Back in DC and creatively empty, June drifts through housework and doomscrolling. She fixates on hate-filled reviews and a Medium post demanding extreme “amends,” refusing any public capitulation. Then she finds a thoughtful, anonymous Goodreads review arguing The Last Front shows mixed authorship and speculating about her bond with Athena, even hinting at culpability, which jolts her curiosity.

Seizing the idea, June decides to write a pseudo-autobiographical novel that blurs truth and fiction: their friendship, Athena’s death, the theft, and her rise and fall. She frames it as radical reclamation and plans to emphasize a sapphic subtext to drive buzz and sales, imagining commercial and critical redemption.

With Daniella mired in a public scandal over alleged Islamophobic remarks, June holds off pitching but starts drafting furiously, feeling absolved as the words pour out. Buoyed by momentum, she posts on Instagram about her productive writing day, positioning herself as focused and unbothered by negativity.

That night, Athena’s long-dormant Instagram account suddenly posts a creepy photo featuring June’s books and a taunting caption. June realizes the account has been configured so only she can see it, triggering panic. She searches for signs of wider attention and finds none, concluding the poster wants to unsettle her specifically.

Unable to ignore it, June suspects Geoffrey Carlino and texts him. He denies involvement. Desperate to reassert control, June demands he meet her at Coco’s and threatens to release a damaging recording if he refuses.