Chapter 10 Summary: Millie’s Past with Enzo and Unease with Xavier
⚠️ 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
Millie confirms with Douglas that she will come to the penthouse that evening. She declines Brock’s invitation to stay over, afraid to reveal her past to him. This prompts a long flashback to her relationship with Enzo Accardi. They met after a previous job ended abruptly and became friends, then partners in helping women escape abusive relationships. Their methods sometimes involved obtaining fake IDs, burner phones, and plane tickets—occasionally getting “messy.” Enzo encouraged Millie to pursue a social work degree. They eventually became lovers, and Millie was happier than ever. Their relationship ended when Enzo’s mother had a stroke, forcing him to return to Sicily despite a price on his head. He never came back, and they broke up after a year apart. Back in the present, Millie heads out to fulfill Douglas’s exotic grocery list (Buddha’s hand, fiddleheads, cucamelon, poha berries). On the stairwell, she nearly collides with neighbor Xavier, who knows her name and makes her uncomfortable. She suspects he may be stalking her and considers moving in with Brock.
Key Events
- Millie confirms her evening visit to the Garricks’ penthouse.
- She refuses to stay overnight at Brock’s apartment, fearing he will learn her secrets.
- The narrative shifts to a flashback of Millie’s friendship and romance with Enzo Accardi.
- Enzo and Millie helped dozens of women escape abusive relationships, sometimes using illegal means.
- Enzo’s mother suffers a stroke; he must return to Sicily despite the danger.
- After a year of long-distance, Millie ends the relationship because Enzo cannot come back.
- In the present, Millie receives an unusual grocery list from Douglas.
- She encounters Xavier on the stairs; he knows her name and follows her, heightening her unease.
Character Development
Millie reveals her past involvement in covert rescue work, showing her capacity for both empathy and rule-breaking. Her decision to end things with Enzo demonstrates her need for closure and a stable life. Her current anxiety with Xavier shows she is still on edge, possibly due to her criminal record or past traumas.
Enzo Accardi is portrayed as a passionate, resourceful man who puts family above all else. His willingness to help women in danger, combined with his hot temper and connections, makes him a morally complex figure.
Xavier is introduced as a seemingly friendly neighbor who knows too much about Millie. His persistence and knowledge of her name suggest he might be a stalker, adding a layer of suspense.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- The Cost of Helping Others – Millie and Enzo’s work to rescue abused women comes with personal risks and moral compromises (“messy” incidents they agreed never to speak of).
- Impossible Choices – Enzo must choose between his mother’s health and his life with Millie; Millie chooses self-protection over intimacy with Brock.
- Surveillance and Vulnerability – The motif of being watched (Millie’s feeling of being stalked, Xavier’s knowledge of her name) reinforces her lack of safety.
- The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary – Millie’s past with Enzo involved fake passports and rescues; her present includes a ridiculous grocery list, highlighting the contrast between her old and new life.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides crucial backstory on Millie’s relationship with Enzo, explaining why she is reluctant to commit to Brock and why she knows how to obtain fake identification. It deepens the theme of hidden identities and the lengths people go to for love or safety. The introduction of Xavier as a potential stalker raises the suspense, setting up future conflict. The exotic grocery list also hints at the Garricks’ high-maintenance lifestyle, which may play a role in the plot.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Millie refuse to stay overnight at Brock’s apartment?
Millie is afraid that if she spends too much time with Brock, she will feel compelled to tell him the truth about her past (including her prison record and her work with Enzo). She worries that he and his wealthy family will reject her.
2. What does the flashback reveal about Millie’s relationship with Enzo?
They started as friends and later became lovers while helping abused women escape. Enzo encouraged her to get a social work degree. The relationship ended when his mother had a stroke and he returned to Sicily, unable to come back due to the danger and his mother’s illness.
3. How does Millie react to Xavier’s knowledge of her name and his offer to accompany her?
She feels uneasy and suspects he may be stalking her. She avoids giving him her name, but he already knows it. She quickly leaves and considers moving to Brock’s apartment to escape Xavier.