The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 17
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Avery finding Rebecca in the hidden tunnels beneath the Hawthorne estate, a place Tobias Hawthorne had once shown her as a child. Rebecca stands stiffly before a concrete wall, her red hair wild and her emotions raw. When Avery approaches, Rebecca initially mistakes her for Xander and then tries to push her away, but Avery refuses to leave. The tension between them is palpable, with Rebecca using silence as both a weapon and a shield, a habit she developed after her sister Emily’s death. The scene sets the stage for a deeply emotional confrontation.
Rebecca reveals that she and others have told Eve the truth about Toby’s adoption, and Eve now wants to meet Rebecca’s mother, Mallory. This news unsettles Rebecca, as Mallory is Eve’s grandmother and has endured immense grief—losing Toby to adoption and later Emily to illness. Rebecca struggles with the idea of introducing Eve to her mother, fearing it will reopen old wounds. Her voice trembles with a mix of anger and sorrow as she confesses how much Eve resembles Emily, both in appearance and voice, which only deepens her pain.
The conversation shifts to Rebecca’s guilt and unresolved feelings about Emily. She recalls their last fight, which occurred just before Emily’s death, and how Emily would have made her work for forgiveness. Rebecca also mentions cutting her hair short, something Emily would have disapproved of, symbolizing her struggle to break free from her sister’s shadow. Avery tries to reassure Rebecca that she is her own person, but Rebecca’s self-doubt lingers. She questions whether she deserves to move on or if the universe is punishing her for wanting to.
In the final moments, Rebecca grapples with the impending task of telling her mother about Eve, fearing Mallory will see Eve as a replacement for Emily. Avery offers to accompany her, but Rebecca declines, asserting that she must face this alone. The chapter ends with Rebecca steeling herself, embodying a newfound resilience despite her pain. The emotional weight of the scene underscores the themes of grief, identity, and the complexities of family bonds, leaving readers with a poignant sense of Rebecca’s inner turmoil and strength.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter reveal Rebecca’s complex relationship with her late sister Emily, and what does this tell us about Rebecca’s character development?
Answer:
The chapter reveals Rebecca’s deeply complicated relationship with Emily through multiple layers. Rebecca mentions they fought before Emily’s death, and she carries guilt about being “right” in that argument (about Emily’s fatal plans). The text states Rebecca was “raised to make herself small” in Emily’s shadow, and even her hair choices were influenced by Emily’s preferences (“Emily liked our hair long”). This shows Rebecca’s struggle to establish her own identity after living in her sister’s shadow. Her character development is evident in her recent changes - different appearance, pursuing desires, reconnecting with Thea - but she still battles feelings of unworthiness and fears about moving forward.2. Analyze the significance of the tunnel setting in this chapter. How does the physical environment mirror the emotional states of the characters?
Answer:
The tunnel beneath the Hawthorne estate serves as a powerful metaphor for Rebecca’s emotional state. The description highlights its darkness (only lit by a phone light), dead-end structure (concrete wall), and hidden nature - all reflecting Rebecca’s feelings of being trapped in grief and past trauma. Like the tunnel with “fewer entrances than the secret passageways,” Rebecca has limited emotional exits from her pain. The isolated, underground location mirrors how she’s “isolated herself” in silence since Emily’s death. Avery’s journey through the tunnel to reach Rebecca symbolizes her attempt to penetrate Rebecca’s emotional barriers, while the dead-end wall represents the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of Rebecca’s grief and family trauma.3. What does Eve’s introduction into the family dynamic reveal about intergenerational trauma in the Laughlin/Hawthorne families?
Answer:
Eve’s arrival exposes deep intergenerational wounds. As the biological granddaughter of Mallory Laughlin (who gave up Toby for adoption) and biological niece of Emily, Eve’s resemblance to Emily creates painful echoes for Rebecca. The chapter reveals Mallory’s instability after losing both her first child (unknowingly to the Hawthornes) and then Emily, while Rebecca grew up in Emily’s shadow. Now Eve’s appearance forces Rebecca to confront whether she’ll “get to move on” from this cycle of loss. The text suggests this trauma persists through generations: “all her babies died” implies Mallory doesn’t fully acknowledge Rebecca’s survival, showing how family narratives of loss continue to shape current relationships and self-perceptions.4. How does Avery’s approach to supporting Rebecca demonstrate her understanding of trauma and grief?
Answer:
Avery demonstrates nuanced understanding of trauma through her patient, non-judgmental support. She gives Rebecca space (“I have all day”) while persistently staying present. Rather than offering platitudes, she asks thoughtful questions (“Can your mom handle that?”) and offers specific validation (“You’re your own person”). Avery recognizes when Rebecca needs practical help (offering to accompany her to tell Mallory) but respects Rebecca’s boundaries when refused. Most importantly, Avery validates Rebecca’s complex emotions without trying to “fix” them, understanding that seeing Eve would “dredge up the past” in ways that can’t be quickly resolved. This shows Avery grasps that trauma recovery isn’t linear and that support means bearing witness to pain, not just alleviating it.
Quotes
1. “The old man had seen a girl living in the shadows of her sick older sister. He’d told Rebecca that she deserved something of her own.”
This quote introduces the foundational dynamic between Rebecca and her late sister Emily, explaining why Tobias Hawthorne showed her the secret tunnels. It establishes Rebecca’s lifelong struggle with identity and belonging.
2. “She looks so much like her, Avery. She even sounds like Emily.”
Rebecca’s visceral reaction to meeting Eve highlights the central conflict of the chapter - how Eve’s resemblance to Emily forces Rebecca to confront unresolved grief and family trauma. This moment triggers her emotional breakdown.
3. “Emily liked our hair long. Our hair.”
This brief but powerful exchange reveals how deeply Rebecca’s identity was enmeshed with her sister’s preferences. The italicized “our hair” particularly demonstrates how Rebecca was never allowed full autonomy over her own life and appearance.
4. “What if this whole thing is just the universe telling me that I don’t get to move on? Ever. Maybe I’m a horrible person for wanting to.”
This quote captures Rebecca’s core existential crisis - her struggle between honoring her sister’s memory and claiming her own life. The raw vulnerability shows her internalized guilt about survival and happiness.
5. “But I don’t get to want you with me for this.”
Rebecca’s final statement demonstrates both her growth (acknowledging her wants) and lingering self-sacrifice (denying herself support). It encapsulates her painful journey toward independence while still being bound by family trauma.