It was the blowup we all saw coming, yet it still felt like a gut punch. If you’ve spent any time in the The Summer I Turned Pretty fandom, you know that the tension between the Fisher brothers isn’t just about who gets the girl—it’s about years of built-up resentment, unspoken promises, and a very messy spring break in Cabo. The moment Conrad finds out Jeremiah cheated isn't just a plot point; it’s the definitive fracture in their relationship that changes everything for Belly, too.
Jenny Han knows how to twist the knife.
When you look at the source material, specifically the third book We’ll Always Have Summer, the "cheating" isn't exactly a secret to the reader, but the way Conrad discovers it is visceral. It happens during the lead-up to a wedding that probably shouldn't be happening in the first place. You’ve got Jeremiah, who is trying so hard to be the "reliable" one for once, and Conrad, who is naturally observant and—let’s be honest—completely miserable watching his brother marry the love of his life.
The Cabo Incident: What Actually Happened?
Let's clear the air. People argue about whether it was "technically" cheating because Jeremiah and Belly were on a break. They had a massive fight. They split up for a week. Jeremiah went to Cabo San Lucas for spring break and hooked up with a girl named Lacie Barone.
Was it a break? Yes.
Was it betrayal? Also yes.
The problem wasn't just the hookup. It was the fact that Jeremiah proposed to Belly immediately after they got back together as a way to cover up his guilt and "seal" the relationship. He didn't tell her. He let her plan a whole wedding while he carried that secret around like a lead weight.
The Moment of Truth: How Conrad Finds Out
Conrad doesn't find out because Jeremiah confesses. That would be too easy.
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Instead, it happens at the worst possible time: during the wedding festivities at the beach house. Conrad overhears a conversation. In the book, he learns the truth while Jeremiah and Belly are already deep into wedding preparations. He overhears Lacie Barone’s friends talking, or the connection is made through the social grapevine of the college scene.
It's a mess.
Conrad is already struggling with his feelings for Belly, and hearing that his brother—the one who was supposed to be the "better" choice for her—had been unfaithful during their brief split makes him see red. For Conrad, it’s the ultimate validation of his fears: that Jeremiah isn't as steady as he pretends to be.
Why This Reveal Hits Different
The reaction is explosive. Conrad isn't the type to just let things slide. He confronts Jeremiah, and the confrontation is one of the most intense scenes in the entire series. It’s not just about the cheating. It’s about the fact that Jeremiah is letting Belly walk into a marriage based on a lie.
"You don't deserve her."
That’s basically the subtext of every word Conrad says. He sees Jeremiah’s proposal as a manipulative move to "claim" Belly before she could find out the truth. And honestly? He’s kinda right. Jeremiah was scared. He knew if Belly found out he’d slept with someone else—even on a break—she’d be devastated. So he put a ring on it to distract her.
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The Fan Debate: Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad
Even years after the book was released, and now with the Amazon Prime series bringing it to a new generation, the debate is still raging.
- The Jeremiah Defenders: They argue it was a "break." They say Jeremiah was hurting and that Conrad shouldn't have interfered with the wedding.
- The Conrad Loyalists: They point out that Jeremiah lied by omission. If he really loved her, he would have been honest before asking her to spend the rest of her life with him.
The show might handle this differently. We’ve already seen the TV version of Jeremiah be a bit more nuanced than his book counterpart. But the core conflict remains: Conrad finds out Jeremiah cheated, and he cannot keep that information to himself if it means protecting Belly.
The Ripple Effect on Belly
Belly’s reaction to the news is what really matters. When she finally learns the truth—partly through Conrad’s involvement—the fantasy of her "perfect" relationship with Jeremiah starts to crumble. It forces her to realize that she was using the wedding as a way to prove she was over Conrad, rather than because she was actually ready to marry Jeremiah.
The betrayal isn't just about the physical act in Cabo. It's about the lack of transparency. Belly realizes that Conrad, for all his flaws and his moodiness, would never have lied to her about something that fundamental.
What This Means for Season 3
If the show stays true to the books, Season 3 is going to be incredibly heavy. We’re going to see the Cabo flashback. We’re going to see the frantic wedding planning. And eventually, we’re going to see that scene where the secret comes out.
Expect a lot of tension at the beach house. Expect Conrad to be lurking in the background, knowing the truth and waiting for the right moment to speak up. It’s the climax of the entire triangle.
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How to Navigate the Fallout
If you're watching or reading this for the first time, keep these things in mind to better understand the character motivations:
Watch the Body Language
In the show, pay attention to how Jeremiah acts when Cabo is mentioned or when his college friends are around. The guilt is usually visible long before the words are spoken.
Consider the Timeline
The "break" lasted only a few days. The speed with which Jeremiah moved on is what hurts Belly the most, and it's what Conrad uses as his primary argument for why the relationship is a sham.
Look at the Motivation
Ask yourself: Did Jeremiah propose because he loved her, or because he was afraid of losing her once the truth came out? Your answer to that usually determines which "Team" you're on.
Understand Conrad’s Silence
Conrad often stays silent to protect Belly, but this is the one time he feels he has to speak. Understanding that shift in his character is key to enjoying the finale.
The series has always been about growing up and realizing that the people we love are deeply flawed. When Conrad finds out Jeremiah cheated, it’s the moment the childhood innocence of Cousins Beach finally dies, making way for a much more complicated, adult reality.
Next time you’re re-watching the series, look for the small cracks in Jeremiah’s "perfect guy" facade. They’re there from the start, long before the Cabo trip ever happens. Whether you think Conrad was a hero for telling or a meddler for interfering, there's no denying it's the most pivotal moment in the trilogy.
Don't just take the "break" at face value—look at the emotional honesty (or lack thereof) that follows it. That’s where the real story lives.