In Verity’s manuscript, Verity recalls making Jeremy chicken and dumplings after sensing that he had become distant and angry with her. Verity assumes a favorite meal, candles, lingerie, and sex will smooth things over. She notes that Jeremy disliked her recent decision to put the twins in daycare, especially because Chastin has a severe peanut allergy, but Verity believes his real frustration is something else.

During dinner, Verity repeatedly talks about Chastin’s progress at daycare, and Jeremy’s irritation becomes obvious. When Verity pushes him to explain himself, Jeremy loses his temper, knocks his bowl across the table, and leaves. In the bedroom, Jeremy finally says that Verity constantly talks about Chastin while rarely mentioning Harper, and he fears Harper will notice that Verity treats the twins differently.

Verity realizes Jeremy has seen through her favoritism, so she quickly invents explanations meant to make her behavior seem thoughtful rather than cruel. Verity claims Chastin is simply more outwardly responsive and that Harper needs quieter affirmation. When Jeremy remains worried, Verity escalates the lie by saying a daycare teacher suggested Harper might need testing for Asperger’s and claims she has already contacted a specialist. This shifts Jeremy’s anger into concern for Harper and helps Verity regain control of the conversation.

To erase the conflict completely, Verity tells Jeremy she is pregnant again. Jeremy is surprised because he thought Verity did not want more children, but the announcement immediately softens him and restores his affection. He apologizes for ruining the evening, embraces Verity, and becomes tender and attentive.

The chapter ends with Verity privately revealing that the pregnancy is false. She reflects that Jeremy seems to love her most when she is pregnant, so the lie feels worth it to her if it keeps his focus on her. Verity also coldly notes that if she does not actually conceive soon, she can simply fake a miscarriage.