secrecy-and-control

This chapter depicts a tender moment between Ari and her mother, highlighting Ari's emotional sensitivity after attending a high-pressure social event at Valery's New Year party. The narrative reveals the intense social expectations placed on Ari by the Family and the psychological strain it causes both her and the adults around her. The chapter also hints at underlying tensions and secrecy within the Family, emphasizing the complexity and nefarious nature of their social environment.