Heartless

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of miscarriage, physical abuse, and sexual content.

On the day of Luke’s birthday party, Cade feels nervous. Summer remarks on his anxious demeanor and notes the way he is looking at Willa. When she asserts that he loves Willa, Cade doesn’t deny it. She encourages him to tell Willa how he feels, but he is worried about “scar[ing] her away” (310).

Talia arrives late to the party. Cade is immediately on edge and feels frustrated by how she engages with him and Luke. Then, Cade overhears Luke telling Talia that his nanny is from Calgary, where she lives. Willa looks on anxiously.

Willa can’t stand watching Talia interact with Cade and Luke. She grows even edgier when Talia introduces herself and starts a conversation. Willa tells herself not to be annoyed, but she struggles to hide her frustration. When Talia reveals that she lied to Cade about being on birth control so that she could get pregnant, Willa loses her temper. Talia goes on to say that even giving Cade a child couldn’t make him any less boring.

Willa dismisses herself and goes inside for a drink, and Cade finds her in the kitchen.