The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Fifty-Two
Overview
On the sleepless night before the wedding, Belly swims, then wakes Jeremiah to confess Conrad admitted lingering feelings. Jeremiah, already aware Belly secretly saw Conrad, confronts her about trust and unresolved attachments. He walks out to think, refusing her request to come along, leaving their wedding plans uncertain.
Summary
Unable to sleep on the hot night before the wedding, Belly obeys Taylor’s superstition to avoid Jeremiah’s room, then goes for a solitary midnight swim to calm herself. Realizing she cannot marry with a secret, she decides to tell Jeremiah the truth.
Belly wakes Jeremiah and takes him to the porch, admitting that Conrad confessed he still has feelings for her. Belly claims she rejected Conrad and hesitated to share it, hoping to avoid unnecessary hurt.
The confession triggers Jeremiah’s anger and insecurity. He accuses Belly of protecting Conrad and questions whether she is marrying him to erase Conrad. Belly insists her feelings for Conrad are only memories and asks to build a future together.
Jeremiah reveals he already knew Belly had seen Conrad at Christmas and again at Cousins, saying her secrecy undermined the trust she demanded from him after his cheating. He explains he waited for her to tell him and felt foolish when she didn’t.
Belly apologizes and tries to reaffirm their commitment hours before the ceremony, but Jeremiah says he needs space to think. He refuses her request to join him and leaves, with Belly stunned on the steps as their wedding suddenly hangs in doubt.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel)Sleepless before the wedding; confesses Conrad’s declaration; insists past is past; apologizes for secrecy; left unsure when Jeremiah walks out.
- Jeremiah FisherWoken by Belly; angered by Conrad’s confession and Belly’s secrecy; reveals he already knew; leaves to think, jeopardizing the wedding.
- Conrad FisherOffstage presence; recently confessed lingering feelings to Belly; prior meetings with Belly fuel Jeremiah’s distrust.
- TaylorWarns Belly it’s bad luck to sleep with Jeremiah before the wedding, prompting Belly to sleep alone.