Chapter 18 (Chapter 16: Rhys) Summary and 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

Rhys texts Tabitha about whether to tell Milo about their marriage. She wants to avoid it, but Rhys insists on honesty, and they agree to tell him together. Rhys then calls his wrestling manager Anthony to request time off for a wedding. Anthony is frustrated—the chapter comes mid-feud and Rhys is supposed to be preparing a comeback—but eventually concedes, sending Rhys a costume for promotional filming. At home, Tabitha and Milo are drawing cats; Milo shows Rhys his art and encourages him to pet Cleocatra. Rhys reluctantly does so. They then tell Milo they are getting married. Milo asks if they will be like a mom and dad, then joyfully tells his imaginary friend Erika. Rhys is moved, realizing he would do anything for Milo, even marry a woman who can’t stand him.

Key Events

Rhys texts Tabitha; they agree to tell Milo together.
Rhys calls Anthony and requests leave for a wedding; Anthony reluctantly agrees.
Domestic scene: Milo draws deformed cats, Tabitha silently threatens Rhys into complimenting them.
Rhys pets Cleocatra under Milo’s prompting; Tabitha enjoys his discomfort.
Rhys and Tabitha tell Milo they are getting married.
Milo asks if they will be like a mom and dad, then expresses happiness and talks to Erika.
Rhys reflects on his growing attachment and willingness to sacrifice for Milo.

Character Development

Rhys: Shows vulnerability by insisting on honesty with Milo. Demonstrates willingness to prioritize family over career—a departure from his usual solitude and control. Reluctantly softens toward the cat, mirroring his gradual opening up to domestic life.
Tabitha: Balances nervousness with determination. Her silent threats and smug satisfaction reveal her playful side, while her fear of lying to Milo shows her protective nature.
Milo: Displays resilience and emotional intelligence. He assumes news is bad at first, but once reassured, he embraces the change and shares it with his imaginary friend, indicating a secure attachment.
Anthony: Represents the professional world Rhys is stepping away from. His reaction is pragmatic but grudgingly supportive, highlighting the tension between Rhys’s career and new family obligations.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Honesty vs. avoidance: Rhys argues that lying to a three-year-old is wrong, especially when the truth will inevitably surface at the wedding. The chapter emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate truth-telling.
Sacrifice and control: Rhys gives up control over his career storyline and accepts Anthony’s terms. He feels “out of control” for the first time in years, yet he chooses this sacrifice for Milo.
Domesticity and coziness: The simple act of sitting at a table together while Milo draws creates a sense of closeness Rhys admits he has “always craved.” This theme of found family runs throughout.
The cat as symbol: Cleocatra is initially an unwelcome intruder for Rhys, but his eventual reluctant petting signals his willingness to embrace the messy, loving parts of his new life.
Imaginary friend Erika: Milo’s turn to Erika after hearing the news shows how he processes big emotions through play—a mirror of Rhys’s own need to process his feelings privately.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Rhys’s character arc. He publicly prioritizes his fake marriage over his high-stakes wrestling career, showing genuine commitment to Milo. The domestic scene with the cat and the drawings humanizes Rhys, moving him from reluctant participant to active caretaker. Milo’s unconditional acceptance of the news contrasts with Rhys’s internal turmoil, underscoring the chapter’s central lesson: family is built through small, honest moments, not grand gestures.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Rhys insist on telling Milo the truth, rather than following Tabitha’s suggestion to keep him oblivious?
Rhys argues that Milo is young but not stupid, and that he will hear people talking at the wedding. He believes lying would be worse for Milo in the long run, showing that Rhys is already thinking like a parent.
How does Anthony’s reaction to Rhys’s news reflect the cost of Rhys’s choice?
Anthony is angry and disappointed, emphasizing the professional fallout: storylines must be rewritten, coworkers are inconvenienced, and Rhys owes a future favor. This highlights that Rhys is sacrificing his career stability for his new family.
What does Milo’s response to the marriage announcement reveal about his character and his emotional needs?
Milo initially fears bad news, then asks if they will be “like a mom and a dad.” His joy and subsequent declaration to Erika show he craves stability and belonging. His quick acceptance suggests he trusts Tabitha and Rhys, making him a resilient child.