Never Lie
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
Adrienne briefly enjoys a sense of safety and domestic happiness with Luke, believing they have successfully neutralized EJ's blackmail. A chance meeting with patient Gail reinforces Adrienne's public identity as a respected psychiatrist, making the next blow even sharper. When EJ sends the tire-slashing video from another number and demands a meeting, Adrienne realizes their earlier plan failed and the threat to her career and relationship is still active.
Summary
Adrienne and Luke shop for groceries together, and Adrienne reflects on how supermarkets are designed to manipulate people into buying more than they planned. She lectures Luke about the psychology of store layouts, product placement, and music, then insists they follow their list exactly and avoid impulse purchases.
Luke treats the outing playfully and kisses Adrienne in the middle of the aisle. Adrienne allows herself to enjoy the moment because, in the week since Luke deleted the blackmail video from EJ's phone and computer, her life has seemed to stabilize. Luke has stayed with her almost continuously, EJ has not contacted her, and Adrienne feels happier and more hopeful than she has in a long time.
The mood shifts when one of Adrienne's patients, Gail, recognizes her in the store. Adrienne is embarrassed to be seen kissing Luke in public, but Gail warmly praises Adrienne's work as her psychiatrist. Gail says Adrienne's advice helped her reconcile with her son and overcome her paranoid thinking, and Adrienne notices that Gail appears healthier and more composed than before.
While Gail is speaking, Adrienne checks a buzzing phone message and discovers a video sent from an unfamiliar number. Adrienne immediately recognizes it as the incriminating footage of herself slashing the tires, which she believed Luke had eliminated. Realizing EJ kept another copy, Adrienne texts, asking what he wants. EJ replies, "Talk tonight," and Adrienne understands that the blackmail threat has not ended and may now be even more dangerous.
Who Appears
- Adrienne Halepsychiatrist narrator; enjoys time with Luke until EJ revives his blackmail with the hidden video
- Luke StraussAdrienne's lover; shops with her, flirts openly, and seems part of her hoped-for stability
- GailAdrienne's patient; appears healthier and praises Adrienne for helping resolve her paranoia
- EJblackmailing patient; contacts Adrienne from another number and reveals he still has the incriminating video