Contents
Chapter 65
Overview
Veronica, bound in Naomi’s basement, reveals Teddy is her biological son. Ezra arrives after hearing Veronica’s screams, but Naomi pushes him down the stairs, leaving him gravely injured. Naomi reframes the abduction as a rescue from neglect and prepares to set a fire, escalating to imminent lethal violence.
Summary
Veronica, restrained in Naomi’s basement, realizes Naomi intends to kill her after Veronica admits Teddy is her biological child. She manages to loosen the duct tape and scream when she hears someone upstairs.
Ezra Fletcher, Naomi’s lawyer, hears Veronica and approaches the basement. Naomi intercepts him and pushes him down the stairs. Ezra lies motionless in a pool of blood, likely critically injured, extinguishing Veronica’s immediate hope of rescue.
Confronted with the truth, Naomi claims she did not steal Teddy but saved him—describing finding the newborn abandoned in a car while a man, surrounded by needles, was passed out in front. Veronica rejects this justification, asserting her maternal claim and love for her son.
Naomi escalates the threat: she abandons the scissors, smashes a bottle of scotch to spread liquor across the floor, and announces she only needs matches. Veronica understands Naomi is preparing to start a fire, turning the standoff into an imminent, potentially fatal attempt to eliminate witnesses.
Who Appears
- VeronicaBound captive in Naomi’s basement; reveals Teddy is her biological son; pleads and resists; faces imminent murder.
- NaomiCaptor; rejects theft accusation by claiming a rescue; pushes Ezra down the stairs; prepares arson to kill Veronica.
- Ezra FletcherNaomi’s lawyer who arrives after hearing screams; is shoved down the basement stairs and left gravely injured.