Lila composes a careful letter to Jensen, apologizing for betraying his trust, confirming she will cancel her book and not publish anything about him, and asking that he not end his friendship with Bill. She reflects on how words have failed her, on the pain she caused Jensen, and on the hollowness of Gabriel’s manipulative assurances. She mails the letter amid a storm, resolving to rely on herself.

At home, Celie works on an Animation Club drawing and Violet watches Star Squadron Zero, while Lila cooks a comforting dinner and pointedly avoids contacting Gene. A call from Penelope breaks the calm: Bill has been taken to the hospital with a suspected heart attack.

Lila scrambles to leave, asks Celie to look after Violet, and admits Bill is ill. Outside, she discovers the large plane tree has fallen, blocking her car. With no rides available, she calls Jensen. He arrives quickly, drives her in tense silence, and drops her at the hospital, telling her to call if she needs a ride back.

Lila finds Bill in Coronary Care, sedated and wired to monitors, with Penelope holding his hand. Penelope, distraught and feeling excluded as “not family,” explains the treatment so far. Lila reassures Penelope, kisses Bill, and then asserts herself as Bill’s daughter at the nurses’ station to obtain information.

Over several hours, Lila learns Bill suffered a myocardial infarction; his quick aspirin may have helped, but tests continue, including for brain hemorrhage. With only one person allowed to stay and the girls at home, Lila leaves Penelope to keep vigil and heads back by taxi, numb and focused on logistics.

Arriving home, Lila is stunned to see the fallen tree gone, replaced by logs and branches neatly piled. Inside, Jensen rises from the kitchen table, explaining he cleared the tree with his chainsaw and stayed nearby so Celie would feel safe. When Jensen asks after Bill, Lila struggles to hold back tears, then breaks down. Jensen steadies her, holds her until she calms, makes her tea, and leaves quietly, promising to follow up about the remaining branches.