At the registrar’s office, Cora watches the name “Bear Atkin” written on the certificate and feels intense joy. The registrar remarks she has never registered a Bear before and praises the fit of the name; Maia beams at being the “proud big sister.” Outside, Maia is giddy that Cora chose the name she suggested, and Cora feels this as a defining, empowering moment for Maia.

As they walk home, Cora’s elation turns to dread about Gordon’s reaction, especially if he learns Maia proposed the name. She worries about breaking the family naming tradition and anticipates Gordon’s fury. At home, she arranges for Maia to go to Mehri’s for tea after learning the swimming pool is closed, hoping to keep Maia out until after Gordon arrives. She notes how natural it feels to call the baby Bear.

Fearing for Bear’s safety, Cora contemplates how to time his feeding and goes so far as to clear space in the bedroom closet and place the Moses basket inside. She tests the air gap by stepping into the closet herself and reflects on the impersonal bedroom she shares with Gordon. When Bear stirs, Maia soothes him and takes him to the living room while Cora remains momentarily in the closet, feeling suspended from her life.

At 6:30 p.m., Gordon comes home. Cora immediately confesses that she registered the baby with a different name. When she says the name is Bear and shows the certificate, Gordon drops a water jug, then grabs Cora by the hair and repeatedly slams her head against the refrigerator, hissing that she failed to do the “one thing” he asked. Cora screams for help so neighbors will hear; when he covers her mouth, she bites his hand and runs, feeling her stitches tear but driven by adrenaline.

In the living room, a neighbor from two doors down arrives with his dog and pulls Gordon off Cora. Gordon shouts at the neighbor for entering and violently shoves him, sending him crashing through the patio doors.

Later, police and paramedics respond. A young officer calls Mehri to keep Maia overnight and retrieves Bear from the closet, soothing him. Cora, disoriented and ringing in one ear, observes the scene in shock as paramedics work and an older officer cuffs Gordon. She notes Gordon’s standing as a well-liked doctor, even as he is led away. The responders treat Cora with quiet kindness amid the chaos that has culminated in this violent night.