Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
Ford finds West spiraling and bluntly calls out his defeatism, pushing him to fight for Skylar. Ford reveals Skylar exposed her father and agent for leaking her photos and publicly fired them. Spurred by this, West decides to pursue her immediately and secures Ford’s private jet, signaling a renewed pursuit.
Summary
At the arena, West struggles with sleeplessness and heartbreak, finding brief solace in working a young mare Skylar had watched him start. Ford arrives, awkwardly tries small talk, then shifts to a blunt confrontation about West’s collapse into self-pity.
Ford challenges West’s “I’ll survive” resignation, contrasting it with West’s history of protecting others. He insists that real love requires fighting through the worst moments and that Skylar, conditioned to expect abandonment, deserves better—so does West. The truth stings, forcing West to admit he gave up because he believed Skylar would inevitably leave.
As West absorbs this, Ford drops the bombshell: Skylar publicly exposed her father and agent for hacking her email and distributing the photos, fired them on live TV, and is trending ahead of a likely award win. The revelation jolts West’s desire to act, replacing resignation with urgency.
Galvanized, West asks to borrow Ford’s jet. Ford, satisfied his intervention landed, tells him it’s already fueled, clearing West’s path to go after Skylar immediately.
Who Appears
- WestHeartbroken and withdrawn until Ford confronts him; resolves to fight for Skylar and leaves on Ford’s jet.
- FordBest friend who stages a tough-love intervention; reveals the leak source and Skylar’s public firings; offers his jet.
- SkylarAbsent but central; publicly fires her father and agent for leaking photos and becomes a trending figure.
- Skylar’s fatherExposed by Skylar for hacking and distributing her photos; fired on live TV.
- Skylar’s agentComplicit in the photo leak; publicly fired by Skylar.