Where's Molly

The final chapter section resolves the main conflict of the novel, which is Molly’s struggle with Transformation Through and in Spite of Trauma, as she reconnects with Layla, moves past her fears of intimacy with Cage, and sees Kenny Mathers dead. Molly’s struggle with her own trauma is encapsulated in her perceived fears regarding Layla, in which Molly thinks: “Would she feel like her blood is tainted by evil? They’re thoughts I’ve come to terms with myself” (197). Though Molly claims to have “come to terms” with these thoughts and fears—that she might be destined for misery because of her traumatic past—the text makes it clear that Molly has not resolved these issues for herself. She tells Cage that she might not be allowed to, or deserve to, be happy, and Cage needs to force himself into Molly’s life, much as he needs to push Molly toward Layla in the end. When Molly finally confronts Layla and her family, Cage grabs Molly’s bicep, “preventing [her] from running away” (199). However, through Cage’s support and her own willpower, Molly gets the happy ending she desired, paired with Cage and the opportunity to meet Layla. Though the development of Molly and Layla’s relationship remains unseen, much like Molly’s time at Francesca’s home, the text implies that the remainder of Molly’s life with Layla will be peaceful and free from the violence and depravity that characterized their early life.

In addition to meeting Layla, Cage provides another crucial element of support in completing Molly’s journey: killing Kenny Mathers. Molly is shocked “that not only did Legion keep my abuser locked away all this time, waiting for me to be ready, but that Cage killed him for me” (206), showing that Molly has the support of both Legion and Cage in overcoming her past. Specifically, Molly acknowledges that she needed to “be ready,” implying that she needed to reach a specific point in her journey at which time Kenny Mathers’ death would be most meaningful. Cage is an important element in that preparation, and Mathers’s death prompts Molly to say, “I think I love you even more now” (206), cementing the connection between her romance with Cage and her own path to recovery. Cage’s standing offer to kill anyone Molly asks him to emphasizes Cage’s dedication to Molly’s recovery more than to present any need for further violence. As a final addition to The Coexistence of Beauty and Horror, Cage’s violence actually ends the violence of Molly’s trauma, allowing them both to leave their past struggles behind them.

The conclusion to the novel’s discussion of The Narrow Line Between Obsession and Love presents conflicting information about Cage and Molly’s relationship. In Chapter 17, Cage promises Molly, “I’ll always respect your boundaries” (178). However, in Chapter 19, Cage says, “[s]he can’t escape the pleasure any more than she can escape me” (191), ignoring Molly’s demands that he leave her alone. Cage’s actions are a direct breach of the consent he has built with Molly throughout the novel, including his promise to respect her boundaries. At this point, obsession is crossing the boundary of love, and Cage is violating the trust he and Molly share. Nonetheless, Cage frames his actions as fulfilling that trust by preventing Molly from running away. Carlton affirms this message through Molly’s happy ending and the resolution to her trauma, blurring the line between obsession and love in the text. Ultimately, Molly tells Cage: “B-because! I said so! I’m better off alone!” (192). Carlton uses Molly’s stutter to suggest her doubt. Essentially, even though Molly is not giving Cage consent to come into her home or have sex with her, her withholding of that consent is founded in her trauma and self-doubt, which Cage seeks to overwhelm with his love for her. The actions of this chapter are dubious in terms of sexual and romantic ethics, but Carlton suggests that Molly needs love and support, even if it disrespects her stated boundaries.