Five years earlier, as Savvy drives Lucy home after the wedding, they find Emmett blocking the road with his truck. Emmett asks to speak to Lucy alone, and although Savvy objects, Lucy gets out of the car. Emmett leads Lucy a short distance into the trees, frustrated that Savvy keeps watching from the car.

Emmett apologizes for kissing Lucy earlier, then immediately confesses that he has loved Lucy for years. He tells Lucy that Matt is abusive and unfaithful and urges Lucy to leave Matt and be with him instead. Lucy recognizes that Emmett has built a fantasy in which he can rescue her, but Lucy is emotionally overwhelmed and does not return his feelings. When Lucy tries to refuse him gently, Emmett kisses Lucy again and presses harder after being rejected.

Lucy makes it clear that she does not want a relationship with Emmett, but Emmett grows angry and insists that Lucy must feel something because she kissed him back before. Savvy, hearing the tension escalate, comes into the trees and intervenes. Savvy tells Emmett that Lucy has said no and tries to end the conversation, while Emmett lashes out at Savvy and refuses to stop.

The confrontation turns physical when Emmett grabs Lucy's arm and tries to pull Lucy away from Savvy. The rough grip triggers Lucy's self-protective instincts from dealing with Matt, and Lucy becomes acutely aware that the situation is dangerous. Savvy shoves Emmett and orders him to let Lucy go, but Emmett still refuses.

Lucy finally punches Emmett in the jaw, breaking his hold. Shaking and furious, Lucy screams that she does not want Emmett's help or his long-held crush. As Lucy and Savvy turn to leave, the moment seems to end, but Lucy looks back just in time to see Emmett lunge at Lucy, leaving the confrontation on a violent cliffhanger.