Saul is as different from Simon Wakefield as it's possible to get, I find myself thinking. And Edward Monkford is utterly different from both of them. It seems incredible that Emma could have had relationships with all three men. Where Simon's eager to please, but also touchy and insecure, and Edward's calm and super-confident, Saul is pushy and brash and loud. He also has a habit of saying 'Yeah?' aggressively at the end of his sentences, as if trying to force me to agree with him.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Characterization Complex Edward Monkford Emma Matthews J P Delaney Personality Relationships The Girl Before

That was Emma—she'd have enjoyed knowing she had something like that, something that could blow her whole fucking life and mine apart if it came out. Her little bit of power.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Characterization Emma Matthews J P Delaney Leverage Power Power Trip Sociopath The Girl Before

The same goes for Edward Monkford. Yes, based on what you've told me, it seems Emma was the real narcissist, not him. But there's no doubting he's an extreme controller. What happens when a controller comes up against someone who's out of control? The combination could be explosive.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Control Controller Controlling Edward Monkford Emma Matthews J P Delaney Narcissist Out Of Control Psychology The Girl Before Toxic Relationship

But don't you see, I say, I don't care. I don't care what you've done or how bad you are. Edward, we belong together. We both know it. Now I know your worst secrets and you know mine. Isn't that what you've always wanted? For us to be completely honest with each other?

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Acceptance Declaration Of Love Edward Monkford Emma Matthews Honesty J P Delaney Relationship Secrets The Girl Before Unconditional Love We Belong Together

Sometimes it's as if I can shrink away to nothing. Sometimes I feel as pure and perfect as a ghost. The hunger, the headaches, the dizziness—these are the only things that are real.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Anorexia Description Emma Matthews Ghost Hungry J P Delaney Mental Illness The Girl Before

I know it must look odd, given that I didn't even know Emma. But it seems to me that almost no one really knew her. Everyone I speak to has a different version of what she was like.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Conflicting Accounts Different Perspectives Emma Matthews J P Delaney Personality The Girl Before

I will take what I can from Edward. And then I will let them fade into history, all the characters in this drama. Emma Matthews and the men who loved her, who became obsessed with her. They're not important to us now.

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Characters Drama Edward Monkford Emma Matthews Ending J P Delaney Jane Cavendish Moving On Obsession The Girl Before

All these men who loved Emma, I think. For all her problems, men were fixated on her. Will anyone ever feel like that about me?

~ J.p. Delaney

J.p. Delaney Emma Matthews J P Delaney Obsession Romance The Girl Before