The Only One Left
by Riley Sager
Contents
Chapter Forty-Three
Overview
Patrick’s confession about Kit’s mother turns Kit’s grief into hatred just as Lenora confronts him with a shotgun and finally learns his role in the Hope family tragedy. Their struggle coincides with the long-threatened collapse of Hope’s End, forcing Kit and Patrick to work together to rescue Virginia.
Lenora refuses to leave the house, choosing to die with it, and Patrick follows her back inside after helping save Virginia. Hope’s End then falls into the ocean, ending the house’s long legacy of violence while leaving Kit alive to carry Virginia forward.
Summary
Kit is left in shock and despair after Patrick admits that Kit’s mother willingly took the pills and that he chose to help end her suffering. He insists he never meant for Kit to be blamed, but he also admits he stayed silent while she was investigated, suspended, and left to believe she had caused her mother’s death. Kit finally voices her hatred, devastated both by the secret suicide pact and by Patrick’s refusal to clear her name.
The confrontation is interrupted when Lenora enters with a loaded shotgun. Patrick identifies himself, and Lenora realizes he is the man connected to her sister and to the violence that destroyed her family. When Lenora lowers the gun after seeing that Kit did not know the truth, Patrick seizes the opening, lunges at her, and shoves her into the hallway. The shotgun fires during their struggle, missing Patrick, and Lenora tumbles down the Grand Stairs.
At that same moment, Hope’s End begins to shake violently as the unstable house and cliff give way. Kit realizes the house is about to collapse and tells Lenora to get out while she goes for Virginia. Patrick initially says there is not enough time, but when Kit begs him to help because he owes both Kit and Virginia, he agrees. Together they reach Virginia’s room, where the floor is sharply slanted and furniture is sliding, and they carry Virginia out.
Patrick and Kit struggle down the buckling staircase with Virginia and make it outside. When Kit tries to help Lenora escape too, Lenora refuses, saying she cannot leave Hope’s End and that it is finally Virginia’s turn to live free of it. Lenora tells Kit to take good care of Virginia and remains inside, fully aware that she will die with the house.
Once outside, Kit checks Virginia and notices that, aside from Patrick’s wound, they have survived the escape. Patrick gently rejects Kit’s attempt to tend him, tells her she has always been his pride and joy, and kisses her cheek. He then returns to the house, where Kit sees him sit beside Lenora on the stairs. As they clasp hands, Hope’s End collapses with the failing cliff and slides into the ocean, taking both Patrick and Lenora with it.
Who Appears
- Kit McDeereConfronts Patrick’s betrayal, tries to save everyone, and escapes with Virginia.
- Patrick "Ricky" McDeereConfesses his role in Kit’s mother’s death, helps rescue Virginia, then returns to die in Hope’s End.
- Lenora HopeConfronts Patrick with a shotgun, refuses rescue, and chooses to remain in the collapsing house.
- Virginia HopeBedridden survivor whom Kit and Patrick carry out as Hope’s End falls apart.