Working in Henry Strauss’s bookstore on March 18, 2014, Addie LaRue throws herself into the day, restocking and reshelving while Henry handles customers. Henry watches her move through the store as if the books are companions, dazzled by how much presence and warmth she carries despite calling herself a ghost to everyone else.

Addie chats easily about literature and history, mentioning writers she has encountered, and Henry notices how quickly she can mask brief flashes of sadness and longing by launching into another story. Henry also sees how unusually drawn Book the cat is to her, and Addie sheepishly reveals she has treats in her pocket.

When a customer approaches the register, Henry experiences his deal’s effect again: the woman’s eyes shine with an altered warmth, and Henry wonders what version of him she is seeing. Addie joins him at the counter and shifts the conversation to the cameras and photographs in Henry’s apartment, correctly guessing they are his.

Henry explains why photography once mattered to him, recalling a childhood family picture that looked happy despite a miserable day, which taught him that photos create convincing fictions without context. Addie asks why he stopped, and Henry admits—without fully saying it—that time moved on and he felt left behind, so he abandoned the hobby.

Inspired by Addie, Henry tries to photograph her with his phone, but the first attempt does not capture at all and the next turns out blurred. Addie confirms it “won’t work,” explaining that the curse is not tied to any specific technology; it is tied to Addie herself, and Henry is left picturing Luc’s smiling presence behind the rule.