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Chapter 33
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in It Ends with Us, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Cycles of Abuse
Naked Truths
Good and Evil
Chosen Family
Summary
Analysis
Another two weeks pass, and Lily is happy with the progress she’s made on the nursery, which she has decorated with plants. She asks Allysa and her mother to come see. When neither of them is available, she decides to text Ryle to see if he’d like to look. He responds immediately that he’s heading down. Lily tells him about the mural she painted as they head to the room, and she can tell that he’s nervous about her doing everyone alone. Lily reminds herself that she’s more than capable. Ryle sees the nursery and is amazed. He tells Lily that he can see she’s been thriving, though his voice sounds sad.
Lily’s relationship with plants has shifted throughout the novel, mirroring how her priorities have also shifted. As a child, her garden was a function of her will to survive. As a woman newly in love, her floral business and her plans to plant garden in her and Ryle’s apartment mirrored her hope for a successful, happy future. Now, the plants decorating her baby’s nursery show how she’s directing her energy toward making sure her child flourishes. Part of Lily sees that having a father in their life will help her baby thrive, which is why she reaches out to include Ryle in this moment.
Themes
Lily asks Ryle if he’s open to exchanging naked truths. Ryle is relieved and asks if they can finally discuss what will happen between them. Lily tells Ryle to speak first. Ryle explains that he isn’t sure what she is comfortable with. While he wants to give her all the space she needs, he also wants the chance to be a good father and husband. Lily tells him that she wants him to be in the baby’s life, too, but she isn’t sure she can trust his temper. Ryle immediately responds that the baby would be safe with him, but Lily counters that he didn’t think he would ever hurt her, either. She tells him she won’t prevent him from having a relationship with the baby, but he needs to work to rebuild her trust.
Before allowing Ryle to participate in their child’s life, Lily needs to know where Ryle is at emotionally. They share their truths just as they have always done. Lily doesn’t accept Ryle’s assurances that he is a safe person; she already has plenty of evidence to the contrary. However, she wants to believe him for her baby’s sake, which makes her willing to provide him opportunities to prove his trustworthiness.
Themes
Ryle agrees that he will honor her boundaries and proceed in the way she sees best. Lily can tell there is something else on his mind, so she encourages him to be honest. Ryle asks what will happen between the two of them. Lily responds honestly that she isn’t sure. She tells Ryle that she doesn’t want to lead him on, but she feels she should wait until after giving birth in order to make the most objective choice. He thanks her for being willing to talk to him and have him over. They embrace for a long time. Lily asks Ryle to promise that he won’t try to convince her to take him back or make any moves until after the baby arrives. He promises.
While both Lily and Ryle are still experiencing fear, doubt, and pain over their circumstances, they make an agreement to allow space—within well-defined boundaries—to let that pain heal. Lily is certain about her to decision to try to keep Ryle in the baby’s life, but she is not certain at all about keeping him in her own life. Lily has seen how distance has allowed her to understand herself better, so she decides to give herself more time to decide.
Themes
