Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Skylar reels from the leaked photos as West refuses to leave her side, offering comfort he can’t fully provide. Attempting normalcy, she goes to town and runs into Bree, who warns the scandal will harm West’s family and urges Skylar to let him go. Shaken, Skylar exits into a paparazzi ambush, escalating public scrutiny and deepening her fear for West’s kids.
Summary
Skylar, overwhelmed by shame and panic after her intimate photos leak, refuses breakfast with West’s kids and asks for space. West insists on staying with her, leading her to the lakeside where she confronts fears that his family and their friends will see the images. She blames herself for taking the photos, while West rejects that guilt and apologizes for what was done to her. Skylar notes Ford’s vow to scrub the internet and investigate, though she believes the damage is irreversible.
Seeking to prove she can function, Skylar runs an errand for birdseed while West goes to work. She hides under a hat and sunglasses, avoiding her phone after seeing opportunistic messages from her father and agent. In the pet store, she unexpectedly meets Bree, who calmly confesses she loves West and presses Skylar to admit her feelings.
Bree warns that the scandal will blow back on West’s family, especially his kids, and suggests that if Skylar truly loves him, she should let him go so he can be happy. The warning strikes at Skylar’s deepest fear, leaving her breathless and silent. Skylar pays and leaves the store.
Outside, Skylar walks straight into a waiting cluster of paparazzi, escalating her public exposure and confirming that the private bubble she found in Rose Hill has burst.
Who Appears
- SkylarProtagonist; devastated by leaked intimate photos, struggles with shame and guilt, seeks normalcy, confronted by Bree, then ambushed by paparazzi.
- WestRefuses to leave Skylar’s side, comforts her at the lake, rejects her self-blame, tries to shield family routine.
- BreeWest’s ex; confronts Skylar in the pet store, professes love for West, warns the scandal will hurt his kids, suggests letting him go.
- OllieWest’s son; briefly heard inside, central to Skylar’s fear about the leak hurting the children.
- EmmyWest’s daughter; mentioned as part of the family Skylar worries will be affected.