Verity Chapter 18 (Chapter Thirteen) – A Terrifying Night
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Chapter Summary
Lowen Ashleigh wakes in the middle of the night to find herself lying in Verity Crawford’s bed. Panicked and disoriented, she realizes she has sleepwalked from her own room. She screams before clamping her hand over her mouth, then flees downstairs. Jeremy catches her in the hallway and tries to calm her. Lowen explains that she has a history of sleepwalking and that she took Xanax earlier, which may have triggered the episode. She becomes increasingly distraught, confessing a traumatic childhood sleepwalking event: at age ten she walked outside, stood on a porch railing for an hour, then jumped, breaking her wrist without waking. Her mother, terrified, sent her for a two-week psychiatric evaluation and installed multiple locks on her own door. Jeremy listens patiently, reassures Lowen that sleepwalking is not her fault, and offers to stay with her until she falls asleep. He holds her stiffly but gently, and just before leaving he kisses her hair. The chapter deepens Lowen’s struggle with self-trust and highlights Jeremy’s compassion.
Key Events
- Lowen wakes up in Verity’s bed and realizes she has sleepwalked.
- She screams when she sees Verity, then covers her mouth and runs from the room.
- Jeremy finds her in the hallway; he embraces her and tries to soothe her.
- Lowen explains her sleepwalking history and the effect of Xanax.
- She recounts the childhood incident: standing on a railing for an hour and jumping, breaking her wrist.
- Her mother’s fear led to a psychiatric evaluation and locks on her bedroom door.
- Jeremy reassures Lowen and stays with her until she falls asleep.
- After Lowen sleeps, Jeremy kisses her hair before leaving.
Character Development
Lowen Ashleigh: This chapter reveals a deeply vulnerable side of Lowen. She is terrified—not of Verity or Jeremy, but of what she herself might do while unconscious. The childhood trauma resurfaces, and she admits she cannot trust her own mind. Her near-packing and desire to leave show her instinct to flee when threatened. Yet she stays, allowing Jeremy to comfort her, which hints at a growing reliance on him.
Jeremy Crawford: Jeremy’s reaction is measured and kind. He does not blame Lowen for sleepwalking into his wife’s bed; instead, he listens without judgment. He learns about her past and responds with empathy, not fear. His physical comfort is careful—he holds her but keeps the gesture platonic—yet his final kiss on her hair suggests a deepening tenderness. Jeremy is clearly wrestling with his own feelings as he tries to protect Lowen while remaining loyal to Verity.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Sleepwalking as Loss of Control: Lowen’s sleepwalking embodies her fear of losing agency. She is capable of harming herself (or others) without awareness, mirroring the broader theme of unreliable minds in the novel. The episode in Verity’s bed forces her to confront her own unconscious desires or fears.
Maternal Fear and Rejection: Lowen’s mother installed locks on her own door after the childhood sleepwalking incident, signaling fear rather than support. This maternal rejection haunts Lowen and contrasts with Jeremy’s acceptance, making his compassion more significant.
Trust and Vulnerability: The chapter explores the fragile nature of trust—both trusting oneself and trusting another. Jeremy’s willingness to stay with Lowen despite the disturbing event suggests that trust can be rebuilt, but Lowen’s doubt in her own reliability remains a central conflict.
The Motif of Locks and Barriers: Lowen earlier requested a lock on her door to prevent sleepwalking. Now she realizes even a lock may not be enough. This motif reinforces the idea that trauma and fear can create invisible barriers between people.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 18 is a turning point for Lowen’s internal conflict. It deepens her backstory, revealing why she is so anxious and self-doubting. The sleepwalking incident also intensifies the suspense: her unconscious mind led her to Verity’s bed, raising questions about what else she might be suppressing. For Jeremy, his gentle response shows he is willing to accept Lowen’s flaws, moving their relationship toward deeper intimacy. The chapter also echoes the novel’s larger themes about memory, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the childhood sleepwalking incident shape Lowen’s present sense of identity?
Lowen’s childhood trauma—breaking her wrist while in a dissociative state—teaches her that her own mind can betray her. She grows up mistrusting herself, which manifests in her adult anxiety and her fear that she might repeat such behavior. The incident also shows her mother’s fear, reinforcing Lowen’s belief that she is dangerous or unlovable.
2. Why does Jeremy react with calm rather than anger or alarm when Lowen wakes in Verity’s bed?
Jeremy has already seen Lowen’s vulnerability and cares for her. He recognizes that sleepwalking is involuntary and not a sign of malicious intent. His reaction contrasts with Verity’s manipulative behavior, showing he is capable of empathy. He also likely senses that Lowen needs reassurance, not blame, to trust him.
3. What does the lock on Lowen’s door symbolize in this chapter?
The lock represents Lowen’s attempt to control her unconscious self and protect others from her potential actions. However, the sleepwalking episode proves that even a physical barrier cannot contain her trauma. The lock becomes a symbol of the limits of control—both Lowen’s and Jeremy’s—over the secrets and fears in the Crawford house.