Overview

Hallie travels alone to Boston to confront the rift with Mia DeLuca, determined to repair Rio’s relationship with his mother before Rio returns to Chicago. She asks Mia to hear her out, offers a written letter if needed, and explains she loves Rio and will be in their lives as he plans to move back to Boston. Mia, hurt by past secrecy, agrees to talk over coffee, and Hallie begins to recount what happened two weeks before Mia learned the truth years ago.

Full Summary

Hallie arrives at the DeLuca house in Boston, noting changes to the neighboring home where she once lived and feeling nervous to return after many years. She recalls the last time she saw Mia DeLuca, when Mia said she never wanted to see Hallie again, but knocks anyway, prepared with a letter in case Mia refuses to listen.

Mia opens the door smiling, then freezes when she sees Hallie. After a tense pause, Mia lets Hallie in. Surrounded by familiar rooms from her childhood, Hallie asks to talk, admitting desperation to fix the situation for Rio’s sake. Mia keeps her back turned as she makes coffee and asks why Hallie is there.

Hallie states plainly that she loves Rio and does not want to be the reason mother and son are estranged, especially with Rio planning to move back to Boston; she expects to visit often and eventually relocate. She shows Mia the letter, promising to leave it if Mia will not listen, and accepts that Mia may still hate her. Mia replies that she does not hate Hallie but feels betrayed because Hallie, who was like a daughter, kept the truth from her.

Hallie acknowledges the mistake, saying she has regretted it ever since because it cost her both Rio and Mia. She asks for a chance to explain—not to excuse—so they might move forward, initially for Rio and possibly for themselves. Mia invites Hallie to sit at the kitchen table, pours Bailey’s into their coffee to ease the tension, and remarks on Hallie’s upcoming birthday and Rio’s likely wish to spend it together.

Hallie confirms she will fly back in the morning before Rio’s team returns to Chicago and reiterates that Rio does not know she is there. When Mia asks what Hallie wants to tell her, Hallie says she needs to explain what happened two weeks before Mia discovered “everything” years ago. With Mia ready to listen, Hallie begins her account.

Who Appears

• Hallie — protagonist; travels to Boston without telling Rio to reconcile with Mia, offers a letter, and begins explaining past events preceding Mia learning the truth.
• Mia DeLuca — Rio’s mother; initially guarded but allows Hallie in, expresses hurt over past secrecy, shares coffee with Hallie, and agrees to listen.
• Rio DeLuca — Hallie’s boyfriend (off-page); discussed as the reason for the reconciliation attempt and his planned move back to Boston.