Chapter 32

Contains spoilers

Overview

Sarah Morgan hosts a tense family dinner to finally tell her daughter Summer about the impending divorce from Bob Miller. Summer reacts with grief and anger, fleeing the table, while Sarah and Bob trade barbs that escalate into veiled threats. Bob claims he has an “insurance policy” that he will send to police if missing woman Stacy Howard does not reappear, implying leverage over Sarah. The scene ends with Sarah denying involvement yet internally fearing what Bob might hold against her and thinking darkly about him.

Summary

At a deliberately prepared “last supper” of family favorites, Sarah Morgan plans to tell her daughter Summer about the divorce from Bob Miller. The atmosphere is strained as Sarah tries small talk before revealing the decision. Summer immediately cries and pleads for them not to separate, asking why they cannot make it work. Sarah explains it is not Summer’s fault and that they tried, while Bob remains largely silent.

As the conversation deteriorates, Summer stands, screams that she hates both parents, and storms to her room, blasting music. Sarah and Bob then confront each other. Bob sarcastically blames Sarah for the timing and alludes to Sarah framing him for Stacy Howard’s disappearance. Sarah refuses to engage with the accusation, and they exchange recriminations about Bob’s infidelity and Sarah’s inability to forgive.

Bob escalates by invoking Adam Morgan, asserting that Sarah is unforgettable because Adam thought of her during his long imprisonment and execution. Sarah rebuffs the comparison, but Bob claims he long ago secured an “insurance policy” against Sarah to prevent her from doing to him what she did to Adam. Sarah tries to read whether he is bluffing and insists she does not know what he is talking about.

Bob issues a direct ultimatum: if Stacy Howard does not reappear, his insurance policy will go to the police. Sarah denies knowledge again while internally panicking about what leverage Bob might possess. The dinner ends with Bob smug and threatening, and Sarah seething and thinking that she should have killed him when she had the chance.

Who Appears

  • Sarah Morgan
    attorney and narrator; tells Summer about the divorce, clashes with Bob, denies involvement with Stacy Howard, and fears Bob’s claimed leverage.
  • Bob Miller
    Sarah’s husband; antagonistic at dinner, accuses Sarah of framing him for Stacy’s disappearance, and claims to have an “insurance policy” he will send to police if Stacy does not reappear.
  • Summer Miller
    Sarah and Bob’s daughter; devastated by the divorce news, yells at both parents, and retreats to her room.
  • Adam Morgan
    discussed; Bob cites Adam’s imprisonment and execution to threaten and unsettle Sarah.
  • Stacy Howard
    discussed; missing woman whose disappearance Bob links to Sarah as leverage.
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