Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Naomi investigates Veronica Chesson and purchases a background check using her reinstated credit card, uncovering a past drug possession charge. While researching, Naomi becomes ill after drinking homemade kombucha. The discovery arms Naomi with potential leverage for custody, strengthening her resolve to expose Veronica’s risks and protect Teddy.
Summary
After Ezra leaves, Naomi fixates on uncovering Veronica Chesson’s identity and intentions. She sets up at her kitchen table with her laptop and homemade kombucha, determined to perform a deeper search than before.
Unable to find useful social media profiles, Naomi pays for a background check using her newly reinstated credit card. As the report loads, she drinks more of the kombucha, noting its intensely fermented taste.
The background check returns a hit: Veronica has a prior drug possession charge. Naomi immediately considers how this information could aid her custody case and questions whether Jeremy knows he has exposed Teddy to someone with that history.
Mid-thought, Naomi becomes violently ill from the kombucha, vomiting into the sink and resolving never to make it again. Shaken but galvanized by the discovery, she vows to keep digging into Veronica’s past to protect her son and regain control of her situation.
Who Appears
- NaomiProtagonist; investigates Veronica, pays for a background check, discovers a drug charge, gets sick from homemade kombucha, resolves to dig deeper.
- Veronica ChessonJeremy’s new partner; revealed by background check to have a past drug possession charge.
- JeremyNaomi’s husband; off-page presence whose involvement with Veronica alarms Naomi regarding Teddy’s safety.
- EzraNaomi’s attorney; his earlier visit spurs Naomi’s renewed investigation, though he does not appear in the scene.