Twisted Hate

Josh is desperate to apologize to Jules for crossing boundaries, but he personally wants more. During the wedding reception, Jules avoids Josh’s advances, and he’s overcome with jealousy when she flirts with Asher Donovan, a professional soccer player. Josh pulls Jules aside to apologize for trying to influence her and Ava’s friendship, and admits he’s “tired of pretending [their] arrangement hadn’t evolved into something that couldn’t be constrained by rules” (277). She panics and suggests they date other people. Josh disagrees, unable to bear the thought of sharing her with anyone else.

Four days after the wedding, Jules is in her office at LHAC worrying about how to respond to Josh’s confession. She’s worried he’ll leave her if he learns about her past. As she leaves the office, she receives a call from Whittlesburg Hospital to notify her of Adeline’s death.

Josh is packing for his New Zealand trip in four days when Jules arrives, seeking comfort after the news of her mother’s death. In her grief, Jules divulges parts of her past—how she hasn’t spoken to Adeline in seven years and though they have a complicated relationship, she is still saddened. Adeline used to be a model and became jealous of her own daughter when she grew older and started getting attention because of her appearance. Adeline would spend money on beauty products and services instead of paying for groceries, leaving Jules to starve. When Adeline married Alastair, she and Jules inherited his wealth, but he made sexual advances toward Jules. When Adeline found out, she kicked Jules out, thinking she “seduced” Alastair. Alastair died in a house fire during Jules’s junior year of college, and though Jules attempted to reach out to her mother after his death, Adeline never responded. Josh encourages Jules to shower while he researches hotels and funeral arrangements for her. Later, Jules falls asleep in Josh’s embrace.

Two days after graduating from Thayer Law, Jules returns to Whittlesburg, Ohio, for her mother’s funeral. Josh surprises Jules at her hotel, having skipped his flight to New Zealand to be with her as emotional support.

Jules and Josh explore Whittlesburg. She shows him her favorite place—an old bookstore called Crabtree Books. Josh enjoys learning more about Jules, such as her favorite book, Charlotte’s Web. When they grab dinner at a local diner, an old school friend, Rita, recognizes Jules and Josh learns Jules’s surname used to be Miller. Rita’s penchant for gossip reveals that before Alastair’s death, he was caught having sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl. The scandal ruined his business and drained Alastair’s wealth. While the news is disturbing, Jules feels vindicated that Alastair faced some form of repercussion for his predation. She admits to Josh that she’d been scared to return to Whittlesburg, but it’s been easy to face. Josh relates to the feeling and tells Jules about Michael’s letters, which he’s afraid to open. Jules encourages him to face his fear.

Jules and Josh are the only attendees of Adeline’s funeral. They stop by Jules’s childhood home before heading to the airport, where she gets the closure she needs. Inspired by her courage, Josh decides to visit Michael in jail. At the airport, Jules brings up their conversation at Bridget’s wedding, and agrees to pursue a relationship with Josh; they agree to go on a real date.

Josh takes Jules on their first real date—a scavenger hunt in a hidden local bookstore. They have dinner afterward, but must escape through the kitchen to avoid Alex and Ava, who coincidentally have reservations at the same restaurant. They dissolve into laughter after escaping, and when they kiss, Jules finally admits the depth of her feelings for him.

Josh has taken Jules’s advice to forgive Alex, and attends a baseball game with him. He texts Jules, and Alex asks who he’s messaging. Though Josh doesn’t reveal Jules, he does reveal he’s in a committed relationship, which shocks Alex. He tells Alex about Michael’s letters and his decision to visit his father in prison. Alex despises Michael for his attempts on Ava’s life, but understands Josh’s complicated relationship with him, and encourages him to get the closure he needs. After the game, Josh gathers the courage to open Michael’s letters.

However, Josh’s visit to the prison is disappointing: While Michael appears interested in Josh’s life, he ultimately asks him to sneak in prescription pills for his fellow inmates, which infuriates him. This moment gives Josh the closure he needs to never visit again.

Jules is studying for the bar exam when Josh arrives to tell her about his prison visit. She offers cathartic sex, and they cuddle afterward. When Josh leaves the room to shower, Max calls. Max instructs Jules to steal an expensive painting for his clients in Columbus. He sends an image of the “hideous” painting, and it is one hanging in Josh’s bedroom.