Twisted Love Chapter 35 Summary: Ava Confronts Alex’s Secrets

⚠️ 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

Ava waits alone at an Italian restaurant for Alex, who is thirty minutes late and not answering calls or texts. A man named Elliott approaches her table; he remembers Ava from a past party and wants to hire her for his engagement photo shoot. They exchange numbers. Alex arrives, sees the interaction, and reacts with aggressive jealousy. Ava defends Elliott as a client. Over dinner, Ava reveals she has been accepted into the World Youth Photography program in New York. Alex congratulates her and says he will move to New York with her because the Archer Group has a Manhattan office. Just then, his phone vibrates, contradicting his earlier claim that it was dead. Ava confronts him about the lie and his true reason for being late. Alex refuses to explain, saying he sometimes isn't a good person and that some truths would hurt her. Frustrated, Ava throws down her napkin and leaves the restaurant.

Key Events

Ava waits anxiously for Alex, who is thirty minutes late and unreachable.
Elliott, a former acquaintance of Liam, approaches Ava and hires her for engagement photos.
Alex arrives, sees Elliott, and aggressively interrogates him before ordering.
Over dinner, Ava announces her acceptance into the World Youth Photography program.
Alex says he will relocate to New York for her because his company has an office there.
Alex’s phone vibrates, revealing he lied about having a dead battery.
Ava presses him for the truth about his lateness and secrecy.
Alex admits he is capable of wrongdoing and claims some truths are better left unknown.
Ava storms out, ending what should have been a celebratory evening.

Character Development

Ava Chen: Demonstrates growing independence by pursuing her photography dream despite the relationship’s uncertainty. She confronts Alex directly when she detects dishonesty, showing a shift from passive acceptance to demanding transparency.
Alex Volkov: His behavior reveals deep-seated secrecy and a possessive streak. He deflects Ava’s questions with vague warnings about his “not always good” nature, hinting at hidden actions but refusing to share them.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust vs. Secrecy: The central conflict arises when Alex’s phone buzzes, breaking the trust he just rebuilt. His refusal to explain creates a rift that Ava cannot ignore.
Ambition and Relationship Tension: Ava’s success in a New York program forces the couple to confront geographic and emotional distance, even as Alex claims he will follow her.
Control and Knowledge: Alex’s concept of “deniable plausibility” underscores his desire to control what Ava knows, protecting her from (and potentially hiding) his morally gray actions.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is a pivotal chapter for the Alex-Ava relationship. It exposes the fault lines beneath their passionate connection: Alex’s need for control and secrecy versus Ava’s need for honesty. Her decision to walk out marks a turning point where love alone is no longer sufficient if it is not built on truth. The chapter also solidifies Ava’s career path, setting the stage for the couple’s future in New York.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Alex lie about the battery on his phone?
Alex initially claims his phone was dead to explain why he didn’t respond to Ava’s calls and texts. The lie becomes obvious when the phone vibrates later at the table. The true reason for his secrecy is left ambiguous, but he implies it involves actions he considers morally questionable.
How does Ava’s acceptance to the photography program affect the dynamic between her and Alex?
The acceptance validates Ava’s artistic ambition and gives her a concrete reason to move to New York. Alex’s immediate offer to relocate appears supportive, but it also suggests he cannot bear to let her go. The news raises the stakes: either the couple grows together in a new city or drifts further apart.
What does Alex mean when he says, “If the notion of plausible deniability exists, it’s for a good reason”?
Alex is justifying his refusal to tell Ava the truth. He believes that if she does not know certain facts, she cannot be held accountable or harmed by them. The phrase reveals his mindset: he treats his moral compromises as burdens he must carry alone, even if that damages their trust.