At In-N-Out, Xavier recounted his mother’s call, which minimized past abuse and offered no accountability. Samantha forcefully condemned the parents’ behavior, argued that true remorse would matter, and told Xavier she believed he would accept a genuine apology because he seeks peace. Xavier admitted he would have accepted an apology but would not fully trust his parents again; the call had reopened old wounds and fueled his resolve to succeed despite them.

They discussed how adult perspective can reframe childhood memories, with Samantha sharing a story about her mother’s overreaction and how understanding and apologies change feelings. Xavier reflected on feeling seen by Samantha, who believed him based on knowing his character, and he imagined a future where his parents never meet Samantha or his children.

Xavier asked Samantha if she wanted children, and both said yes, considering options if pregnancy were not possible. Xavier assured Samantha that their partnership came first, saying that if she were his wife she would be his world. Samantha briefly left to the restroom, and Xavier enjoyed one of her brand’s humorous social media posts, reaffirming that his parents did not deserve to know her.

They went to the grocery store for ingredients for Samantha’s assigned appetizer, chatting about better produce, a future garden, and a home full of rescue animals. The mundane errands made Xavier feel content and hopeful about their shared future.

In the parking lot, they spotted a panting pug in a locked, non-running car on an eighty-five-to-ninety-degree day. Xavier had Samantha call 9-1-1, smashed the rear window with a tire iron, and removed the dog, who was near death with a blue tongue. With bystanders’ help and water, Xavier cooled the dog, focusing on lowering core temperature and wetting the paw pads, and the pug revived as police arrived.

The dog’s owner confronted them angrily about the broken window, but witnesses and Samantha defended Xavier. After officers cited the man for animal cruelty, Xavier advised immediate emergency vet care. The owner refused, calling the dog a “five-dollar” animal and left, abandoning the dog. Samantha filmed him and threatened to publicize his actions, which pushed him to leave without the dog.

Once he departed, Samantha and Xavier joked about the “witness protection program for dogs,” and Samantha admitted she had always wanted a pug. Xavier agreed, implying they would take the dog in.