The Paradise Problem Chapter Twenty-Two: Running from Feelings
⚠️ 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
Liam reflects on his college relationship with Chiara, who accused him of never knowing what he felt. Now, after Anna’s declaration that she is on his team, he experiences an unrecognisable churning feeling that he first interprets as anger but later realises is anguish. He bolts from the bungalow and walks along the beach for hours, avoiding Anna. When he returns, Anna confronts him about his distance. Liam deflects, saying they barely know each other, which visibly wounds her. She masks her hurt with a cheerful facade. Later, they attend an Old Hollywood-themed party organised by the McKellans. Liam explains to Anna the extent of his father’s power—beyond Weston Foods—and admits that the inheritance is not just about money but something larger. At the party, Liam watches Anna interact with his brother Jake and her ex Jamie. Jealousy rises, and he strides over to claim her possessively, kissing her shoulder. As Anna walks away, Liam finally names his feeling: the terrifying beginning of more.
Key Events
- Liam recalls his emotionally detached college relationship with Chiara and contrasts it with his newfound inability to identify his current feelings.
- After a moment of closeness with Anna, Liam feels a surge of undefined anguish and leaves the bungalow for a three-hour beach walk.
- Anna confronts Liam upon his return; he rebuffs her by saying they barely know each other, damaging the trust between them.
- Anna retrieves costumes for the Old Hollywood party; she and Liam later attend together.
- Liam reveals the scope of his father’s influence—early investments in tech companies, board seats, and a willingness to destroy rivals.
- At the party, Liam watches Anna laugh with Jake and Jamie, feels jealousy, and physically inserts himself behind her, kissing her shoulder in a possessive gesture.
- Anna walks away from him, and Liam acknowledges to himself that what he feels is the beginning of something deeper.
Character Development
Liam: This chapter deepens Liam’s internal struggle. His past with Chiara shows he has grown emotionally but still struggles when intimacy feels real. His impulse to run from Anna after she openly supports him reveals a core fear of vulnerability. His jealousy at the party, followed by possessive behaviour, marks a turning point: he is no longer able to deny that he has genuine feelings for Anna.
Anna: She shows resilience and emotional intelligence. Despite being hurt by Liam’s coldness, she quickly adopts a cheerful mask to preserve their fake marriage cover. Her playful teasing (the Legolas drummer joke) and her direct confrontation show she will not let Liam’s mood control their dynamic.
Ellen Weston: Brief appearance; she observes Liam’s attraction to Anna and offers a subtle warning about family dynamics, hinting that different Wester children have different experiences with their parents.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Fear of Intimacy: Liam’s inability to name his emotions—and his instinct to physically distance himself after emotional closeness—illustrates a deep-seated fear of true connection.
Performance and Masking: The Old Hollywood costume party symbolises the Weston-McKellan world where everything is for show. Anna’s own performance—smiling despite hurt—mirrors the theme of hiding true feelings behind a facade.
Power and Control: Liam’s description of his father’s far-reaching influence (Twitter, Apple, personal destruction of enemies) underscores the theme of absolute control. This power permeates the family and threatens any genuine relationship.
Jealousy as a Catalyst: Liam’s jealousy when Jamie touches Anna’s back acts as a catalyst for him to finally acknowledge his feelings, moving from denial to a reluctant acceptance.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Twenty-Two marks a critical emotional turning point in Liam’s arc. For the first time, he consciously recognises that his feelings for Anna are more than contractual. His confession that the inheritance issue is “bigger than a hundred million dollars” hints at deeper stakes. The chapter also advances the central romantic tension by showing how jealousy and possessiveness break through Liam’s walls. Additionally, it expands the world’s power dynamics, revealing the true scope of Ray Weston’s influence, which will likely play a role in the novel’s climax.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Liam struggle to identify what he feels after Anna’s declaration of support?
Liam has undergone therapy and learned to name his emotions, but Anna’s unreserved loyalty is unprecedented in his life. He has never had someone show up for him without wanting something in return, and this unfamiliar feeling—vulnerability mixed with hope—terrifies him. He initially mistakes it for anger because it feels uncontrollable.
2. How does Anna respond when Liam distances himself, and what does her response reveal about her character?
Anna confronts him directly (“You’re being weird”) and is visibly hurt when he says they barely know each other. Yet she quickly masks her pain with a cheerful smile and continues to perform the role of his wife. This shows her resilience, emotional intelligence, and commitment to the arrangement, even when her feelings are wounded.
3. What does Liam mean when he says the inheritance is “much bigger than a hundred million dollars”?
He suggests that walking away from the trust fund would mean more than losing money—it would mean losing his place in the family, his identity, and possibly his safety, given his father’s willingness to destroy anyone who crosses him. The inheritance is tied to power, loyalty, and obligation that are impossible to escape.