These chapters mark a critical turning point, as long-held secrets shatter the Hunter family's facade, exposing a web of deceit and setting the stage for desperate confrontations. Mia's relentless pursuit of the truth collides with the crumbling foundation of her marriage, unleashing a torrent of revelations that irrevocably alter the lives of everyone involved.
Chapter 36: I Will Save Them
Mia confronts Finn Hunter with a schoolbook belonging to his father, Dave Hunter, convinced the handwriting matches the chilling message carved into the nursery skirting board: "I will save them from the attic." Finn, weary of Mia's obsession, dismisses it as coincidence, sparking a heated argument. He accuses her of prioritizing her investigation over their son, Sonny Hunter, and explodes when he learns she left Sonny unattended. In a fit of rage, Finn shoves Mia and storms out to retrieve their son, highlighting the growing chasm between them.
Chapter 37: A Cancer in Our Family
Debbie Hunter confronts Mia, feigning concern for her mental health while subtly defending Dave's connection to the house. She vehemently denies Dave ever set foot in the house before they bought it, swearing on Finn's life, showcasing the theme of Family Secrets and Lies. Debbie then reveals her true colors, calling Mia a "cancer in our family" and offering her a shocking deal: money to leave Finn and abandon Sonny, revealing her Manipulation and Control. Debbie's audacious plan hangs in the air, preying on Mia's vulnerability and dissatisfaction.
Chapter 38: Thirty-eight Years Earlier
A flashback plunges us into the mind of a young boy, heavily implied to be Dave, living with his grandparents after escaping his abusive parents. Despite the semblance of normalcy, violent thoughts plague him, a stark exploration of Nature vs. Nurture. He recounts betraying his brother, George Lewis, by revealing his secret friend, Martin Hamilton, to their mother.
The chapter details the horrific events leading to Martin's disappearance and George's demise. The narrator and George discover a videotape depicting Martin's hanging in the attic. When their mother catches them, George attacks her, leading to his own abduction and presumed death. The narrator is paralyzed by fear and hides instead of saving his brother. The chapter concludes with the narrator's crushing guilt, emphasizing The Past Haunting the Present.
Chapter 39: The Sunday News
This chapter delivers a brutal blow in the form of a sensationalist newspaper article: ‘BABES IN ATTIC’ HUSBAND IS A SECRET LOVE CHEAT. The article exposes Finn's affair with his ex-girlfriend, Emma Jones, and their four-year-old daughter. Finn's one-word reaction, "Fuck," encapsulates the devastation wrought by the public exposure of his secret life.
Chapter 40: A Stranger
Mia reels from the newspaper article, confronting the reality of Finn's betrayal. She recalls his confession, revealing the affair spanned their entire six-year relationship, including the period of painful fertility treatments. The confrontation is cold and hollow as Mia questions Finn, his parents, and the lies that define their family. She throws Debbie's manipulative offer back in her face, witnessing Debbie's shock and hurt at her "precious son's" deception. As Finn leaves, he fears Mia's departure, a fear that seems entirely justified.
Character Development
- Mia: She transforms from a woman questioning her sanity into a victim of profound betrayal. The confirmation of Finn's lies gives her a grim clarity, replacing her anxiety with righteous anger and resolve.
- Finn: His facade as a supportive husband crumbles, revealing a deceitful adulterer. His earlier anger at Mia can be reinterpreted as guilt-fueled deflection.
- Debbie: Her true nature as a ruthless, controlling matriarch is laid bare. Her attempt to buy Mia out of the family shows the monstrous lengths she will go to for control.
- Dave: The flashback chapter completely recontextualizes his character. He is not a simple man but a deeply traumatized survivor, haunted by guilt over his brother's fate. His secrecy is rooted in profound fear.
Themes & Symbols
- Family Secrets and Lies: This theme reaches its peak as Dave's hidden past, Debbie's schemes, and Finn's secret family erupt, revealing the Hunter family's foundation of deception.
- Manipulation and Control: Debbie's offer to Mia is the most overt act of manipulation, using Mia's vulnerability to seize control over her son and grandson.
- The Past Haunting the Present: Dave's flashback shows how the horrific events in the house have shaped his life. Similarly, Finn's past affair destroys his present.
- The Videotape: The videotape in Dave's memory symbolizes the inescapable and horrifying truth of his parents' evil, leading to his brother's demise.
Key Quotes
"I will save them from the attic."
This message, carved into the nursery skirting board, becomes a central mystery, hinting at the dark history hidden within the house. Mia's obsession with deciphering its meaning drives the plot forward, ultimately unraveling the Hunter family's secrets.
"Cancer in our family."
Debbie's cruel accusation reveals her true feelings towards Mia, whom she sees as a threat to her carefully constructed family dynamic. This statement underscores Debbie's manipulative nature and her willingness to do anything to maintain control.
Why This Matters and Section Significance
This section of the novel is the story's primary turning point, where all the simmering tensions and hidden secrets violently boil over. The narrative threads—Mia's investigation into the house's history and the breakdown of her marriage—converge in a catastrophic fashion. The revelation of Dave's past provides the missing piece of the puzzle, confirming Mia's suspicions and explaining the source of the home's darkness. This is immediately followed by the bombshell of Finn's affair, which completely shatters the domestic drama. The fragile alliances are broken, every character's motivations are questioned, and the foundation of the Hunter family is exposed as rotten to the core. These chapters dismantle the status quo and set the stage for the novel's final, desperate confrontations.