Contents
Chapter 52
Overview
Natalie deduces Shannon gave Clementine a phone to document Yesteryear and confronts Clementine. Media inquiries explode as Shannon’s prime-time interview is announced, prompting Doug’s legal machine to spin. The house braces for scandal, while Doug pressures Caleb privately. Natalie calls her mother, who confesses past infidelity and rebukes Natalie’s lack of kindness.
Summary
Before dawn, Natalie realizes Shannon likely gave Clementine a phone and coached her to capture incriminating footage of the ranch. She confronts Clementine, who stonewalls and weaponizes Natalie’s aversion to scenes, revealing control over the situation but not surrendering the phone.
Simultaneously, Caleb’s inbox floods with media inquiries about assault allegations against Natalie. Natalie orders Caleb to call Doug. Doug’s New York legal team descends, crafting a strategy to minimize Shannon’s credibility and frame the scandal to benefit Doug’s campaign, even floating harmful optics.
A news segment announces Shannon’s full prime-time interview, previewing behind-the-scenes footage that contradicts Yesteryear’s image. The house goes into crisis mode: curtains drawn, schedules tightened, and unusual alliances form as everyone prepares. Natalie overhears Doug urging Caleb to “take care of things” and “think outside the box,” signaling covert pressure.
Overwhelmed, Natalie calls her mother. Seeking support, she instead hears a confession: her mother cheated years ago, asked Natalie’s father to leave, and later found spiritual absolution via Abigail’s pastor boyfriend. When Natalie condemns this, her mother pushes back, asserting that kindness is essential and accusing Natalie of lacking it, culminating in a shouted demand: why is it so hard for Natalie to be kind?
Who Appears
- Natalie Heller MillsProtagonist; deduces Clementine’s secret phone, coordinates crisis response, and is rebuked by her mother for lacking kindness.
- Clementine MillsThirteen-year-old daughter; secretly holds a phone, resists Natalie’s authority, and possibly recorded incriminating footage.
- Caleb MillsNatalie’s husband; panics over media emails, defers to Doug, receives veiled pressure to act.
- Doug MillsPatriarch and candidate; deploys legal team, assesses media optics, privately urges Caleb to ‘take care of things.’
- PaulLead attorney; shapes PR-legal strategy, seeks to undermine Shannon’s credibility for campaign advantage.
- ShannonFormer producer and accuser; allegedly gave Clementine a phone; secures prime-time interview with behind-the-scenes footage.
- Natalie’s motherConfesses past infidelity, challenges Natalie’s worldview, and demands kindness in a heated call.