True beauty is always confused for goodness in a man and deceptiveness in a woman.
-- Narrator (Lyla)

Importance: Lyla believes that external appearances are an important facet in judging an individual's character. However, she is frustrated that Graham's good looks are interpreted as a signifier of his superiority while her good looks are used as a reason for other characters to doubt her motives. She makes a universal rule to justify, to herself, why she was unaware of Graham's perversions before their marriage. If all handsome men are mistaken for good people then Lyla does not need to explain her marriage to Graham; she can convince herself that she was confused by his beauty, as anyone would have been, and it is not her fault that she is loyal to a murderous sadist.

She is rattling the gate like he knows what's coming. I am what's coming.
-- Narrator (Lyla)

Importance: When Demi moves into the guesthouse...