Chapter 56

Veronica narrates that after three months of sleeping with Jeremy, he abruptly announces he is going to leave Naomi. They are in Veronica’s apartment rather than running, a shift that suits Veronica even as she assumes the affair must end someday because Jeremy is married with a child.

Jeremy explains he has consulted a top Long Island lawyer who believes he can win full custody if he is strategic, even “playing dirty” if necessary. He insists joint custody is unsafe because Naomi is irresponsible and unstable, escalating his portrayal by suggesting she could be dangerous.

Veronica feels guilty at the prospect of Naomi losing Teddy and recalls her own abducted infant, a trauma she has not told Jeremy about. Jeremy frames his decision as driven by love for Veronica and concern for Teddy, saying he would not have left Naomi otherwise.

To protect the process and Teddy, Jeremy proposes they “cool it,” seeing each other less and carefully. He also worries for Veronica’s safety if Naomi finds out. Veronica agrees, distinguishing that he should leave Naomi for his own unhappiness, not solely for her.

Despite their plan for caution, they become careless. The chapter ends with Naomi catching them, setting up an immediate confrontation and heightening the stakes of the impending divorce and custody battle.