Chapter 36 (Chapter 35) Summary & 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

Abby, alone after her visit to Monica’s mother, concludes that Sam and Monica have been having an affair for at least three years. She re‑evaluates past events: the surrogate Janelle who supposedly backed out, the altered OB/GYN appointments, the drugs planted in her drawer, and the letter opener gift from Sam—all now seem like parts of a deliberate plot. Searching Sam’s belongings yields nothing. Desperate, she calls Shelley, who has been avoiding her since Denise’s murder. They meet for coffee, and Abby recounts everything. Shelley admits she always sensed something off about Sam and warns Abby that if Sam and Monica plotted Denise’s death, he may be dangerous. Sam texts asking to talk; Abby postpones the confrontation.

Key Events

Abby realizes Sam’s affair with Monica has lasted at least three years, based on the timeline from Cynthia.
She reinterprets several earlier incidents as orchestrated by Sam and Monica: the fake surrogate backing out, the bogus background check, the calendar tampering, the drug planting, and the gift of the letter opener.
Despite an exhaustive search of Sam’s drawers and closet, Abby finds no direct evidence of the affair.
Abby calls Shelley, who has been distant. Shelley agrees to meet for coffee.
Over coffee, Abby explains everything, including her visit to Cynthia. Shelley expresses belief in the affair and warns that Sam could be dangerous.
Sam texts Abby wanting to talk; Abby defers, saying she’ll be out late.

Character Development

Abby: Moves from shock to active suspicion. She begins to piece together a narrative of betrayal and feels increasingly isolated. Her trust in Sam is shattered, and she turns to Shelley despite fearing rejection.
Shelley: Evolving from avoidant to supportive. She initially kept her distance but now listens and validates Abby’s fears. She offers a practical warning about Abby’s safety.
Sam (off‑page): Now viewed as a manipulator capable of long‑term deceit. Abby questions whether he is merely a cheating husband or a psychopath who set her up for murder.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Betrayal and Erosion of Trust: The affair fundamentally changes how Abby sees her entire marriage. Every past kindness now reads as a possible lie.
Paranoia vs. Caution: Abby’s suspicion could be justified or a product of stress. Shelley’s warning pushes Abby toward heightened vigilance.
Appearance vs. Reality: Sam seemed the perfect husband; now the affair reveals a hidden, calculated side. The letter opener (a romantic gift turned murder weapon) symbolises this reversal.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is a turning point. Abby no longer doubts Sam’s guilt; she actively builds a case against him. The conversation with Shelley marks the first time Abby gains an ally who believes her, shifting the power dynamic from isolation to potential collaboration. It also raises the stakes: if Abby is right, Sam is not just unfaithful but dangerous.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Abby’s perception of past events change in this chapter, and what specific incidents does she reinterpret?
Abby now sees Janelle’s backing out, the fake background check, calendar tampering, drug planting, and the letter opener gift as deliberate acts by Sam and Monica to frame her for murder.
Why does Shelley express concern about Abby returning to the apartment? What does this reveal about Shelley’s view of Sam?
Shelley fears that if Sam and Monica plotted Denise’s murder, they might harm Abby. This reveals that Shelley now sees Sam as capable of violence, not merely infidelity.
What does Abby’s decision to postpone talking to Sam suggest about her state of mind at the end of the chapter?
It shows she is not ready to confront him and is still processing the enormity of the betrayal. She prioritises gathering confidence and support before the inevitable confrontation.