Evie rides with Ryan to a Derby party at Hidden Hills Farm, worrying about her extravagant hat while noting they skipped a pre-party with his friends. At the bar, personalized julep cups and a stream of acquaintances underscore Ryan’s social standing as he introduces Evie as his girlfriend. They mingle with neighbors like Mrs. Rogers and a local judge amid the expansive, secluded setting.

James Bernard, an old friend of Ryan’s, arrives and greets Ryan enthusiastically. He introduces his date as Lucca Marino. Evie takes in James’s worn appearance and the woman’s polished look, noticing that the companion’s build, coloring, and style echo Evie’s own.

Drawn to the woman, Evie probes gently. “Lucca” says she is from Eden, North Carolina, and that her mother died of breast cancer—facts that strike Evie as personally significant. Evie compares their features and notes their striking similarities, heightening her unease.

Evie tests the woman by referencing a local festival, hoping for a mistake. Instead, “Lucca” correctly identifies the Fall Riverfest, confirming knowledge that Evie hoped she would not possess. The implication that this stranger knows intimate details of Evie’s past pushes Evie to excuse herself and hurry to the restroom.

Alone in a stall, Evie silently unravels: the woman is not from Eden—Evie is; the woman’s claimed maternal history matches Evie’s; and the name “Lucca Marino” belongs to Evie herself. Realizing her true identity is being used in her orbit, Evie panics, recognizing a direct threat to her cover and control.