Mommy sits on Bela’s bed after coming home late, still wearing her work clothes and smelling, to Bela, like another person. Bela pretends to fall asleep so Mommy will keep talking, and Mommy quietly spirals into guilt, saying she deserves this and questioning why she would risk her family. As Mommy cries and talks about how good Bela’s father is, Other Mommy steps out of the closet and blends into the dark corner near the ceiling.

Mommy senses something in the corner and nearly turns on the lamp, but stops. When Daddo appears in the doorway, Mommy is startled and tries to cover her unease by saying she is hungry. Daddo chats casually about Bela’s evening, while Mommy keeps staring upward and admits she felt watched. Daddo jokes, tells Mommy he loves her, and the exchange confirms to Bela that Mommy is troubled by something she has done while also still attached to the family.

As Bela listens, she reflects on Other Mommy’s repeated request to go into Bela’s heart. Bela remembers that Other Mommy once said they would switch places if Bela agreed, and Bela worries she might eventually say yes simply because Other Mommy keeps asking. Bela connects this fear to things she has heard adults say about temptation, favors, and people eventually giving in, which makes the pressure feel more dangerous and deliberate.

After Mommy and Daddo start to leave, Other Mommy suddenly speaks from right beside Bela’s bed, making Bela cry out. Bela lies and says she almost rolled off the bed, so her parents do not learn the truth. Mommy and Daddo return briefly; Mommy again checks the room, while Daddo notices a bad smell like a toilet pipe, suggesting he senses some sign of Other Mommy even if he cannot identify it.

Once Bela is alone again, she remembers when Other Mommy first seemed kind and comforting: they laughed together, Other Mommy combed Bela’s hair, covered Bela’s ears, held her, and watched from the closet while Bela slept. Those memories make Bela question whether they are still friends, even though Other Mommy now feels threatening. When Bela hears Mommy and Daddo laughing in the other room, Bela chooses not to call for help as Other Mommy slides away and the closet doors close, because Bela wants her parents to keep laughing for as long as possible.