Chapter 16 Summary and Analysis – The Surrogate Mother
⚠️ 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
Abigail takes a personal day so she can attend Monica’s ultrasound, which she believes is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Before she can leave the office, her boss Denise intercepts her and questions her departure; Abby brushes it off as a doctor’s appointment. Denise also complains that Abby has left several emails from the Cuddles account unanswered, a claim Abby finds hard to believe. She hurries to the hospital, arriving ten minutes early. In the waiting room, a receptionist gives her a strange look, but Abby explains she is meeting Monica Johnson. The receptionist says Monica is “just about done.” Seconds later, Monica and Sam emerge from the back holding ultrasound images. Sam says the appointment was at one, not two. Abby checks her phone calendar and sees she indeed entered the wrong time. Monica insists she told Abby correctly. Abby is furious but tries not to lose her temper. She asks Sam why he didn’t text her; he says he didn’t want to bother her. Monica keeps the first set of pictures, and a second set is printed for Sam. The receptionist congratulates them as “husband and wife,” which stings Abby. Monica suggests celebrating with coffee. Abby declines, needing to return to work. Monica then asks Sam directly, using the nickname “Sammy.” Sam hesitates but accepts, saying he can spare twenty minutes. Abby watches them walk away together, trying to convince herself she trusts Sam.
Key Events
- Denise stops Abby as she tries to leave work, complaining about unanswered Cuddles emails.
- Abby arrives at the hospital thinking the ultrasound is at 2:00 p.m. only to discover it was scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
- Monica and Sam already completed the ultrasound; they show Abby the images.
- Abby checks her calendar and sees she mis‑entered the time as 1:00 p.m.
- Monica asks Sam to go for coffee; Sam accepts despite Abby’s obvious discomfort.
- Abby watches Sam and Monica walk away together, feeling excluded and anxious.
Character Development
Abigail – Abby’s growing insecurity is on full display. Her frantic rush to the appointment and her fury at missing it reveal how desperately she wants to be involved. The mix‑up—whether accidental or manipulated—makes her question her own reliability. Her internal monologue shows her fighting jealousy, especially when Monica invites Sam for coffee. She tries to rationalise her trust in Sam but her resentment is palpable.
Sam – Sam appears genuinely oblivious to the emotional stakes. He shows no concern that Abby missed the ultrasound and does not recognise how his acceptance of Monica’s coffee invitation hurts Abby. His eagerness to discuss his research with Monica suggests he enjoys the intellectual connection, but he fails to see how that intimacy threatens his marriage.
Monica – Monica’s behaviour grows more assertive. She wears makeup and a low‑cut top, making herself more physically noticeable. She uses the nickname “Sammy” and asks him for coffee directly, bypassing Abby. Whether intentional or not, her actions drive a wedge between the couple. She appears unbothered by Abby’s anger and seems to relish the opportunity to spend time alone with Sam.
Denise – Although she appears only briefly, Denise’s criticism about unanswered emails adds to Abby’s stress. The boss’s controlling nature hints at the pressure Abby feels at work, making her home life with Sam and Monica all the more fraught.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Miscommunication – The entire chapter hinges on a calendar error. Abby believes the appointment is at two; Monica says she told her one. The miscommunication (whether genuine or manufactured) keeps Abby on the outside of a key prenatal experience.
Trust and Jealousy – Abby’s internal turmoil reflects a classic trust‑versus‑jealousy conflict. She wants to believe Sam is faithful, but Monica’s flirtatious actions and Sam’s easy acceptance of the coffee date erode that trust.
Boundaries in Surrogacy – The chapter highlights how poorly defined the boundaries are. The receptionist assumes Sam and Monica are a married couple, and Monica does not correct her. Monica keeps the first ultrasound picture, and Abby feels she has no right to demand it. The surrogacy arrangement is blurring the lines of who “owns” the pregnancy experience.
Power Dynamics – Monica, as the surrogate, holds physical access to the baby. Abby, as the intended mother, is reduced to a spectator. Monica’s choice to ask Sam for coffee alone shifts the power balance further, making Abby feel powerless.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in the story’s emotional tension. Abby’s missed ultrasound is not just a scheduling blunder—it symbolises her growing distance from the pregnancy. Monica’s deepening relationship with Sam (both intellectual and social) foreshadows potential betrayal or at least a severe rift in Abby’s marriage. The chapter also raises the stakes: if Abby cannot trust Sam around Monica, the entire surrogacy arrangement is in jeopardy. The unanswered‑email subplot introduces another layer of stress, suggesting that Abby’s control over her life is slipping in multiple areas.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Abby miss the ultrasound, and how does the author use this incident to build tension?
Abby misses the ultrasound because she misreads her calendar, believing the appointment was at 2:00 p.m. when it was actually at 1:00 p.m. The author uses the mix‑up to make Abby doubt her own competence and to isolate her from the shared pregnancy moment. It also gives Monica an opportunity to bond with Sam without Abby present, heightening the reader’s unease.
2. What does Monica’s invitation for coffee alone with Sam reveal about her intentions?
Monica deliberately invites Sam for coffee after Abby declines. She uses the nickname “Sammy” and shows interest in his academic work, creating an intellectual connection that excludes Abby. The invitation suggests Monica is comfortable crossing boundaries and may be seeking a closer relationship with Sam, potentially threatening the surrogacy agreement.
3. How does the receptionist’s comment about “your husband” affect Abby’s state of mind?
The receptionist mistakes Sam for Monica’s husband, a small but painful moment for Abby. Neither Sam nor Monica corrects the error, making Abby feel invisible and replaced. The comment reinforces Abby’s fear that she is being edged out of her own pregnancy, and it fuels her growing jealousy and insecurity.