Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
After Ollie is injured defending Skylar at school, Skylar decides to leave Rose Hill and return to Los Angeles, planning for the awards show and an eventual tour. Believing her presence harms West’s children, she ends the relationship, sets up education funds and royalties for the kids, and says a painful goodbye.
Summary
West brings Ollie home from school with a split lip and black eye. Skylar arrives, immediately concerned, and realizes Ollie fought because of comments made about her. Skylar apologizes to Ollie and Emmy, expressing love and gratitude, but her words sound like a goodbye to West.
After West drops the kids at Mia and Brandon’s, Mia vows to confront the school and the bully’s family. She senses West’s feelings for Skylar and notes the kids’ attachment, while West fears a looming change in Skylar.
That night, West and Skylar make love quietly, avoiding difficult conversations. In the morning, Skylar, distant and composed, announces she is returning to Los Angeles to prepare for the awards show and an upcoming tour. She insists that the public scrutiny around her is hurting West’s children and refuses to let their home be damaged by her fame.
West wants to fight for them but swallows his pleas, telling Skylar he wants what’s best for her. Outside, as her ride approaches, Skylar hands West an envelope: proceeds from selling her diamond earrings placed into education accounts for Ollie and Emmy, and paperwork crediting Ollie for lines he contributed to her song with future royalties.
They share a final, devastated kiss. Skylar departs, and West is left heartbroken, collapsing into a bed that still smells like her.
Who Appears
- WestNarrator; devastated as Skylar leaves, tries to stay dignified, supports injured Ollie, accepts her decision and gifts for the kids.
- SkylarDetermines her fame is hurting West’s children; decides to return to L.A. and tour; sets up education funds and royalties; says goodbye.
- OllieWest’s son; gets a black eye after fighting a bully who insulted Skylar; stoic, protective, credited for lines in Skylar’s song.
- EmmyWest’s daughter; defends Ollie, shows affection for Skylar, underscores the family bond Skylar fears harming.
- MiaWest’s ex; vows to confront the school and bully’s family; recognizes West’s happiness with Skylar.
- BrandonMia’s partner; helps settle the kids during the fallout from the school fight.