Chapter 23: Tabitha – The Revelation of Wild Side
⚠️ 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
After the wedding reception, Tabitha returns home with Rhys. Cora, Ford’s daughter, is watching Milo and is absorbed in a professional wrestling replay. Tabitha notices the masked wrestler “Wild Side” and immediately recognizes Rhys from his tattoos, posture, and mannerisms. She confronts him and he admits the truth: he is a professional wrestler who keeps his career private because people either mock the sport or treat him differently. Tabitha is stunned by the magnitude of his sacrifice—he gave up anonymity and financial security to marry her without a prenup. She initiates a pinky promise that she will never take anything that belongs to him, and he repeats the vow. The chapter ends with a moment of genuine connection, revealing Rhys’s vulnerability and Tabitha’s growing understanding of the man she married.
Key Events
- Tabitha arrives home, barefoot, and notes Rhys’s lingering physical reaction to their wedding.
- Cleocatra greets Rhys affectionately; Tabitha wonders if the man she married knows how to let someone love him.
- Cora is watching a professional wrestling replay; Tabitha sits down and becomes drawn into the action.
- The masked wrestler “Wild Side” appears, and Tabitha identifies him as Rhys through his tattoos, his walk, and the way he curls his hand.
- Tabitha rewinds the broadcast and forces Rhys to watch his own entrance.
- Rhys admits his secret career, explaining he avoids telling people because they become weird or ask for money.
- Tabitha realizes Rhys has sacrificed his privacy and financial security to help her keep Milo.
- The two exchange a pinky promise never to take from each other.
Character Development
Tabitha
Tabitha moves from surface-level attraction to genuine curiosity. She stops seeing Rhys as a smug stranger and begins to perceive his hidden layers. Her decision to promise not to take his money shows a shift from viewing the marriage as a transaction to valuing the person.
Rhys
Rhys reveals himself as not just a stoic stunt double but a professional wrestler who performs under a mask. His embarrassment and confession that he loves his job yet prefers anonymity expose a tender, insecure side. He proves his commitment by not demanding a prenup and by repeating the pinky promise with sincerity.
Cora
Though a minor character, Cora serves as a catalyst. Her fandom of Wild Side contrasts with her shyness around Rhys, and her presence allows Tabitha to discover the truth organically.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Masks and Identity – Rhys’s literal wrestling mask symbolizes the figurative masks he wears in everyday life. Tabitha penetrates both layers in this chapter.
Trust through Vulnerability – Rhys admits a secret he rarely shares, and Tabitha responds with a pinky promise — a childlike but sincere gesture that establishes mutual trust.
Sacrifice and Generosity – Rhys’s decision to marry without a prenup is reframed as a profound act of giving, especially given his wealth and desire for privacy.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point in Tabitha and Rhys’s relationship. It strips away the last major secret between them and replaces suspicion with understanding. Rhys’s vulnerability humanizes him, and Tabitha’s protective reaction solidifies her loyalty. The pinky promise becomes a symbolic contract that matters more than any legal document, foreshadowing the emotional foundation of their partnership.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Tabitha recognize Rhys as Wild Side? What details give him away? She identifies him by his distinctive tattoos, the way he curls his fingers into fists with his thumb swiping over his index finger, his confident walk, and the shape of his lips even under the mask.
2. Why does Rhys keep his wrestling career a secret? What reasons does he give? He says people either mock wrestling as fake, treat him like a joke, or ask for money in roundabout ways. He values his anonymity and solitude, and sharing his job often brings unwanted attention.
3. What is the significance of the pinky promise at the end of the chapter? It echoes their earlier conversation about pinky promises not being legally binding. By repeating the vow, both agree that their word is enough. For Tabitha, it signals she will not exploit Rhys; for Rhys, it represents his willingness to trust her completely.