The Wife Between Us

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Prologue-Chapter 3

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Part 1, Chapters 7-9

Part 1, Chapters 10-12

Part 1, Chapters 13-15

Part 1, Chapters 16-18

Part 2, Chapters 19-21

Part 2, Chapters 22-24

Part 2, Chapters 25-27

Part 2, Chapters 28-30

Part 3, Chapters 31-33

Part 3, Chapters 34-36

Part 3, Chapters 37-39

Part 3, Chapter 40-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Part 3, Chapters 37-39 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 3, Chapter 37 Summary

The next day, Richard arrives at Emma’s apartment while Vanessa crouches in the closet. Emma refused Vanessa’s plan and offered her own: She’ll fake being sick and establish distance slowly. Vanessa, who insisted on remaining near for Emma’s safety, is shocked by Emma’s quick improvisation and convincing tone. Richard dotes on Emma. He offers to cancel their meeting with Maureen the next day, but Emma refuses, to Vanessa’s surprise. Then, Emma tells Richard that Vanessa called that day and is certain that Emma has double-crossed her. She prepares for them to open the closet door as Richard curses and violently kicks the wall, but she instead hears Emma’s reassuring voice say that his ex-wife only wants to apologize. Richard says that Vanessa must be lying, but Emma assures him that Vanessa has changed. Finally, Richard leaves, and Emma opens the closet to release Vanessa.

Vanessa is wary that Emma may have rewarmed to Richard, turning against her, but Emma’s expressions suggest that she is equally wary of Vanessa. As Emma rushes Vanessa out of her apartment, Vanessa thinks that Emma doesn’t understand; she knows Richard has done this before—to his dark-haired ex as well as Vanessa—and will do this again.