genuine feeling.
Schadenfreude appears as a motif, with Thea taking petty satisfaction in the Hawthornes’ emotional turmoil. However, the chapter complicates this by showing that Thea’s amusement is a mask for her own pain and loyalty.
Protectiveness drives both Avery and Thea. Avery asks Thea to take care of Rebecca, and Thea agrees, showing that protectiveness can be a form of love that transcends past hurts.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 18 deepens the bond between Avery and Thea, transforming their relationship from reluctant acquaintances to trusted allies. It also sets up Thea’s role as a key support for Rebecca in the coming events. The chapter advances the mystery of Eve’s identity by having Avery share the information with someone outside the Hawthorne circle, suggesting that the truth may have wider implications. Thea’s promise to keep choosing Rebecca reinforces the novel’s emphasis on loyalty and the power of deliberate connection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Avery choose to call Thea instead of a Hawthorne family member?
Avery calls Thea because she trusts Thea’s perspective and knows Thea has a deep, personal connection to Rebecca. Thea is also outside the immediate Hawthorne drama, which may allow her to see the situation more clearly. Avery’s choice shows that she values Thea’s judgment and emotional support.
2. How does Thea’s reaction to the news about Eve reveal her true character?
Thea’s initial sarcasm and deflection are a mask. Her brief silence when she hears about Eve, her immediate guess that Rebecca didn’t want her to know, and her promise to call Rebecca all reveal that she is deeply caring and loyal. She uses humor to protect herself, but her actions demonstrate genuine concern.
3. What does Thea mean when she says she “doesn’t do vulnerable”?
Thea is acknowledging that she deliberately avoids showing emotional weakness. This is a self-protective strategy, but it also suggests that she has been hurt before. Her willingness to set aside that armor for Rebecca—by calling her and promising to take care of her—shows that her love for Rebecca is stronger than her fear of vulnerability.