The facade of a perfect marriage shatters as infidelity and murder collide, thrusting Adam Morgan into the center of a crime he desperately denies committing. Meanwhile, Sarah Morgan, riding high from a major legal victory, is blindsided by the shocking truth about her husband's betrayal and a gruesome murder that threatens to unravel everything she thought she knew.
Chapter 6: Adam Morgan
Adam wakes up optimistic, believing his marriage to Sarah is on the verge of a new chapter, complete with a baby and her stepping back from her career. This hopeful vision is immediately tainted by the memory of his mistress, Kelly Summers, and a note he left for her at their lake house, filling him with regret for not ending the affair sooner. His reflections are cut short by the insistent ringing of his doorbell.
Sheriff Ryan Stevens and Deputy Marcus Hudson stand at his door, informing Adam they need to ask him questions about the previous evening. Adam, assuming something has happened to Sarah, becomes defensive and uncooperative. When he tries to call his wife and shut the door, the officers force their way in, leading to a physical altercation. Deputy Hudson subdues Adam, handcuffing him and reading him his rights. At the station, after demanding a lawyer, Adam learns the shocking truth from an enraged Deputy Hudson: Kelly Summers has been found stabbed to death in Adam's bed at the lake house. Adam collapses in shock, immediately deflecting blame onto Kelly's abusive husband and demanding they check her phone for threatening messages. Sheriff Stevens dismisses his pleas but allows him to make a phone call.
Chapter 7: Sarah Morgan
This chapter shifts to Sarah, who is delivering a masterful closing argument in a high-profile case. She defends Senator McCallan against false rape accusations, arguing they were fabricated by a "big oil" company to derail his work on renewable energy. Sarah is portrayed as confident, sharp, and commanding in the courtroom, skillfully dismantling the prosecution's case and painting the accuser as a pawn in a larger corporate conspiracy. The chapter establishes her professional prowess and dedication to her career, contrasting sharply with the chaos unfolding in her personal life.
Chapter 8: Adam Morgan
Back at the sheriff's station, Adam tries calling Sarah's cell phone twice, but she doesn't answer, as she is still in court and then celebrating her victory. He considers leaving a voicemail but realizes he cannot possibly explain that he cheated on her and is now a suspect in his mistress's murder in a message. Feeling desperate and pressured by the officers, he gives up on reaching Sarah and instead calls his mother, Eleanor, telling her he is in trouble and needs help.
Chapter 9: Sarah Morgan
Sarah is celebrating her legal victory at a restaurant with her law partner, Matthew, and her paralegal, Anne. They toast to her success, and Matthew playfully teases her about giving up the "thrill of law" to have a baby. The celebratory mood is broken when Sarah receives a call from her mother-in-law, Eleanor, who is furious that Sarah hasn't been answering Adam's calls. Eleanor informs her that Adam is at the Prince William County Sheriff's Station and needs her immediately.
Panicked, Sarah and Matthew rush to the station. There, Sarah meets with Sheriff Stevens, who questions her about her and Adam's relationship, their whereabouts the previous night, and whether they have marital problems. Sarah maintains a composed, professional demeanor, admitting Adam came home late and that they are trying for a baby, an attempt to project the image of a stable marriage. When the sheriff asks if she knows Kelly Summers, Sarah says no. Growing impatient, she demands to see her husband. In response, Sheriff Stevens slams a folder on the desk, revealing gruesome crime scene photos of a woman's mutilated body in the bed of their lake house. The shock causes Sarah to vomit and break down. Just then, Deputy Hudson enters to report that the suspect is demanding his lawyer. Pulling herself together and instantly shifting from a horrified wife to a determined attorney, Sarah declares, "I'm his lawyer."
Chapter 10: Adam Morgan
Adam sits in the interrogation room, reeling from the images of the crime scene photos he has been shown. He knows the evidence against him—Kelly's body in his bed, his fingerprints on everything, the note he left—is damning. He clings to the belief that Kelly's abusive husband must be the real killer, recalling the menacing text messages he had seen. His thoughts spiral as he worries about Sarah and the possibility that she might be pregnant with his child, a child who could grow up without a father. Overwhelmed by fear and desperation, and frustrated by the officers' refusal to listen, he demands his lawyer again, finally snapping and throwing a chair at the one-way mirror.
Character Development
- Adam Morgan: His initial optimism crumbles as he faces the consequences of his actions. He shifts blame, revealing a self-preservation instinct that overrides remorse.
- Sarah Morgan: The chapters highlight her duality. She transitions from a powerful lawyer to a devastated wife, then back to a determined attorney, showcasing her fortitude and professional instinct.
- Sheriff Ryan Stevens: He is portrayed as a methodical lawman who uses calculated tactics during interrogation.
- Deputy Marcus Hudson: He is aggressive and emotional, suggesting a personal connection to the victim that clouds his judgment.
Themes & Symbols
- The Façade of a Perfect Marriage: Adam's delusion of a perfect family life masks his affair, while Sarah's interrogation answers attempt to uphold this facade. The photos brutally expose the lie.
- Betrayal and Deception: Adam's affair sets the plot in motion, and his immediate accusations introduce layers of deception.
- Revenge and Justice: Deputy Hudson's hatred suggests a desire for revenge, while Adam seeks his own form of justice by blaming Kelly's husband.
Key Quotes
"I'm his lawyer."
Sarah's declaration marks a pivotal moment. She suppresses her personal devastation and immediately steps into her professional role, highlighting her ability to compartmentalize trauma and rely on her identity as a shield. This decision sets up the central conflict she will face throughout the novel.
Why This Matters and Section Significance
These chapters serve as the novel's inciting incident, disrupting the lives of the main characters and establishing the central conflict. The juxtaposition of Sarah's professional triumph with the collapse of her personal life creates dramatic irony. Sarah's decision to represent Adam locks her into a complex role where her duties as a lawyer conflict with her feelings as a betrayed wife.