Easy to read full book summaries for any book.
The book tells the story of Emma and Justin, two individuals who meet through a Reddit thread and embark on a journey of self-discovery and love. Emma, a travel nurse, and Justin, a man who has become an unlikely good luck charm for his exes, start chatting and eventually decide to date each other to break the supposed curse that prevents them from finding their soulmates. As they navigate their relationship, they face various challenges, including Justin's new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, Emma's complicated past and her fear of commitment, and the chaos caused by Emma's mother, Amber. Despite these obstacles, they grow closer and develop strong feelings for each other. However, Emma's past traumas and avoidance of intimacy lead her to leave Justin, and she spends six months working on her mental health and personal growth. Eventually, she returns to Justin, and they reunite, with Emma finally ready to commit to their relationship and face her fears. The book explores themes of love, trauma, family, and personal growth, and ultimately suggests that with effort and dedication, people can overcome their past and find happiness with each other.
The narrator recounts a situation where his ex-roommate and childhood friend, Chad, left him with a significant financial burden after abruptly moving out to be with his new girlfriend. As a result, the narrator had to downsize to a smaller apartment with a undesirable view. In an act of playful revenge, the narrator adopted an unattractive dog and named it Chad, which has become a point of contention with his friend and his friend's girlfriend. The narrator is now seeking validation on whether his actions are justified or if he is being unreasonable.
The narrator, Emma, a travel nurse, stumbles upon a Reddit thread about a man who seems to be a good luck charm for his exes, as they all get married soon after breaking up with him. She reaches out to him, Justin, and they start chatting, exchanging stories and jokes. As they talk, Emma's friend Maddy helps her dig up more information about Justin, including his Instagram profile, LinkedIn page, and even an obituary for his father. Despite initial reservations about invading Justin's privacy, Emma continues to chat with him, and they discover they have some things in common, including a sense of humor and a penchant for gardening. As their conversation comes to a close, Emma reflects on how much they've learned about each other in a short amount of time, and Justin reveals that his Reddit thread has made him an unlikely celebrity, with many people reaching out to him for interviews and dates.
The narrator meets up with his friends Brad and Benny at a restaurant, where they discuss his recent internet fame due to his alleged "good luck charm" effect on his exes. Brad teases him about his single status and suggests that he ask out a travel nurse, Emma, whom he met through the Reddit thread. Brad proposes that if Justin dates Emma, who supposedly has the same "good luck charm" effect, they might cancel each other out and find their own soulmates. Justin is initially hesitant but considers Brad's words and decides to reach out to Emma, despite the uncertainty of their geographic distance. He starts typing a message to her, contemplating the possibility of taking a chance and seeing where things might go.
Emma and Justin continue to exchange messages and eventually talk on the phone, discussing their daily lives and getting to know each other. Justin suggests that they date each other to break the supposed curse that prevents them from finding their soulmates, and Emma agrees to consider it. As they talk, Emma learns more about Justin's life in Minnesota and his friends, and they discover common interests and sense of humor. Emma also shares about her complicated relationship with her mother, who has a history of disappearing and reappearing in her life. Meanwhile, Justin shows Emma around his town through video calls, taking her on a virtual tour of the Stone Arch Bridge and the Mississippi River. Their conversation flows easily, and they find themselves enjoying each other's company, despite the distance between them.
Justin spends time with his family, taking his brother Alex for driving lessons and picking up food for his siblings. He also interacts with his mom and her friend Leigh, who is known for her lively personality and multiple marriages. Justin's mom is scheduled to go to prison, and he will be taking custody of his siblings, which is causing him stress and anxiety. He finds solace in talking to Emma, and they discuss their plan to date each other to break the supposed curse that prevents them from finding their soulmates. They work out the details of their experiment, deciding on a minimum of four dates over the course of a month, with each date lasting at least three hours, and Justin initiating a kiss on one of the dates. As they talk, Justin feels a sense of distraction from his worries and enjoys Emma's company, sending her a draft of their plan and looking forward to their future interactions.
Emma continues to chat with Justin and they bond over their sense of humor. She shows him a funny graphic he made about breaking a curse with her, and they discuss their plan to date and break the supposed curse that prevents them from finding their soulmates. Meanwhile, Emma tries to convince her friend Maddy to change their travel plans from Hawaii to Minnesota, where Justin lives, so she can pursue her connection with him. After some persuasion, Maddy agrees, and they rent a historic cottage on an island in a lake in Minnesota. As they settle into their new home, Emma finds a bus bench with an ad for a local business and takes a picture of herself on it to send to Justin as a surprise, revealing that she has arrived in Minnesota.
Justin is shocked and thrilled when he receives a picture from Emma, showing her sitting on a bus bench in Minnesota, revealing that she has arrived in the state. He immediately calls her and learns that she has decided to spend six weeks in Minnesota instead of going to Hawaii as originally planned. Overjoyed by the news, Justin invites her to dinner and asks to meet up as soon as possible. They make plans to see each other the next day, with Emma inviting him to visit her at her cottage on an island in Lake Minnetonka. Justin is ecstatic about the opportunity to spend time with Emma and is eager to show her around his home state.
Emma settles into her new cottage on Lake Minnetonka with her friend Maddy, and they spend their evening relaxing and discussing Emma's upcoming date with Justin. Emma receives a surprise call from her mother, who announces that she has found Emma's old childhood toy, Stuffie, and plans to send it to her. Maddy convinces Emma to take a DNA test to potentially discover more about her family, despite Emma's initial reservations. Later, Emma receives a pre-date questionnaire from Justin, which she finds charming and humorous. She fills out the survey and receives an Evite invitation to their casual date, complete with a surprise activity and lunch. As Emma prepares for the date, she and Maddy encounter some challenges with the old boat they are using to get to and from the island, including a near-accident while docking. Despite the chaotic start to the day, Emma is excited to meet Justin and see where their date takes them.
Justin is nervous and excited as he prepares to meet Emma for their first date. When she arrives, he is taken aback by her beauty and struggles to compose himself. Despite his initial awkwardness, they quickly fall into an easy conversation and enjoy each other's company. They visit a house where Jane is fostering kittens, and Emma is delighted by the adorable animals. As they spend more time together, Justin learns about Emma's difficult childhood and her experiences in foster care. He is impressed by her kindness and empathy, particularly when she helps a disoriented woman who is waiting for an Uber. They have a fun and competitive game of chess at a quirky restaurant, and Justin finds himself feeling drawn to Emma. As the date comes to a close, Justin walks Emma back to the dock where her friend Maddy is waiting, and they make plans for their next date. Just as they are saying their goodbyes, a yacht arrives at the dock, and Emma is shocked to see her mother on board, a woman she had previously mentioned was struggling with mental health issues and had a history of abandoning her.
Emma's mother, Amber, arrives unexpectedly at the island where Emma is staying, after tracking down Emma's address and meeting their landlord, Neil. Amber's arrival causes tension, especially with Emma's friend Maddy, who is protective of Emma and wary of Amber's history of causing drama and destruction. Despite the initial chaos, Emma is happy to see her mother and agrees to join her for dinner, with Justin staying to provide support. As the evening progresses, Emma struggles with mixed emotions, feeling relieved that her mother is safe but also anxious about the potential consequences of her presence. Meanwhile, Amber's focus is on charming Neil, and Emma finds herself feeling overlooked and overshadowed by her mother's new connection. Justin's presence helps to ease the tension, and Emma appreciates his willingness to stay and support her through the challenging situation.
Justin and Emma find themselves on a luxurious yacht, hiding from the chaos caused by Emma's mother, Amber, and her new acquaintance, Neil. As they spend more time together, they make a deal to always tell each other the truth, no matter how embarrassing or difficult it may be. They share their thoughts and feelings, discussing everything from their attraction to each other to their concerns about Amber's intentions. Justin opens up about his own life, including his mother and his childhood, and Emma shares her worries about her mother's behavior and its potential impact on Neil. As they continue to talk, they grow closer, and their connection deepens. Eventually, they are summoned back to reality by Amber's announcement that dinner is ready, and they reluctantly leave their private sanctuary to rejoin the others.
Emma returns to her cottage after a chaotic evening with her mother and Neil, and shares the details with her friend Maddy. They discuss Emma's date with Justin, and Maddy notes that Emma is putting in more effort than usual, suggesting that she might be developing real feelings for him. Emma receives an "exit interview" from Justin, a humorous survey that asks her to rate their date and share her thoughts on their interaction. Emma is charmed by Justin's creativity and effort, and admits to Maddy that she would be very likely to date him again, even if they weren't trying to break a curse together. The conversation highlights Emma's growing connection with Justin and her friend Maddy's protective and observational nature.
Justin returns to his apartment to find his friend Brad eating leftovers in the kitchen. They discuss Justin's date with Emma, and Brad notices that Justin's feelings for her go beyond mere liking. Justin reveals that he's forgotten about their initial plan to break up after four dates and is now thinking of ways to make their time together special. However, he's hesitant to tell Emma about his upcoming responsibility of taking care of his siblings, worrying that it might change her perception of him. Meanwhile, Brad expresses his concern about Justin's relationship with his mother, who is struggling with personal issues, and encourages Justin to be more empathetic and supportive. Justin refuses, still harboring anger and resentment towards his mother's actions. The conversation ends with Brad leaving, and Justin is left to contemplate his feelings and the challenges that lie ahead.
Emma and her friend Maddy start their first day at Royaume Northwestern hospital, where they will be working as travel nurses. During their tour, they meet their charge nurse, Hector, who warns them about the chief of surgery, Dr. Rasmussen, and his bad temper. However, their attention is diverted when they unexpectedly run into Neil, their landlord, who reveals that he works in the same department. Emma is surprised to learn that Neil knows her mom, Amber, and that they seem to be in a relationship. Maddy is horrified by this development, fearing that Amber's presence will cause chaos and affect their work. Emma tries to downplay the situation, but Maddy is convinced that they are in trouble and urges Emma to talk to her mom and convince her to leave. The encounter leaves Emma and Maddy feeling uneasy and worried about their future at the hospital.
Emma visits her mother at Neil's mansion, where she's been staying and making changes to the house, including painting a mural on the wall. Emma is concerned about her mother's relationship with Neil, but her mother seems happy and claims to be in therapy. Emma and her friend Maddy get into a fight about Emma's mother, and Emma ends up going to Justin's house for dinner, where she meets his dog and his young sister, Chelsea. Justin is understanding and supportive as Emma shares her concerns about her mother and her fight with Maddy. As they spend more time together, Emma opens up to Justin about her past and her emotional struggles, including her tendency to withdraw and become "small" when she's stressed or overwhelmed. Justin listens and offers words of comfort, helping Emma to feel more at ease and understood.
Justin spends a cozy evening with Emma at his home, where they watch a movie and bond over their shared sense of humor. As they grow closer, Justin opens up to Emma about his mother's upcoming imprisonment and his decision to become the legal guardian of his siblings. Emma offers a unique perspective on Justin's mother's actions, suggesting that unhealed trauma and depression may have contributed to her behavior. She encourages Justin to choose empathy over anger and to try to understand his mother's motivations. As the night comes to a close, Justin is hesitant to end their time together and is already dreading the end of Emma's contract, which will take her away from him.
Emma spends a cozy evening with Justin, and as they walk to the dock, they share a comfortable silence, anticipating a kiss. However, their moment is interrupted by Emma's mother, Amber, who invites them to goat yoga. After Amber and her partner Neil go back inside, Justin and Emma continue their conversation, imagining a zombie apocalypse scenario and joking about outrunning zombies. As they part ways, Justin whispers "Next time..." in Emma's ear, leaving her with a flutter in her stomach. Emma gets on the pontoon with her friend Maddy, and as they drive away, Justin stands on the dock, watching her until he's out of sight. Despite their growing connection, Emma is hesitant about Justin's responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, which may pose a challenge to their budding relationship.
Justin prepares for his second date with Emma, exchanging texts and sharing music playlists. He spends time with his family, including his mom who is leaving for prison the next day, and visits his friend Brad to borrow a shirt and receive some gifts. Brad teases Justin about being "sprung" and "whipped" over Emma, and Justin confesses that he really likes her. Justin's friends offer to help him with his new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings and to make it possible for him to spend more time with Emma before she leaves. As Justin gets ready for his date, he reflects on the challenges that lie ahead, including his mom's imprisonment and his new role as a guardian, and how it may affect his budding relationship with Emma.
Emma prepares for her second date with Justin, who arrives at her location with a thoughtful gift - a large potted rosebush. As they greet and exchange pleasantries, Emma's friend Maddy observes their interaction and notes the effort Justin is putting into their relationship. Before Justin arrives, Maddy and Emma discuss their concerns about Emma's mother, Amber, and her unpredictable behavior. As Justin and Emma depart for their date in Stillwater, Maddy teases Emma about Justin's clear interest in her, referencing the idea that "if he wanted to, he would" make a genuine effort to pursue a relationship. The chapter ends with Emma pondering where to plant the rosebush, symbolizing her own reluctance to put down roots due to her impending departure from the area.
Justin and Emma are on their third date, visiting antique stores and searching for a creepy baby doll. They eventually find one and Emma is delighted, deciding to buy it. However, their date is interrupted when Justin's mom, Christine, and her friend Leigh call, drunk and in need of a ride. Justin and Emma pick them up and learn that they got banned from Uber after trying to transport baby raccoons they found. The raccoons are currently in the car, and Emma is smitten with them. As they drive, Christine and Leigh's antics provide comedic relief, but the mood turns somber when Christine breaks down in tears, upset about going to prison the next day. Emma, having worked in a women's prison, offers words of comfort and reassurance, helping to calm Christine down. Despite the chaos, Justin feels a sense of comfort with Emma, who doesn't judge him or his family's eccentricities. The date ends with a sense of hope and acceptance, as Christine and Leigh enjoy their sundaes and Emma holds Justin's hand, providing a sense of comfort and support.
Emma and Justin's third date comes to a close, with a surprise interruption from his mother and her friend Leigh, who had been drinking and needed a ride. After dropping them off, Justin and Emma share a moment outside Neil's house, where Justin eventually leans in to kiss her, but instead kisses her on the forehead, leaving her surprised and wanting more. As they part ways, Emma reflects on her feelings, realizing that she wants Justin to think about her and talk about her, and that she's excited by the prospect of being important to him. She also acknowledges that their relationship can't work out in the long term, given her desire for freedom and spontaneity, and her reluctance to take on the responsibility of raising Justin's siblings. Despite this, Emma can't help but feel drawn to Justin and the way he makes her feel, and she looks forward to their next date.
Justin's life is turned upside down as his mother leaves for prison, leaving him to care for his siblings. He struggles to come to terms with the reality of his new responsibilities and the emotional weight of his family's situation. Meanwhile, he receives a text from Emma, who is checking in on him, and he finds himself torn between his growing feelings for her and the challenges of his new role as a guardian. Justin's friends, Brad and Benny, offer their support and help him take care of his siblings, planning a trip to the Mall of America and Great Wolf Lodge to distract them from their mother's departure. As Justin navigates this difficult time, he realizes that his relationship with Emma may be doomed by his new circumstances, and he feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for his siblings and the weight of his family's problems.
Emma meets up with Justin at the Mall of America, where he is spending the day with his siblings. She agrees to join him and they plan to take old-timey photos and enjoy the various attractions at the mall. When she arrives, Justin is delighted to see her and introduces her to his sister Chelsea. As they spend time together, Justin becomes more affectionate, hugging Emma and holding her hand, leaving her feeling flustered and blushing. Despite her initial reluctance, Emma finds herself drawn to Justin's charm and the ease with which they interact. As they navigate the mall, Emma's friend Maddy observes their budding relationship with interest, noting the strong connection between them.
Justin spends the day with Emma and his siblings at the Mall of America, trying to make the most of their time together despite the challenges he's facing with his mother's imprisonment and his new responsibilities as a guardian. As they explore the mall, Justin finds himself drawn to Emma and makes an effort to touch her and be close to her, feeling a strong connection between them. However, their time together is interrupted by his siblings, particularly his sister Sarah, who is upset and wants to leave. Emma offers Justin advice on how to handle his siblings, suggesting that he let Sarah bring a friend next time to make the experience more enjoyable for her. As the day comes to a close, Justin walks Emma out of the mall and they share a moment together, with Emma kissing him on the forehead and Justin feeling a strong emotional response. Despite their growing feelings for each other, Emma's aloofness and her impending departure from the area leave Justin uncertain about their future together.
Emma and her friend Maddy discuss their day at the Mall of America with Justin and his siblings, with Maddy noticing the strong connection between Emma and Justin. Maddy confronts Emma about her reluctance to date Justin due to his new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, suggesting that Emma is using this as an excuse to avoid commitment. Emma admits that she likes Justin but feels that his lifestyle is not compatible with hers. Despite this, Maddy arranges for Emma to meet Justin alone at the Great Wolf Lodge, where he returns Maddy's purse that she had left in his bag. Justin takes the opportunity to kiss Emma, leaving her surprised and wanting more. However, he stops abruptly, stating that he will see her next week and that the kiss doesn't count as part of their agreement. Emma is left feeling frustrated and intrigued by Justin's behavior, wondering what his strategy is and whether she will be able to resist his charms.
Justin is exchanging playful texts with Emma, where she teases him about being an asshole, but he responds lightheartedly, suggesting that she secretly admires his kissing skills and misses him. Despite the chaos in his life, including his mother's imprisonment and his new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, Justin can't help but feel uplifted by his interactions with Emma. He finds himself smiling as he drifts off to sleep in an uncomfortable hotel bed at a water park, where he is currently staying with his siblings.
Emma is working at the hospital when her mother, Amber, visits her at the nurses' station, bringing lunch for her partner Neil, who is a doctor at the hospital. Emma's friend Maddy notes that Amber only reaches out to Emma when it serves her own interests, and that she has been neglecting Emma lately. Emma is hurt by this realization, but her mood is lifted when Justin surprises her with a visit and lunch. They exchange flirtatious banter, and Emma finds herself drawn to Justin's charming and caring nature. Later, Emma and Justin talk on the phone, and he invites her to come over to his house, hinting that he wants to spend the night with her. Despite initial hesitation, Emma agrees, but a thunderstorm prevents her from taking the boat to his house. Justin reassures her that it's okay, and they express their mutual desire to be together, with Justin admitting that Emma is the only thing making him happy lately.
Justin is excited for his date with Emma, planning a romantic evening with a historic bridge walk, pizza, and a Music in the Park event. However, his plans are disrupted when he receives a call from his friend Leigh, informing him that his siblings have head lice and need his help. Emma agrees to accompany him to his home to help with the delousing process, and in a playful and romantic gesture, Justin asks her to be his partner in this task, even getting down on one knee and pretending it's a proposal. As they head to his home, they share a moment of tenderness and intimacy, with Emma showing her caring and supportive side. Despite the chaos and unpredictability of Justin's life, their connection grows stronger, and they find joy and humor in the unexpected twists and turns of their relationship.
Emma helps Justin's sister Sarah with her head lice treatment, sharing her own experiences with foster care and difficulties in her childhood to comfort and relate to Sarah. As they spend time together, Emma learns more about Sarah's feelings and concerns about her mother's imprisonment and her family's situation. Emma also buys Sarah hair dye as a surprise, which brings joy and excitement to the young girl. Meanwhile, Emma and Justin's relationship continues to grow, with Emma noticing the strong bond between Justin and his siblings, and appreciating his efforts to care for them. Emma and Sarah also conspire together, agreeing that Justin shouldn't rename his dog, which is named after his ex-roommate Chad. The chapter showcases Emma's empathetic and caring nature, as well as her increasing connection with Justin and his family.
Justin and Emma engage in a fun and flirtatious experiment to test her theory that she could survive a zombie apocalypse. Their playful interaction turns into a romantic and intimate moment, but it's abruptly halted when Justin realizes that Emma doesn't feel the same depth of emotions for him. She confesses that she likes him, but her impending departure and his new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings make a relationship impossible. The scene shifts to a dramatic confrontation between Neil and Emma's mother, Amber, which ends with Neil calming her down and taking care of her. As the night concludes, Justin talks to Maddy, who reveals that Emma is incapable of falling in love due to her past experiences, and advises Justin to prepare himself for Emma's inevitable departure. Despite this, Justin holds onto hope that their connection is strong enough to overcome Emma's emotional limitations.
Emma is severely ill with a stomach virus, experiencing intense vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. She's alone on the island where she's staying, and her attempts to care for herself are hindered by her weakness and dehydration. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, she becomes desperate and starts to panic, feeling abandoned and scared. Her phone rings, and she answers a call from Justin, admitting to him that she's extremely sick and doesn't know what to do. The chapter ends with Emma's plea for help, and Justin's response is left uncertain, leaving the reader wondering what will happen next.
Justin rushes to Emma's aid after she calls him, sounding severely ill with a stomach virus. He faces numerous obstacles, including not having a boat to reach her island, but he perseveres and eventually uses a rainbow unicorn floatie to paddle to her location. After arriving, he breaks into her house to find her in a desperate state, burning up with fever and unable to keep anything down. Justin calls for medical help, reaching out to his friend's sister, an ER doctor, to come to the island and provide assistance. He takes care of Emma as best he can, changing her trash can and putting a cold washcloth on her forehead, before leaving to meet the doctor at the dock, hoping to get Emma the help she needs as soon as possible.
Emma is severely ill with a stomach virus and is alone on the island where she's staying. Justin comes to her aid, bringing two emergency medicine physicians, Jacob and Briana, to treat her. After Emma receives medical attention and starts to feel better, Justin takes care of her, bringing her food, drinks, and medication. As the day progresses, Emma's feelings for Justin deepen, and she realizes that she's been missing him. When she wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers that Justin has stayed with her, sleeping on a small bench in her bedroom, she feels a strong emotional connection to him. She invites him to join her in bed, and they cuddle together, feeling a sense of comfort and belonging. Emma wants to express her feelings to Justin, but struggles to put them into words. Justin reassures her that he will never leave her unless she tells him to, and Emma feels a sense of security and happiness in his presence.
Justin takes care of Emma as she recovers from a stomach virus, making her oatmeal and keeping her company. They have a heartfelt conversation, and Justin confesses that he missed her, to which Emma replies that she missed him too. Despite the awkwardness and unspoken feelings between them, they try to enjoy each other's company. Justin opens up about his week, his kids, and his mother's situation, and Emma shows genuine interest and care. However, the reality of their situation and the impending end of their relationship hang over them, making their interactions bittersweet. As they spend time together, Justin starts to feel unwell, and the chapter ends with him rushing to the bathroom, leaving Emma concerned.
Justin and Emma spend the day together, both recovering from a stomach virus. They watch movies, share food, and engage in playful banter, despite their illness. As they grow closer, Emma takes care of Justin, and they share tender moments, including touches and cuddles. Justin confesses that he doesn't want their time together to end and is hesitant to accept that their fourth and final date has come to a close. Emma teases him about not kissing her yet, and Justin is unsure of how to proceed, given their agreed-upon plan. As the day comes to a close, Justin reflects on his feelings for Emma and the impending goodbye that will come when she leaves. He struggles with the idea of letting her go, having grown attached to her presence in his life. Despite the uncertainty of their future, they continue to cherish the time they have together, enjoying each other's company and the comfort of their blossoming connection.
Emma and Justin's relationship reaches a turning point as they spend more time together on the island. They engage in playful activities, such as a Nerf gun fight, and their sexual tension becomes increasingly palpable. As they finally give in to their desires and have sex, Emma is overwhelmed with emotions and starts crying, revealing her deep-seated fears and insecurities about love and commitment. Justin is gentle and supportive, and they share a profound moment of connection, with Emma admitting that she likes him more than she's ever liked anyone, and Justin reciprocating her feelings. As they navigate their emotions, Emma begins to confront her past and the reasons why she's always been afraid to stay in one place and form meaningful connections with others. The chapter ends with Emma and Justin lost in each other, their love and desire for each other providing a sense of safety and calm amidst the uncertainty and chaos of their lives.
Justin's life returns to normal after spending four days with Emma on the island, but he struggles to adjust to the chaos and responsibilities of his daily life. He takes care of his siblings, deals with household chores, and tries to catch up on work, all while thinking about Emma and their time together. Meanwhile, Emma seems distant and unsure about their relationship, leaving Justin wondering if she will stay or leave. However, in a surprising turn of events, Emma shows up at Justin's house, bringing a rosebush and expressing her willingness to try and make their relationship work, despite the challenges and uncertainties they face.
Emma wakes up at Justin's house, and they share a romantic morning together, but their intimacy is interrupted by Justin's sister Chelsea, who is having nightmares. Emma takes care of Chelsea, and they all have breakfast together, marking a significant moment in their relationship as Emma is now fully integrated into Justin's family life. As they spend more time together, Emma realizes that she loves Justin, but is hesitant to express her feelings due to her past experiences and fear of commitment. Justin, on the other hand, is open about his emotions and tells Emma that he loves her in a casual yet profound way. The chapter ends with a romantic and intimate moment between Emma and Justin, as they share a kiss and a deep connection, with Emma feeling like time has stood still and that every second with Justin is eternal.
Emma's life is disrupted when her mother, Amber, has a breakdown at her partner Neil's house, destroying property and throwing his clothes on the lawn. Emma rushes to the scene to find her mother in a desperate state, and she tries to calm her down and clean up the mess. As Emma deals with the aftermath, she realizes that her mother's behavior is a repeat of past patterns and that she needs to set boundaries to protect herself. With the help of her friend Maddy, Emma begins to come to terms with her mother's actions and the emotional toll it takes on her. Meanwhile, Emma's relationship with Justin is put on hold as she navigates this difficult situation, and she starts to understand the importance of prioritizing her own well-being and setting boundaries with her mother.
Justin receives a text from Maddy about Emma's mother, Amber, having a breakdown at her partner Neil's house, and he rushes to help. He finds Emma trying to clean up the mess and is filled with protectiveness and anger towards Amber. As they work together to clean up, Justin realizes the extent of Amber's emotional toll on Emma and the pattern of behavior that has been repeating itself since Emma's childhood. Despite the chaos, Justin is determined to support Emma and help her through this difficult time. As the day comes to a close, Emma becomes withdrawn and distant, and Justin recognizes that she is "small" and needs space and care. He takes her to his home, where she can rest and recover, and plans to make dinner and watch movies with her. Justin reflects on the challenges of his own life, including his new responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, but is willing to make time for Emma and prioritize their relationship.
Emma's birthday is marked by a series of revelations about her family and her past. She discovers that her mother, Amber, has been hiding a significant amount of information from her, including the existence of a half-brother, Daniel, and a large extended family. Emma meets Daniel and his family, and they share stories and photos that reveal a shocking truth: Amber had a comfortable and loving family, but chose to keep Emma separate from them and fabricate a life of hardship and struggle. The discovery sparks a mix of emotions in Emma, including anger, sadness, and a sense of betrayal. With the support of her boyfriend Justin and friend Maddy, Emma begins to process the truth about her mother's past and the choices she made. The chapter ends with Emma asking Justin to take her to confront her mother, determined to face the truth and demand answers.
Emma confronts her mother, Amber, about the lies and abandonment she has suffered throughout her life. She discovers that her mother's family would have taken her in and loved her, but Amber chose to keep her away from them. Emma's mother reveals that she was trying to protect Emma from being kept by her family, but Emma sees this as a selfish act. The confrontation ends with Emma cutting ties with her mother, feeling a sense of detachment and numbness. She realizes that she is not capable of loving or being loved, and that she will inevitably hurt those around her. Emma decides to leave, to spare her loved ones the pain of her eventual departure, and to protect herself from the risk of being hurt again. She calls an Uber and prepares to disappear, leaving behind her friends, her boyfriend Justin, and the life she has built.
Justin and Maddy wait for Emma to finish her confrontation with her mother, but when they go to check on her, they discover that the house is on fire. They learn that Emma's mother, Amber, started the fire and that Emma has left the scene, getting into an Uber. Justin tries to call Emma, but she doesn't answer, and Maddy discovers that Emma's luggage is gone and she is heading to the airport. Maddy tells Justin to go home and wait, and that she will try to track Emma down. Meanwhile, Neil, the owner of the burning house, seems strangely calm and even happy about the situation, suggesting that he feels his "debt to the universe" has been paid. The chapter ends with Justin waiting anxiously to hear from Maddy and unsure of what will happen next.
Emma is in a hotel room near the airport, struggling to cope with the revelation that her entire life was a lie. She's distant, detached, and feels like she's aged decades in a single day. Her best friend Maddy finds her and tries to help her process her emotions, revealing that she's been researching Emma's behavior and suspects she has an avoidant attachment style due to her traumatic past. Maddy encourages Emma to face her issues and fix them, rather than running away. Emma agrees to let Maddy help her and asks to see her boyfriend Justin one last time to explain why she can't be with him. Maddy agrees and tells Emma that after they visit Justin, they will be going somewhere Emma should have been all along, implying a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Justin waits anxiously for Emma to arrive after she texted him that she would be coming to talk. When she arrives, he can sense that something is wrong and tries to persuade her to stay, but she explains that she needs to leave because she's not okay and doesn't want to inflict her instability on him and the kids. Justin confesses his love for her and begs her to stay, but Emma is resolute in her decision, feeling that she needs to deal with her own issues before she can be a good partner or parent. Despite his desperation, Justin ultimately understands and accepts her decision, acknowledging that she's making the right choice for everyone involved. The chapter ends with a heartbreaking goodbye, as Justin comes to terms with the fact that Emma is truly gone and will not be coming back.
Six months after leaving Justin, Emma has been living in Wakan and working on her mental health. She's been in therapy and has been learning to cope with her past traumas. On the six-month anniversary of her arrival in Wakan, Emma decides to reach out to Justin and see if there's still a chance for them to be together. She drives to his house, but before she arrives, she receives a call from his sister Sarah, who needs her help with getting pads for her first period. Emma agrees to pick Sarah up from school and takes her to get the necessary supplies. As they spend time together, Emma learns that Justin's family has been doing well and that they've developed new traditions and routines. Sarah reveals that they all miss Emma and that she feels like Emma was a part of their family. Emma is touched by Sarah's words and decides to go inside the house when they arrive, hoping to see Justin and potentially rekindle their relationship.
Justin is struggling to cope with the pain of Emma's absence, six months after she left him. He has been trying to move on and focus on his responsibilities as a guardian to his siblings, but her sudden reappearance at his home, to help his sister Sarah with her first period, brings up a mix of emotions. They have a tense and awkward conversation, and Justin can't help but feel hurt and jealous, wondering if Emma is seeing someone else. He confesses that he's happy to see her, but her presence stirs up a lot of emotions and he wishes she hadn't come, as it only serves as a reminder of what he can't have. Emma apologizes and prepares to leave, leaving Justin to grapple with his lingering feelings and the uncertainty of their situation.
Emma visits Justin at his home, six months after she left him, and is met with a mix of emotions. Despite his initial coldness and wish that she hadn't come, Emma decides to be honest with him and tells him that she loves him. She explains that she was traumatized and dealing with PTSD when she left, but has since been working on herself and is now ready to be with him. Justin, who had been hurt by her departure, is taken aback by her confession, but eventually opens up and forgives her. The two share a emotional and intimate moment, and Justin asks Emma to stay with him, promising a future together. Emma, who had been afraid of commitment and love, finally feels ready to settle down and be with Justin, and the two share a romantic and hopeful moment, suggesting a new beginning for their relationship.