Chapter 41

Naomi retrieves duct tape from the pantry, noting its poor adhesion, and binds Veronica’s wrists and ankles, adding a gag to stop any calls for help. Concerned Teddy might overhear, Naomi decides the wine cellar is the only place far enough away to keep their conversation private.

With Veronica still woozy, Naomi drags her across the floor and down the stairs, letting gravity help and even allowing a few head bumps to keep Veronica disoriented. She reflects on the cellar’s chill, Jeremy’s meticulous wine and spirits collection, and his habit of having scotch after Teddy’s bedtime.

In the dim, frigid cellar, Naomi studies Veronica’s striking beauty and recognizes Jeremy’s enduring attraction as an ongoing threat. An inner echo of Naomi’s mother urges her to “get rid of her,” prompting a chilling moment where Naomi imagines killing Veronica, then firmly rejects the idea as not who she is.

Seeking leverage without murder, Naomi fixates on diminishing Veronica’s appeal and wonders if Jeremy still keeps the scissors in the same place, implying a potential plan to disfigure rather than kill as she prepares for the confrontation.