Chapter Twenty: The Retreat and Shared Trauma

⚠️ 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

Dustin wakes late in his mother’s furnished starter home, already plotting to sell it and use the cash to finance a new identity. He plays the repentant son for his mother Theresa, while inwardly seething at her and planning to steal her jewelry after killing her. They drive to his father Paul Dubecki’s estate, where Dustin’s rage and envy peak as he sees the house he believes should be his. During the visit, Paul—weakened by cancer—offers forgiveness and an unusual gift: any one item of Dustin’s choice. Dustin, momentarily tempted to murder his father, spots a photo of “The Retreat,” the family’s remote Washington State mountain cabin. He requests the property, and Paul agrees. Meanwhile, Arden spends a sunny Saturday decorating her house for Christmas with Zoey and Jamie. After the others leave, Arden confides in Jamie about a violent assault she experienced five years ago. Jamie reveals he was also beaten by a stranger during art school, and shares that meeting his husband Nick helped heal the trauma. The chapter ends with Part Three’s epigraph from A. A. Milne about strength.

Key Events

Dustin wakes in his new house, already planning to sell it and create a new identity.
He mentally catalogues his mother’s jewelry as items to take after killing her.
Theresa drives Dustin to his father Paul’s estate; Dustin fantasizes about burning the house and harming his half-sister.
Paul, dying of cancer, receives Dustin in a hospital bed; he apologizes for past failures and offers forgiveness.
Paul tells Dustin the bulk of his estate will go to his wife Mitzi, but offers Dustin one kept item.
Dustin chooses “The Retreat,” a remote mountain cabin in Washington State where he remembers the family being happy.
Paul agrees to transfer the property and then asks for rest; Dustin leaves feeling triumphant, planning to make a life there with Arden.
Arden spends the day decorating for Christmas with Zoey and Jamie; Jamie and Zoey string lights and decorate the interior.
After the others leave, Arden tells Jamie about being assaulted five years ago.
Jamie reveals that he was brutally beaten by a man in Fort Lauderdale during art school, and that love (meeting Nick) eventually healed him.
The chapter closes with an epigraph from A. A. Milne about bravery and strength.

Character Development

Dustin: His manipulation and psychopathy deepen. He feigns gratitude, plans multiple murders (mother, half-sister), and covets his father’s wealth. The request for The Retreat shows a sentimental—yet strategic—side; he sees it as the perfect hideaway with Arden.
Paul Dubecki: Though physically frail, Paul’s fierce personality remains. He acknowledges his failures as a father and offers genuine reconciliation, but his coldness and pragmatism (saying “men don’t cry”) still surface. His decision to give Dustin The Retreat hints at lingering affection or guilt.
Arden: She continues to heal by sharing her trauma with trusted people. The decision to tell Jamie, a relative newcomer, shows her growing comfort in Riverbend and willingness to accept support.
Jamie: His backstory reveals he survived a hate crime and found recovery through love. His openness helps Arden feel less alone and deepens their bond as friends and chosen family.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Masks and Deception: Dustin expertly plays the grateful son while plotting murder. The contrast between his inner rage and outward repentance highlights the theme of hidden intentions.
Inheritance vs. Earned Worth: Paul’s will reduces Dustin’s inheritance to a single sentimental item. Dustin’s demand for The Retreat underscores his belief that he is owed everything; Paul’s conditional gift suggests he wants Dustin to earn a meaningful life.
Trauma and Healing: Both Arden and Jamie recount violent assaults. Their conversation models how sharing pain with an empathetic listener can begin to mend brokenness. Love (romantic and platonic) is presented as a powerful healing force.
Nature as Sanctuary: The Retreat represents a pristine, remote place where Dustin imagines a new life. For Arden, the lively Christmas decorating brings warmth and domestic stability. The contrast between Dustin’s predatory use of nature and Arden’s loving use of home underscores opposing worldviews.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter Twenty is a turning point for Dustin’s scheme. Acquiring The Retreat gives him a remote base from which he can plan his final target—likely Arden and anyone who threatens his freedom. The property also ties back to his childhood, adding a layer of twisted nostalgia. For Arden, this chapter strengthens her support network; Jamie’s revelation cements their friendship and gives her a trusted confidant. The epigraph signals the beginning of “Part Three: Strength,” suggesting that Arden will need all her courage in the chapters ahead.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Dustin choose The Retreat over any other item his father offers?
Dustin selects The Retreat because it stirs his only genuine positive memories of family togetherness. He also recognizes its remote location in the Washington mountains would make an ideal hideaway where he can build a new life—and possibly evade law enforcement while pursuing his violent plans.

2. How does Paul Dubecki’s behavior toward Dustin differ from his past treatment of him?
In the past, Paul was harsh, controlling, and emotionally distant. On his deathbed he admits to being too hard in some ways and too lenient in others, and explicitly asks for forgiveness. This is a rare moment of vulnerability, though his underlying coldness (“Men don’t cry”) persists.

3. What effect does Jamie’s story of being assaulted have on Arden?
Jamie’s revelation shows Arden she is not alone in having survived violence. His example of eventually healing through love and community gives her hope. It also deepens their friendship, making Arden more willing to lean on others in the future.