Chapter 25

Summary

• With winter setting in, Yara prepares her children, Mira and Jude, for school amidst a frost-covered landscape.
• At work, Yara reflects on the content of her notebook which preserves only her happy memories, creating a dissonance with her real-life struggles and online persona.
• Silas, Yara's colleague, interrupts her introspection to thank her for previous help and invites her to lunch at his mother's for authentic southern food.
• Yara wrestles with discomfort and the impropriety she perceives in accepting the lunch invitation, but ultimately agrees.
• Upon arriving at Silas's mother's house, Yara admires the country setting and cottage-style architecture.
• Yara has a tense introduction with Silas's mother, Josephine, where she encounters a strong familial resemblance but receives a warm welcome.
• Josephine confirms Yara has never had southern food, leading to a playful exchange about Silas's duty to introduce her to it.
• Silas's mother shows maternal instincts and discusses her son's nurturing side, prompting Yara to ask about Silas's daughter, Olivia.
• Silas and Josephine touch on family dynamics and Josephine's concerns for Olivia growing up in a separated home.
• The meal with Josephine involves chicken pastry with homemade dumplings, and they bond over the comfort of the food.
• Josephine queries Yara about her life compared to New York City, leading Yara to share about her sheltered, protective upbringing.
• Yara opens up about family matters when Josephine asks if she has family nearby, causing an emotional response in Yara leading to a hasty departure.
• Yara's tumultuous emotions leave her feeling overwhelmed to the point of considering self-harm but decides to reach out to Silas instead.
• After composing and deleting multiple drafts, Yara sends an apologetic email to Silas about her abrupt exit. He responds kindly and suggests a future meeting.
• Conflicted and emotionally exhausted, Yara chooses not to reply immediately and rests in her car as she waits for her children's release from school.