It Ends with Us, #2
It Starts with Us
by Colleen Hoover
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Two: Lily
Overview
Lily and Atlas briefly meet before each faces a difficult family confrontation: Atlas with Sutton about Josh, and Lily with Ryle about Emerson’s safety. Supported by Allysa and Marshall, Lily demands anger management and supervised visitation for Ryle after his threats and violence.
Ryle resists but, confronted by his sister and brother-in-law’s support for Lily, accepts the immediate terms instead of escalating. The chapter marks a major shift in Lily’s custody conflict, as Lily no longer faces Ryle alone and begins enforcing firm boundaries for Emerson.
Summary
Lily receives a text from Atlas while preparing Emerson for dinner at Allysa and Marshall’s. Atlas appears at Lily’s door without Josh, but quickly reassures Lily that Josh is safely at Atlas’s house. Atlas admits he is going to his restaurant to meet Sutton privately and discuss Josh, because Atlas believes Sutton becomes worse with an audience.
As Atlas walks Lily and Emerson to Lily’s car, Emerson willingly goes to Atlas and rests against Atlas’s chest, moving both Lily and Atlas. Atlas and Lily recognize that they are both heading into difficult family confrontations on the same day: Atlas with Sutton, and Lily with Ryle. Atlas tells Lily he loves her before leaving, and Lily drives to Allysa’s in an unexpectedly hopeful mood.
At Allysa and Marshall’s apartment, Lily arrives for dinner knowing Ryle does not know the real purpose of the visit. Allysa has arranged for Ryle to be in the kitchen, and after Lily enters, Allysa directs both Lily and Ryle to the table for a conversation. Lily feels steadier than expected because Allysa, Marshall, and Ryle’s mother are nearby, and because Atlas’s earlier confrontation with Ryle has helped reduce Lily’s fear.
Lily tells Ryle that she has spoken to her lawyer and wants Ryle to undergo anger management. Ryle initially laughs and tries to leave, but Allysa tells Ryle to sit down, and Ryle obeys despite his anger. Lily adds that while Ryle is in anger management, Ryle’s visits with Emerson should be supervised by Allysa or Marshall, and that the family will decide later whether unsupervised visits with both Emerson and Rylee feel safe.
When Ryle reacts with indignation, Marshall enters and confirms he knows about Ryle pinning Lily against a door, sending threatening texts, and making threats after Lily mentioned her lawyer. With Allysa and Marshall openly supporting Lily, Lily warns Ryle that Emerson’s safety is her priority and that Lily will fight Ryle in court if Ryle threatens or harms Lily or Emerson. Allysa states that she loves Ryle but will help Lily.
Cornered and facing unified consequences, Ryle does not argue further. Ryle says he is off Thursday and will come to Allysa and Marshall’s around ten if Emerson is there, effectively accepting the supervised-visit arrangement for now. After Ryle leaves, Lily breaks down in relief, and Allysa comforts Lily; their tension dissolves into laughter as Lily realizes they have accomplished something important.
Who Appears
- LilyConfronts Ryle with firm boundaries, demanding anger management and supervised visits for Emerson.
- RyleResists Lily’s demands but yields when Allysa and Marshall support her conditions.
- AllysaSupports Lily, helps stage the conversation, and commits to protecting Emerson.
- MarshallBacks Lily by naming Ryle’s violence, threats, and texts during the confrontation.
- AtlasVisits Lily for reassurance before meeting Sutton privately about Josh.
- EmersonLily and Ryle’s daughter, whose safety motivates the visitation boundaries.
- SuttonJosh’s mother, whom Atlas plans to meet privately to discuss Josh.
- JoshRemains safely at Atlas’s home while Atlas handles Sutton.
- RyleeAllysa and Marshall’s daughter, included in concerns about Ryle’s unsupervised access.
- Ryle’s motherPresent in the apartment, indirectly helping keep Ryle’s behavior restrained.