Chapter 21 Summary: Tabitha and Rhys’s Wedding Ceremony
⚠️ 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 recites her vows with Rhys’s steady presence calming her nerves. His thumb strokes her hand each time she falters, grounding her. Though she cycles through contradictory feelings—Rhys might take Milo from her, yet he keeps showing up to support them—she cannot deny how much easier he makes the day. After exchanging simple gold bands, Doris pronounces them husband and wife. The kiss that follows is brief but electric: Rhys’s lips press to hers, his stubble grazing her skin, and a deep groan rumbles in his throat. Tabitha whimpers and pulls him closer before West’s hoot reminds them of the audience. As they separate, foreheads touching, Tabitha realizes she has kissed plenty of men—but none of them felt like that.
Key Events
- Tabitha struggles through her vows; Rhys steadies her with a gentle thumb stroke.
- Rhys slips a simple gold ring onto Tabitha’s finger, murmuring words of love and devotion.
- Tabitha hesitates while placing Rhys’s ring, experiencing a “free-fall” of doubt.
- Rhys supports her wrist without being asked, grounding her again.
- Doris announces they may kiss the bride.
- Tabitha asks Rhys if he is still sure; he whispers back, and she confirms “Yes.”
- They share their first kiss—chaste yet charged, with no tongue but palpable heat.
- West’s cheer breaks the spell, and Doris pronounces them married.
- Tabitha notes Rhys’s furrowed brow and wonders if he is as confused as she is.
Character Development
Tabitha moves from self-doubt and resistance to a surprising openness. Her internal monologue reveals a woman caught between protecting her son and yearning for connection. The kiss shakes her because it feels different from past experiences, hinting that her feelings for Rhys are becoming real.
Rhys demonstrates consistent care: he steadies Tabitha during the vows, checks on her consent before the kiss, and shows restraint. His surly expression afterward suggests he too is processing the intimacy of the moment.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Fake Marriage vs. Real Emotion — The ceremony is presented as a charade, but the emotional and physical responses of both characters challenge its artificiality. The gold bands symbolize commitment that neither fully expected to feel.
Consent and Support — Rhys’s whispered “Are you still sure?” before the kiss underscores the theme of mutual respect. His constant physical support (holding her hand, steadying her wrist) contrasts with Tabitha’s earlier fears about his intentions.
Attraction as Disruption — The kiss rattles Tabitha’s careful mental walls. Her thought “none of them have felt like that” signals that this physical connection cannot be dismissed as merely convenient.
Why This Chapter Matters
This wedding scene serves as the emotional turning point in Tabitha and Rhys’s relationship. The kiss transforms their arrangement from a transactional custody strategy into something charged with genuine desire. It also lays the groundwork for future conflict: Tabitha’s confusion and Rhys’s guarded expression suggest that crossing this boundary will have consequences.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tabitha hesitate when placing the ring on Rhys’s finger?
Tabitha experiences a “free-fall” of doubt because the finality of the act makes her realize the ceremony is real, not a game. She questions her decision until Rhys’s steadying hand reminds her he is still supporting her.
2. What does Rhys’s whisper—“Are you still sure?”—reveal about his character?
It shows Rhys prioritizes Tabitha’s consent and emotional safety over the performance of the marriage. Even in a staged event, he gives her an escape route, highlighting his underlying care.
3. How does the kiss differ from Tabitha’s past kisses, according to her final thought?
Tabitha reflects that although she has kissed many men, none felt like this kiss with Rhys. The difference lies in the intensity, the mutual urgency, and the emotional resonance that shakes her usual defenses.