Contents
Chapter 62
Overview
Floyd writes a confession to Laurel, revealing he remade his appearance to appeal to her and confirming via DNA that Poppy is Ellie’s child. He admits he accidentally killed Noelle after learning the truth and buried her in his garden. Floyd leaves his house to Poppy and asks Laurel to decide what to tell police and Poppy, urging her to take Poppy into the Mack family.
Summary
Floyd addresses Laurel in a confession, recounting how he became obsessed with her after Ellie’s disappearance. Studying media coverage, he noted Laurel’s poise and Paul’s distinct style. Floyd deliberately reinvented his appearance—clothes, grooming, glasses—to seem familiar and approachable to Laurel, hoping to create a connection and introduce Poppy to her grandmother.
During this period, Floyd secretly took a DNA test and learned Poppy was not his biological child, concluding she was Ellie’s and truly belonged with Laurel. He did not anticipate mutual attraction with Laurel and admits he took advantage of her trust and affection once they began a relationship.
Floyd explains he wanted Poppy and Laurel to bond outside official scrutiny and states that everything in his house belongs to Poppy. He then discloses the real reason he did not go to the police earlier: after Noelle confessed the truth about Ellie and Poppy’s parentage, Floyd confronted her; in a violent outburst meant to scare and hurt, he accidentally caused Noelle to fall and fatally hit her head. He kept Noelle’s body in a chest freezer until burying her in a newly raised flower bed in his garden.
Floyd leaves the decision to Laurel about informing the police and Poppy, pleading for forgiveness for his choices—from letting Noelle into his life to pursuing Laurel. He urges Laurel to move forward with Poppy and integrate her into the Mack family, framing his confession as both an explanation and a relinquishment of Poppy to her rightful family.
Who Appears
- FloydNarrator of a confession; remakes himself to attract Laurel, confirms Poppy’s parentage, admits accidentally killing Noelle, and bequeaths his house to Poppy.
- Laurel MackAddressee of Floyd’s letter; Poppy’s grandmother, urged to take custody and decide about police disclosure.
- PoppyChild revealed via DNA not to be Floyd’s; Ellie’s daughter, intended to join the Mack family and inherit Floyd’s house.
- Noelle DonnellyEllie’s former tutor and abductor; killed during Floyd’s confrontation and buried in his garden.
- Paul MackLaurel’s ex-husband; his style inspires Floyd’s makeover to appear familiar to Laurel.