Wild Side Chapter 15 (Tabitha) 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
Tabitha (Tabby) watches Milo race downstairs to greet Rhys upon his return. Their affectionate reunion stirs guilt in her for hating Rhys. She spends the next days avoiding him, making extra food, and letting Rhys care for Milo. One morning, Rhys appears shirtless in the kitchen, startling Tabitha into spilling coffee on her hand. He insists on treating the burn, cradling her hand and lifting her onto the counter. While he applies lotion, Tabitha notices a heavy bruise below his collarbone. She touches it and questions his line of work—he denies doing porn but offers no explanation. He then offers to hire help for Milo, implying Tabitha is overwhelmed. Angered, she shoves his bruise and asks if he plans to take Milo with him tomorrow. He answers “No.” She retreats outside, feeling angry and aroused. The next day Rhys leaves without saying goodbye, and Tabitha feels guilty.
Key Events
- Milo and Rhys reunite with a warm embrace. Milo points to the plant (formerly Erika’s) and says he loves it. Rhys’s emotional reaction deepens Tabitha’s internal conflict.
- Tabitha avoids Rhys for several days, letting him take Milo to the lake while she stays home.
- At breakfast, Rhys walks in shirtless; Tabitha startles and burns her hand with coffee.
- Rhys treats the burn, holding her hand under cold water and lifting her onto the counter to apply burn lotion.
- Tabitha discovers a fading bruise on his collarbone and asks about it. Rhys deflects, reiterates he does not do porn.
- Rhys criticizes Tabitha’s exhaustion and offers to hire help for Milo, insinuating she cannot manage alone.
- Tabitha pushes his bruise and asks if he will take Milo when he leaves. He says no.
- Rhys departs the next day without a farewell; Tabitha feels guilty and conflicted.
Character Development
Tabitha: Her hatred for Rhys softens as she witnesses his genuine bond with Milo. She struggles with guilt, wondering if she has misjudged him. Her avoidant behavior and physical reaction to him (spilling coffee, feeling “angry and horny”) reveal suppressed attraction and vulnerability. Her fierce protectiveness over Milo and her exhaustion show a woman stretched thin but unwilling to admit weakness.
Rhys: He displays tenderness and patience, especially when tending Tabitha’s burn. His offer to hire help suggests he sees her struggle and genuinely wants to ease her burden, not just take Milo away. The unexplained bruise hints at a dangerous life outside his visits, deepening the mystery around his work.
Milo: The chapter emphasizes his emotional security: he sleeps with Tabitha, calls Rhys “Ree,” and freely expresses love for the plant. His easy transition between caregivers highlights his resilience.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Guilt and Blame: Tabitha realizes she has used Rhys as a scapegoat for her own feelings of failure regarding Erika. The repeated thought “I dislike Rhys is a safe place for me” underscores her psychological coping mechanism.
- Trust and Broken Promises: Pinky promises between Tabitha and Erika are a motif for broken trust. Erika’s lies make Tabitha question everything she believed about Rhys.
- Hidden Dangers: The bruise on Rhys’s collarbone represents the unknown violence in his life. Tabitha’s curiosity and his refusal to explain create tension.
- Caretaking and Vulnerability: Rhys’s insistence on treating Tabitha’s burn and his offer to hire help invert the usual power dynamic. He becomes the caregiver, exposing her neediness.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Tabitha’s perception of Rhys. She moves from outright hostility to reluctant empathy, acknowledging that he may not be the villain she assumed. The intimate burn-treatment scene creates physical and emotional tension, hinting at a romantic connection. The bruise introduces a plot thread about Rhys’s real job, suggesting future conflict or danger. Rhys’s departure without goodbye leaves Tabitha unsettled, setting the stage for their next encounter.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tabitha feel guilty after Rhys leaves without saying goodbye?
Tabitha’s guilt stems from her own conflicting feelings. She has spent days avoiding him yet feels responsible for the cold distance between them. His gentle care during the burn and his bond with Milo have eroded her anger, and she now regrets not making peace or acknowledging his help.
2. What does the bruise on Rhys’s collarbone suggest about his life?
The bruise implies physical conflict or dangerous work, contradicting his earlier statements. Tabitha assumes it comes from “porn,” but Rhys denies that. The faded yellow edges indicate it is several days old, suggesting he was injured shortly before arriving. This adds mystery to his character and hints at a high-risk profession or a violent past.
3. How does the plant (Erika) function as a symbol in this chapter?
The plant, once belonging to Erika, becomes a shared emotional anchor for Milo and Rhys. Milo’s love for it and Rhys’s choked response show that both still care for Erika despite her absence. The plant represents memory, loss, and the fragile connection between Rhys, Tabitha, and Milo.