Scarlett lies low in St. Louis with Barb after leaving California abruptly post‑NCAAs. Barb counsels acceptance over rumination, and Scarlett balances hospital internship shifts with solo sessions at her old club. Messages trickle in: teammates check in, Victoria apologizes, and Coach Sima emails pride, logistics about her medal, and urgent reminders to register for Olympic trials.

Training becomes a refuge, and praise from Coach Kumar confirms her form. While drafting her med school essay, Scarlett centers Barb’s courage in rescuing her from abuse, then questions her own. She begins an unsent letter to Pen, laying out anger over the scene at finals, the stolen medal moment, and the manipulation of her and Lukas.

The reflection clarifies Scarlett’s feelings: frustration with Pen and unresolved hurt toward Lukas, but also the desire to act rather than avoid. In a locker room, seeing Lukas’s current location on her phone crystallizes a plan to go to him in Sweden.

Scarlett calls Barb to request a brief break from the internship and money for a ticket. Barb enthusiastically agrees to help. Buoyed, Scarlett heads out, searching flights and ready to retrieve her passport and leave as soon as possible.

Just outside the club, someone grabs her arm and says, “Vandy?” Scarlett looks up to find Penelope Ross blocking her path, halting her dash toward Lukas and setting up an immediate confrontation.