CHAPTER SUMMARY
Yours Trulyby Abby Jimenez

Chapter 16-20 Summary

Chapters 16-20 Summary

These chapters mark a significant turning point as Briana discovers Jacob's selfless act, leading to an unexpected proposition and the start of a fake relationship that blurs the lines between pretense and reality. The revelation of Jacob's sacrifice transforms Briana's perception of him, setting the stage for a deeper connection.

Chapter 16: The Revelation

Dr. Briana Ortiz is ecstatic to learn that her brother, Benny Ortiz, has found a perfect-match kidney donor, restoring his joyful spirit. Her happiness overshadows even the finalization of her divorce. She seeks time off from Dr. Gibson for Benny's transplant surgery in July.

During their conversation, Dr. Gibson reveals that Dr. Jacob Maddox is Benny's anonymous donor, motivated by his own mother's kidney transplant. Briana is stunned, realizing Jacob underwent extensive evaluations while she treated him with hostility. Overwhelmed with guilt and gratitude, she searches for Jacob, her perception completely reversed. Finding him in a hallway, she pulls him into a supply closet and tearfully confirms his selfless act, throwing herself into his arms. This moment highlights the theme of Healing and Second Chances.

Chapter 17: The Proposition

From Jacob’s perspective, Briana’s hug is overwhelming, filling a void of genuine physical affection. Her gratitude feels good, captivating him. As they talk, a text from his mother stresses him. Briana, feeling indebted, insists on helping. Jacob reveals his ex-girlfriend, Amy, is engaged to his brother, Jeremiah. To protect Amy's happiness and prevent family conflict, he needs a fake girlfriend to accompany him to family events.

Briana immediately agrees, recounting her own terrible experience attending a wedding alone. She declares, "I am going to be the best girlfriend you’ve never had." Their first event is that very night—a family dinner. This sets the stage for the novel's central fake-dating plot, driven by Jacob's self-sacrificing nature and Briana's overwhelming gratitude. This development underscores the theme of Communication and Misunderstanding.

Chapter 18: The First Date

Briana prepares for her "date" with Jacob, fully committed to the role. They establish their cover story, sticking close to the truth about how they met. En route to his parents' house, Jacob makes a bizarre stop to pick up a dead raccoon for his taxidermist father. Briana recognizes Jacob’s nervousness as anxiety, deepening her empathy, and she resolves to be his "emotional support person."

Arriving at the Maddox home, they are plunged into a chaotic family gathering. Briana handles the introductions with ease but senses Jacob’s tension. The situation escalates when Briana discovers Jacob’s mother, Joy, is Dr. J. Maddox, a world-renowned sex therapist and author whose book Briana has read. Panicked, they retreat to Jacob’s old bedroom—now a taxidermy showroom—realizing the stakes are higher than anticipated. They agree to be more convincing, requiring more time together and physical touch, setting ground rules ("No kissing") before rejoining the family, Jacob holding her hand.

Chapter 19: The Family Dinner

Jacob’s anxiety is palpable throughout dinner, feeling guilty for lying to his family and involving Briana. He is relieved and impressed by her seamless integration, charming his relatives and helping in the kitchen. They recount their embellished "how we met" story, and Jacob admits he thought Briana was "the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen."

The conversation shifts to Jacob's childhood, with his sisters sharing embarrassing stories, including his "nervous stomach" causing him to poop his pants at school. As Jacob is humiliated, Briana defends him, inventing a "study" linking high intelligence to potty-training difficulties. She squeezes his hand under the table in support, creating a spark between them. Later, Jacob awkwardly uses their catchphrase, "Not on my watch!," to save Briana from cantaloupe, excusing their departure. The evening is a success, but Jacob wonders if Briana regrets the arrangement.

Chapter 20: The Aftermath

Back at Briana’s house, she reassures Jacob that she enjoyed the evening and their performance was convincing. They banter about his childhood photos and potty-training story, easing the tension. Briana finds herself genuinely attracted to him and his kindness, wishing it were a real date. Before he leaves, she asks if he really sat in a restaurant for three hours just to talk to her on the phone. He confirms, creating emotional intimacy that gives Briana a "twisty thing" in her stomach.

The next day, they announce their "relationship" at work. Briana tells her best friend Alexis, who is amused by the rom-com scenario. The fake relationship begins to bleed into their real interactions. After a phone call about dinner plans, Jacob surprises Briana at work with Taco Bell—a callback to their conversation—and a sweet note. Across the ER, she blows him a kiss, and he playfully pretends to catch it. Their public performance feels surprisingly natural and fun, blurring the lines between what is fake and what is real.

Key Events

  • The Revelation: Dr. Gibson accidentally reveals Jacob is Benny’s kidney donor.
  • The Confrontation: Briana finds Jacob, and he confirms he is the donor in an emotional exchange.
  • The Proposition: Jacob asks Briana to be his fake girlfriend to navigate his brother's wedding to his ex.
  • The First "Date": Briana and Jacob attend a chaotic Maddox family dinner, where Briana discovers Jacob's mother is a famous sex therapist.
  • The Pact: Briana and Jacob agree to make their fake relationship more convincing.
  • Going Public: They announce their "relationship" at work, blurring the lines between pretense and reality.

Character Development

  • Dr. Briana Ortiz: Briana's perception of Jacob transforms from suspicion to gratitude and admiration. She recognizes his anxiety and becomes supportive, developing romantic interest.
  • Dr. Jacob Maddox: Jacob is revealed as selfless and principled, willing to sacrifice for others. His social anxiety is highlighted, as is his capacity for love and his growing attraction to Briana.

Themes & Symbols

Themes

  • Healing and Second Chances: Benny receives a second chance at life, and Briana gains a second chance to see Jacob's true character, allowing their relationship to heal.
  • Mental Health and Anxiety: Jacob’s social anxiety drives his actions, and Briana’s understanding of it strengthens their connection.
  • Family, Illness, and Sacrifice: Jacob’s kidney donation is a significant sacrifice. The Maddox family contrasts with Briana’s fractured family, becoming the setting for the fake-dating plot.
  • Communication and Misunderstanding: The novel shifts from conflict due to misunderstanding to a shared deception, forcing deeper communication.

Symbols

  • The Supply Closet: Represents honesty and vulnerability between Briana and Jacob.
  • The Letters: Symbolize a deeper, more thoughtful connection beneath surface interactions.
  • The Dead Raccoon: Represents Jacob's awkwardness and his willingness to do unconventional things for loved ones.

Key Quotes

"I am going to be the best girlfriend you’ve never had."

Briana's declaration encapsulates her commitment to the fake relationship, driven by gratitude and a desire to support Jacob. It sets the stage for their charade and hints at the potential for genuine feelings to develop.

"Not on my watch!"

This pre-arranged catchphrase, used awkwardly by Jacob, highlights the artificiality of their initial interactions. However, it also serves as a reminder of their pact and the shared goal of maintaining their deception, creating a bond between them.

Significance

These chapters mark the novel's turning point, resolving the initial conflict and introducing the fake relationship plot. Jacob's kidney donation solidifies his heroic character, driving Briana's change of heart. This section establishes the stakes, rules, and emotional dynamics that will shape the rest of the story.