Overview

Hallie meets with Mia DeLuca to finally explain why she kept quiet about Stephanie’s affair with Marco years ago. The two women share their perspectives, admit regrets, and reconcile, lifting the weight of their shared past. Mia confesses she pushed Rio to choose her over Hallie back then, while Hallie reveals her silence was driven by fear for her ill father. They end the visit with forgiveness, a hug, and plans to share dinner.

Full Summary

Hallie finishes recounting to Mia DeLuca how, six years earlier, she discovered her mother Stephanie’s affair with Marco DeLuca but stayed silent for two weeks because Stephanie insisted disclosure might harm Hallie’s father, who had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hallie explains that fear kept her quiet, and she now wishes she had told Mia and Rio immediately.

Hallie recalls the day Mia discovered the affair in her own bedroom and how Rio comforted Mia until Mia revealed that Hallie had known, shattering Rio’s trust and prompting him to order Hallie to leave. Sitting together now, Mia tearfully notes how much Hallie resembles Stephanie, a likeness Hallie had tried to minimize by cutting her hair. Hallie apologizes for what Stephanie did and for her own silence.

Mia says she did not know Stephanie had pressured Hallie or that Hallie’s father was sick, and she expresses sorrow for the impossible position Hallie faced. Hallie acknowledges her terror at the time. Mia admits she reacted horribly and explains that, after losing her husband and best friend, she clung to Rio and made him share her anger.

Mia confesses that she effectively forced Rio to choose by making clear she could not accept him being with Hallie, equating his relationship with Hallie to siding with Stephanie. She says she spent years avoiding regret and trying not to revisit that pain, and when Rio recently mentioned Hallie again, her defenses rose and she repeated the same pattern. Mia now recognizes she was wrong and regrets making Rio choose.

Hallie clarifies she was never protecting Stephanie; she was always on the side of Mia, Rio, her brother Luke, and her father, and she has had no contact with Stephanie for years. Mia processes this new context and accepts that they were on the same side all along. Both women admit long-held regret and how consuming it has been.

Hallie reflects that, while she grieves the lost years with Rio, being kept from moving to Chicago then allowed her to be fully present for her father, and life ultimately brought her and Rio back together. Mia acknowledges the depth and longevity of Rio’s love for Hallie and expresses sorrow for causing their separation.

They share an emotional embrace, exchange apologies, and express that they missed each other. Mia invites Hallie to stay for dinner and hear about her life, and Hallie happily accepts, signaling a repaired relationship and a clean break from the past.

Who Appears

• Hallie — protagonist; explains her past silence about the affair due to fear for her father’s health, seeks reconciliation, and forgives and is forgiven by Mia.
• Mia DeLuca — Rio’s mother; admits she made Rio choose her over Hallie after the affair, expresses deep regret, reconciles with Hallie, invites her to dinner.
• Rio DeLuca — Hallie’s longtime love (discussed); was devastated by the affair revelation years ago and influenced by Mia’s demand to choose; his enduring love for Hallie is acknowledged.
• Stephanie — Hallie’s mother (discussed); had an affair with Marco and pressured Hallie to keep it secret, triggering the families’ rupture.
• Marco DeLuca — Rio’s father (discussed); had an affair with Stephanie, the catalyst of the family breakup.
• Hallie’s father — (discussed); was ill with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the time; his condition motivated Hallie’s silence; currently living in Minnesota and doing well.
• Luke — Hallie’s brother (discussed); lives in Minnesota with a wife and son.