Olive wakes to a barrage of messages, including congratulations on her talk and frantic texts from Anh. Anh and Malcolm rush in with news: Malcolm hooked up with Holden Rodrigues, and Holden seems genuinely interested. Amid their excitement, Olive realizes it’s September 29, the day Adam’s frozen funds would be decided.

Adam texts to meet after his interviews, including grant meetings with Tom. Olive, determined to do what she believes is best for Adam, goes to his hotel to return a forgotten charger and to talk. They banter and discuss Malcolm and Holden’s budding relationship; Adam reveals Holden won’t stop talking about Malcolm.

Adam asks Olive to consider filing a complaint about the harassment she overheard at SBD, offering to help. Olive, overwhelmed and intent on protecting Adam from fallout related to Tom, refuses. She then brings up the date: Adam confirms his funds are unfrozen, and Olive congratulates him.

Olive ends their arrangement, framing it as the planned deadline and wishing Adam well at Harvard and with a future partner. Adam processes the blow quietly, offering support whenever she needs it. As Olive leaves, their goodbye turns into a final, lingering kiss; Adam pulls back, and Olive departs devastated, feeling as if she’s fallen from a great height.