Chapter 14: A Crisis on the Wedding Eve
Warning: This chapter contains graphic depictions of sexual assault and violence. Read with care.
Summary
Felicity hears Taylor crash into her apartment at 2 a.m. the night before the wedding. He is extremely drunk. When she tries to send him to his parents' apartment, he becomes belligerent and rapes her violently, causing severe physical injuries and a miscarriage. After he leaves, Felicity calls her sister Violet, who takes her to a hospital. Felicity reports the assault to the police and her mother Dominique cancels the wedding. Dominique calls Bill, her former lover, for legal advice. Bill immediately comes to the hospital, decides to leave his wife Eileen, and begins coordinating with police. Taylor is arrested and faces multiple charges, including intent to commit murder. In the following weeks, Felicity recovers, sends Taylor's belongings back, and resumes her art career. Dominique and Bill start living together in the city and rent a house in East Hampton. They also begin planning Marie-Aurélie's wedding in Saint-Tropez. Bill and Eileen agree to divorce amicably.
Key Events
- Taylor enters Felicity's apartment drunk at 2 a.m. and refuses to leave for his parents' home.
- He becomes enraged, slaps Felicity, and rapes her on the couch, causing a miscarriage and serious injuries.
- Felicity calls Violet, who takes her to Lenox Hill Hospital; the police photograph her injuries and take her statement.
- A hospital resident informs Felicity that she has miscarried; Felicity feels relieved not to carry Taylor's child after learning she was pregnant.
- Dominique cancels the wedding via email to all guests, vendors, and Elizabeth Whitfield.
- Dominique calls Bill, who comes to the hospital and takes charge of legal matters; he tells Dominique he loves her and will end his marriage to Eileen.
- Taylor is arrested at his parents' apartment, arraigned, and sent for a 30-day psychiatric evaluation; the Whitfields try to minimize the assault but are shown photos of Felicity's injuries.
- Felicity sends back Taylor's belongings and engagement ring, discards the damaged couch, and hires a cleanup service.
- Dominique's assistants spend a week unwinding wedding logistics; lost deposits are deemed acceptable compared to Felicity's safety.
- Bill and Dominique begin living together in the city and rent a house in East Hampton for weekends.
- Bill and Eileen agree to divorce; Eileen expresses gratitude for Bill's care during her recovery and wants to travel.
- Dominique starts planning her mother Marie-Aurélie's wedding in Saint-Tropez for July.
Character Development
- Felicity: Implies a previous rape by Taylor after their engagement, yet felt unable to act. The attack forces her to end the relationship and press charges. She shows resilience by reclaiming her apartment, returning to her art, and considering a new start in Paris.
- Taylor: The chapter reveals his violent, unstable nature exacerbated by alcohol. His behavior confirms a pattern of abuse and possible mental illness, leading to his arrest and psychiatric evaluation.
- Dominique: Takes decisive action to cancel the wedding and support Felicity. Her call to Bill marks a shift in her personal life; she reopens their relationship and prioritizes her own happiness.
- Bill: Moves quickly to help Felicity and Dominique. His decision to divorce Eileen is a major turning point—he admits he has wasted years and commits to a life with Dominique.
- Violet: Remains loyal and supportive, immediately coming to Felicity's aid at the hospital.
- Marlene: Initially viewed with skepticism, she reveals compassion by sitting with Felicity and sharing her own experience of rape, earning Dominique's appreciation.
- Eileen: Shows grace by not contesting the divorce and acknowledging their relationship had been a lie.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- The Cost of Secrets: Felicity hid her first rape and her pregnancy; these secrets allowed Taylor's violence to escalate. The chapter implies that silence enables abuse.
- Alcohol as a Catalyst: Taylor's drunkenness unleashes a "madman" inside him, reinforcing the motif of alcohol as a destructive force that strips away self-control.
- Family as a Lifeline: Dominique, Violet, and even Marlene form a protective circle around Felicity. The hospital scene emphasizes how family (chosen or blood) provides crucial support in crises.
- Reclamation and Healing: Felicity physically cleanses her apartment—sending back Taylor's things, discarding the couch, and hiring a disaster service—symbolizing her psychological effort to erase his presence.
- New Beginnings from Ruin: Bill and Dominique's relationship deepens directly because of the tragedy, and the canceled wedding clears the way for Marie-Aurélie's wedding in Saint-Tropez.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the emotional pivot of the novel. The idealized wedding narrative collapses into violence, forcing every major character to confront hard truths. Felicity's assault destroys the illusion of a fairy-tale union and underscores the real dangers of ignoring warning signs. It authorizes Dominique to reject years of self-denial and pursue a genuine partnership with Bill. It also sets up the legal and emotional aftermath that will shape the rest of the story, while planting the seeds for the next wedding—Marie-Aurélie's—which promises a more hopeful contrast.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Felicity initially blame herself for the rape, and what does her self-doubt reveal about her character?
Felicity wonders if she provoked Taylor, which reflects a common psychological response to intimate-partner violence. Her doubt shows that even a strong, self-aware woman can internalize guilt when the abuser is someone she planned to marry. This moment highlights the insidious nature of gaslighting and the difficulty victims face in externalizing blame.
2. How does the author use the miscarriage to advance the plot and theme?
The miscarriage removes the biological tie to Taylor, making a clean breakup possible. It also deepens Felicity's relief—she wanted an abortion but was prevented by Taylor's refusal. The fetal death symbolizes the death of the relationship and frees Felicity from a forced maternal bond, reinforcing the theme that some endings are necessary for healing.
3. What does Bill's immediate response to Dominique's call reveal about his priorities?
Bill drops everything—his role as Eileen's primary caretaker, his routine in Greenwich—to be at the hospital within an hour. He states he should have left Eileen's house long ago. This shows that his love for Dominique and his sense of moral duty overrule his previous inertia. The crisis becomes his catalyst for finally ending a stagnant marriage.