Chapter 35
Contains spoilersOverview
After a late night with Evelyn, Monique wakes to an early call from her mother and shares her professional victories: a promotion and a promised cover story. Buoyed by praise, she embraces new confidence while avoiding David’s text. The chapter closes with ominous foreshadowing that Evelyn’s coming revelation will provoke Monique’s fierce hatred.
Summary
Monique arrives home at three in the morning after hours with Evelyn and welcomes the distraction of Evelyn’s story as a way to avoid her own life. She decides not to impose limits, goes to bed, and feels relieved she has a reason not to respond to David’s text.
She is awakened around nine on Saturday by a call from her mother, who can’t sleep after a small earthquake. Monique had planned to sleep in and spend the day transcribing her recordings of Evelyn’s interviews.
On the call, Monique recounts winning a promotion from Frankie and securing Evelyn’s agreement to a cover story. Her mother celebrates her assertiveness, saying Monique’s father would be proud, which prompts Monique to see herself differently—“Don’t mess with me, world. I’m out to get mine.” Monique hangs up feeling proud and validated.
The moment of confidence is undercut by the narrator’s warning: within a week, when Evelyn finishes her story and the true purpose of this project is revealed, Monique will hate Evelyn so much she’ll fear she might kill her.
Who Appears
- Monique Grant
Narrator; returns home at 3 A.M., avoids David’s text, updates her mother, embraces confidence, foreshadows rage at Evelyn.
- Monique's mother
Calls early after a small earthquake; praises Monique’s wins and says Monique’s father would be proud.
- Evelyn Hugo
Subject of Monique’s interviews; her marathon storytelling and looming revelation drive the chapter’s foreshadowed conflict.
- David
Sender of a text Monique avoids replying to; a reminder of her personal life.
- Frankie
Vivant editor in chief whom Monique convinced to grant her a promotion.