Twisted Love Chapter 23 - Alex: Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
Alex Volkov is in a foul mood a week after his birthday kiss with Ava. He snaps at employees and obsesses over the memory of her lips, even reliving the moment while showering. Ava has skipped their swimming lessons without contacting him directly—Jules only said she was busy. Unable to stand the silence, Alex drives to McCann Gallery in Hazelburg where Ava works. He finds her charming a client and feels her light seep into his dark corners.
When Ava notices him, her professional smile vanishes. She becomes wary. Alex places a brand‑new, unreleased phone on the counter and coldly says he assumed hers was broken since she hadn't texted. Ava teases him, suggesting he misses her. He denies it hotly. She explains she was giving him space because he called the kiss a mistake and agreed never to repeat it. She offers to find another swimming instructor. Alex refuses, saying she asked him and he won’t let someone else take over. He insists lessons resume that weekend and warns her not to hire anyone else. Their argument draws the attention of her boss, Fred.
To assert his control and to help Ava with commission, Alex asks to buy the gallery’s most expensive piece: a black‑and‑white print by Richard Argus for $40,000. He treats the cost as trivial. Fred quickly becomes obsequious. After the sale, Alex tells Ava the next lesson is at the Z Hotel’s indoor pool—the best in DC—and that she is finally ready for real swimming lessons. He leaves in a much better mood, calling her “Sunshine.”
Key Events
- Alex is irritable and sexually frustrated a week after the kiss.
- He drives to Ava’s workplace without warning.
- Alex gives Ava a new phone, accusing her of ignoring him.
- Ava defends her silence, stating she was respecting his wish for space.
- Alex refuses to let her find another swimming instructor.
- He buys the gallery’s most expensive artwork ($40,000) to display dominance and earn Ava a commission.
- Alex schedules the next swimming lesson at a high‑end hotel pool, signaling a step forward in her training.
Character Development
Alex Volkov: In this chapter, Alex’s possessive and controlling nature is fully displayed. He cannot tolerate being ignored and acts on impulse rather than reason. His visit to the gallery shows he is deeply affected by Ava, even if he denies it. The purchase of the painting reveals his willingness to use money to manipulate situations and people. Still, there is a hint of vulnerability in his confession that her absence “irritates him more than he wants to admit.” The final smile and nickname “Sunshine” show a softer side he does not easily express.
Ava Chen: Ava stands her ground. She does not chase him after the kiss; instead, she gives him the space he seems to want. She is professional at work and unwilling to be treated as a pushover. When Alex shows up, she is cautious but does not back down from arguing her perspective. Her willingness to find another instructor suggests she is protecting her own heart, yet she agrees to continue lessons when Alex presses.
Fred (gallery manager): Fred is portrayed as a weak, money‑driven manager who immediately changes his attitude when a wealthy customer appears. He is easily intimidated by Alex and becomes sycophantic.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Possessiveness and Control: Alex’s actions are driven by a need to keep Ava close. He cannot stand the idea of someone else teaching her to swim, and he uses his wealth to exert power over her work environment.
Power Dynamics: The interaction between Alex, Ava, and Fred highlights how money and status shift power. Alex dominates both the conversation and the transaction, turning Fred from a threatening boss into a subordinate.
Light and Darkness: Alex describes Ava’s presence as “light” that reaches into his dark soul. This motif recurs throughout the chapter, emphasizing Ava’s role as a source of warmth and joy in Alex’s otherwise cold world.
The Phone as a Symbol: The new phone represents Alex’s desire for constant communication and his frustration when that communication is broken. It is a material attempt to bridge the emotional distance between them.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 23 marks a turning point in Alex and Ava’s relationship. The kiss from the previous chapter is no longer a one‑time event; it forces both characters to confront their feelings. Alex’s decision to seek out Ava at her job shows that he is not indifferent, despite his words. The chapter sets up deeper emotional stakes for the swimming lessons, now a deliberate act of intimacy rather than a mere favor. It also introduces the theme of financial power as a tool for connection and control, which will likely influence later conflicts.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Alex go to Ava’s gallery instead of just texting or calling?
Alex is too proud to admit he misses her, but his actions betray his feelings. Showing up in person allows him to assert control and observe her reaction. He also wants to see her environment and ensure she isn’t seeing someone else. The visit is an act of possessiveness disguised as concern.
2. How does Ava handle the confrontation?
Ava remains calm and honest. She explains she was giving him space because he called the kiss a mistake. She offers to step back from the lessons entirely, showing she will not beg for his attention. However, when Alex insists, she eventually agrees, partly because she still cares and partly because she is intimidated by his intensity.
3. What does the $40,000 art purchase reveal about Alex’s character?
The purchase demonstrates Alex’s immense wealth and his willingness to use it to solve problems. He buys the painting not because he values art but to intimidate Fred, secure Ava’s commission, and prove he can control any situation. It shows his manipulative side but also his desire to protect and provide for Ava in his own way.