Chapter 85 — 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.
Avery burns the paperwork because she wants to take full responsibility for her inheritance rather than delegating it to a trust. She realizes that signing would tie up her assets and allow her to avoid the direct burden of power. By burning it, she commits to handling the responsibility herself, signaling her readiness to act and her refusal to take the easy way out. The act is a deliberate choice to embrace her role as the heir, even though she knows it will be difficult and will likely upset the status quo.2. What is the significance of Toby's message to Avery?
Toby's message, carved on the pieces of the cube, reads “I see so much of your mother in you.” This message is significant because it connects Avery to her mother and gives her a sense of identity and belonging. It confirms something deep within her—perhaps that she is worthy of the legacy she has inherited, or that she is following a path her mother would have understood. The message also reinforces the theme of legacy and suggests that Avery's strength comes from her maternal lineage, not just from the Hawthorne name.3. How does the setting of the Great Room contribute to the chapter's meaning?
The Great Room is where the will was read, the moment that changed Avery's life. By returning there to light the fire and burn the trust paperwork, Avery symbolically revisits the origin of her inheritance and reclaims it on her own terms. The room is filled with ghosts of the past—the memory of the will reading and the reactions of the Hawthorne family. This setting emphasizes the weight of history and legacy, and Avery's act of burning the papers in that specific place transforms the room from a site of passive inheritance to a site of active choice. It underscores that Avery is not just accepting what was given to her; she is actively shaping what she will do with it.---## Navigation- Previous Chapter: Chapter 84 Summary- Next Chapter: Chapter 86 Summary- Back to Book Hub