Chapter 28

After the incident with Teddy’s stabbed toy elephant, Naomi meets Cora at a local bar while both have childcare covered. Naomi recounts the turmoil with Jeremy but deliberately omits her suspicion that Veronica tried to poison her, fearing it will sound paranoid.

Cora listens and diagnoses Jeremy’s pattern as gaslighting, citing how he changes meeting times and then convinces Naomi she misheard because there’s no written proof. She challenges Naomi’s lingering defense of Jeremy and calls out how cruel he has been.

Cora urges Naomi to move on, even floating possibilities like meeting someone at the bar or considering Ezra. Naomi refuses, saying she isn’t ready and still has feelings for Jeremy despite his behavior.

Turning to the looming mediation, Cora frames it as a war that Naomi must enter decisively, predicting Jeremy will eventually surrender. Naomi acknowledges Cora’s logic but privately remains conflicted.

As they part, Naomi accepts that Jeremy has treated her badly yet can’t fully let go. She withholds her poisoning suspicion and admits she still worries Jeremy may be in danger himself, complicating her resolve ahead of mediation.