Chapter 26 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.

Summary

In Chapter 26, Avery, Libby, and Max search a vast room in Hawthorne House lined with shelves holding hundreds of games. Avery notes that the Hawthornes have likely played every single one, because winning is the family’s defining trait. As they hunt for chess sets, Max updates them on her new relationship with Xander. She describes it as “new” and “fun,” and admits she is reconsidering her usual romantic tropes—she has never been friends with a guy first, and she typically prefers enemies-to-lovers or star-crossed tragedy. Libby and Avery tease her, and Max shares that Xander sent her a “book bouquet” before they were romantic.

The trio eventually locates six chess sets. Avery meticulously inspects each board and piece, looking for scribbles, carvings, or missing pieces, and then uses a flashlight to check for invisible ink. She finds nothing. Frustrated, she looks up to see Grayson standing in the doorway, backlit. Max announces that Xander is her ride to the airport, and Avery reluctantly says goodbye, though she hates that Max is leaving. Oren has assigned Max a new bodyguard, described as “exceptionally broody with hidden layers.” Max hugs Avery and leaves.

Grayson remains in the doorway, as if there is an invisible line he will not cross. He asks what Avery is doing, but she withholds the fact that Tobias left her a game—she intends to tell Jameson first. Libby exits, sensing the tension. Grayson then tells Avery that he spoke with Eve last night and that Eve is struggling. He suggests that showing Eve Toby’s old wing might help her. Avery remembers Eve’s comment about Hawthorne secrets and recognizes that the wing is full of them. She agrees, but proposes a deal: she will show Eve the wing if Grayson tells her how he is truly doing. Grayson, without looking away, admits that “everything hurts” all the time, but he knows the man he was raised to be.

Key Events

Avery, Libby, and Max search a room with hundreds of games for chess sets.
Max discusses her new relationship with Xander, revealing she is enjoying it despite her usual preferences.
They find six chess sets; Avery inspects them for hidden markings or invisible ink but finds nothing.
Grayson appears in the doorway; Max leaves for the airport with a new bodyguard.
Grayson asks about the chess sets, but Avery withholds the truth about Tobias’s game.
Grayson mentions Eve’s struggles and requests permission to show her Toby’s old wing.
Avery agrees but makes a deal: she will show Eve the wing if Grayson tells her how he is really doing.
Grayson admits that everything hurts constantly, but he knows the man he was raised to be.

Character Development

Avery continues to navigate her role as the keeper of Tobias’s secrets. She deliberately hides the existence of the game from Grayson, prioritizing Jameson’s involvement. This shows her loyalty to Jameson and her growing understanding of the Hawthorne family’s intricate dynamics. Her decision to make a deal with Grayson—rather than a wager—reflects her awareness of the distinction between the brothers: Jameson is wagers, Grayson is deals. She uses this to extract emotional honesty from Grayson, demonstrating her willingness to leverage her position for deeper connection.

Grayson reveals a rare moment of vulnerability. He admits that “everything hurts” all the time, yet he still clings to the identity he was raised to embody—the composed, bulletproof Hawthorne. This admission is significant because it shows that beneath his stoic exterior, he is struggling with the same emotional turmoil as everyone else. His request to show Eve Toby’s wing indicates his compassion for Eve and his desire to help her, even as he himself is hurting.

Max provides a lighter counterpoint. Her conversation about Xander shows her growth from a cynical observer to someone willing to embrace a new kind of relationship. Her departure marks a shift in the group’s dynamic, leaving Avery without her closest confidante at a critical moment.

Libby remains supportive but steps back when Grayson arrives, sensing that Avery needs space. Her brief presence reinforces her role as a grounding force for Avery.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Games and Competition: The room full of games symbolizes the Hawthorne family’s obsession with winning and strategy. Avery’s search for chess sets mirrors the larger game Tobias has set in motion. The chess sets themselves are potential clues, but they yield nothing, emphasizing that the real game is more complex than physical objects.

Secrets and Hidden Spaces: Toby’s old wing is described as a place “rife with secrets,” and Avery’s decision to show it to Eve represents a boundary being crossed. The wing is a physical manifestation of the family’s hidden history, and allowing Eve access is a significant concession.

Deals vs. Wagers: Avery explicitly distinguishes between Jameson’s wagers and Grayson’s deals. This motif highlights the different ways the brothers approach life and relationships. Avery uses a deal to extract emotional truth from Grayson, showing that she understands each brother’s language.

Emotional Vulnerability: Grayson’s admission that “everything hurts” is a rare moment of raw honesty. It contrasts with his usual composed demeanor and underscores the theme that even the strongest characters are struggling internally.

Outsider Intrusion: Eve’s presence as an outsider threatens the established order of Hawthorne House. Avery’s initial reluctance to show her Toby’s wing reflects her fear of losing something that was once exclusively hers. This theme echoes Avery’s own past as an outsider who became an insider.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 26 is pivotal because it deepens the mystery of Tobias’s game while also advancing character relationships. Avery’s failure to find clues in the chess sets raises the stakes—the game is more elusive than expected. Her decision to withhold information from Grayson creates tension and sets up a potential conflict between her loyalty to Jameson and her growing bond with Grayson.

The chapter also humanizes Grayson, showing that his stoicism is a mask. His admission of pain makes him more relatable and sets the stage for further emotional development. Additionally, the deal between Avery and Grayson establishes a new dynamic in their relationship, one based on mutual exchange rather than competition.

Finally, Max’s departure removes Avery’s primary support system, leaving her more isolated as the game intensifies. This isolation will likely force Avery to rely more on the Hawthorne brothers, complicating her already tangled relationships.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Avery choose to hide the existence of Tobias’s game from Grayson?

Avery hides the game because she wants to tell Jameson first. This decision reflects her loyalty to Jameson and her belief that he should be the first to know about their grandfather’s final challenge. It also suggests that she is still navigating the complex dynamics between the brothers, and she may be trying to avoid giving Grayson an advantage or creating a rift between them.

2. What does the deal between Avery and Grayson reveal about their relationship?

The deal shows that Avery and Grayson are learning to communicate on their own terms. Avery uses the deal to force Grayson to be emotionally honest, which he rarely is. Grayson’s willingness to comply indicates that he trusts Avery enough to show vulnerability. This exchange moves their relationship beyond surface-level interactions and establishes a pattern of mutual concession.

3. How does the setting of the game room contribute to the chapter’s themes?

The game room, filled with hundreds of games, reinforces the Hawthorne family’s obsession with competition and strategy. It also serves as a physical representation of the larger game Tobias has set in motion. Avery’s search for chess sets among the games mirrors her search for clues in the broader mystery, and the room’s overwhelming abundance of games emphasizes the complexity and scale of the challenge she faces.