50 pages 1 hour read

Keep Your Friends Close

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Chapters 38-45Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, graphic violence, substance use, addiction, mental illness, illness, emotional abuse, child abuse, and sexual content.

Chapter 38 Summary: “Now: Whitney”

Whitney calls Lily’s cancer clinic, pretending to be Jade, and learns that there is no record for Lily Porter. After tracking Colin’s phone to a park with Jade and Lily, she orders him home. In her office, she confronts him with proof of the affair from the mirrored app on his phone.


Colin first denies it and then accuses Whitney of spying and of loving Kiersten more than him. He reveals that Kiersten secretly created Whitney’s dating profile and pre-screened him. Their fight escalates as they revisit their open marriage arrangement. Resentful, Colin agrees to leave the house on his own terms.

Chapter 39 Summary: “Now: Brooke”

Brooke paces outside Whitney’s gated property, leaving furious voicemails for Abby, who is violating court orders by not letting Brooke visit Julian. Desperate, Brooke calls her lawyer, Gill, who tells her that the courts will not act until Monday and warns her not to call the police. Brooke hangs up, staring at the gate. The thought lands that if Abby can take Julian, she can take him back. She decides to get her son herself.

Chapter 40 Summary: “Now: Jade”

Whitney arrives at Jade’s house and confronts her about the affair and the fake cancer diagnosis. Jade admits everything. She says that the affair stemmed from feeling like a second choice and explains that the cancer scheme was Colin’s idea to raise money after they both went broke, allowing them to funnel over $300,000 from Whitney’s business.

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