We Were Liars Ending Explained: What Really Happened to Cadence?

Wondering what truly happened to Cadence in We Were Liars? Here’s the full breakdown of the We Were Liars ending and all the shocking twists.

Throughout the series, we see Cadence (played by Emily Alyn Lind) struggling to remember the truth about the summer that changed everything. After a serious head injury, she returns to Beechwood Island, her family’s private retreat, to recover and uncover her past.

She knows she ended up alone on the beach, her friends gone. For a whole year, she didn’t hear from them. As she revisits the island, she hopes being back will help her remember what really happened.

The Fire That Changed Everything

Cadence starts to recall the night of the fire. Along with her friends, Johnny, Mirren, and Gat, they planned to burn down the main house. Their goal? To destroy the toxic legacy of the Sinclair family and force a fresh start.

They made firebombs using petrol and wine bottles. Each person had a task. Johnny was in the attic. Mirren set fire to her mom’s old bedroom. Cadence handled the living room. The plan was to meet Gat at the dock and escape on a boat at midnight.

But things went horribly wrong.

A Mistake with Deadly Consequences

Cadence thought she got out safely. She believed she had gone back into the house to save the dogs and then escaped into the water. Her memory told her the fire was just an accident caused by faulty wiring.

But that wasn’t the truth.

Eventually, she remembers the real story. She sees the black pearl necklace her grandfather gave her, a family heirloom. That necklace unlocks everything.

The truth? Johnny, Mirren, and Gat never made it out of the fire. They died that night.

Cadence had actually been seeing their ghosts ever since she came back to the island. Every time she collapsed or got a migraine, it was when reality was breaking through her false memories.

What Happened to Johnny, Mirren, and Gat?

Each of the friends had second thoughts but still carried out the plan. Mirren even tried to save a painting before flames got worse. Johnny lit his room, and Gat waited at the dock. When no one showed up, he ran back into the house, worried.

Meanwhile, Cadence had gone back inside to save the dogs again. By the time she escaped, the house exploded. Gat, Johnny, and Mirren were still inside.

Newspaper clippings and flashbacks confirm their deaths. Cadence had blocked it all out, until now.

Facing the Truth

Cadence confesses to her grandfather Harris, who already knows she started the fire. He gives her the necklace and warns her to stay quiet for the sake of the family’s reputation. He’s planning one final media appearance for TIME magazine, hoping to clear rumors about a family curse.

But Cadence is torn. Should she keep lying to protect the family, or finally tell the truth?

A Heartbreaking Realization

In one of her last moments with Gat’s ghost, Cadence remembers she delayed meeting him at the dock because she went back for the black pearl necklace. Even though she hated what it stood for, she wanted it for herself.

That delay may have cost Gat his life. She feels deep guilt, knowing things might have ended differently if she hadn’t gone back.

Letting Go and Moving Forward

In a final emotional scene, Cadence reunites with the Liars’ ghosts one last time. Together, they jump into the water. When Cadence resurfaces, she’s alone, ready to move on.

Later, at the family photo shoot, Cadence shows up wearing the necklace Gat once gave her. She writes his name on her hand as a tribute. When the reporter asks for an interview, she declines.

Cadence then walks to the dock, jumps into a boat, and sails away. As she leaves, she throws the black pearl necklace into the sea, letting go of her past and choosing a new future.

A Final Surprise

In the last scene, we find out Cadence isn’t the only one seeing ghosts. Carrie, Johnny’s mom, has been hiding pills and is also haunted by her son’s spirit. Johnny tells her he’s not ready to leave.

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