In 1948–49, Ernest Duquesne meets Lisavet Levy in the time space with increasing frequency and realizes he is falling in love with her, even as he keeps lying to his superior, Jack, about tracking her and taking her memory book. Lisavet explains she has only recently (about four years) been able to physically touch objects in memories, which makes her fear she might be “dead,” until she proves to herself she can touch Ernest. Afterward, Ernest receives a letter from Germany stating public records say Ezekiel Levy was killed on Kristallnacht, Klaus Levy died at Auschwitz, and Lisavet is presumed dead, confirming Lisavet has been erased from ordinary history.

Ernest revisits old letters showing his father Gregory once commissioned Ezekiel Levy to make specialized timekeeper watches, and that Ezekiel begged for help escaping the Nazis but waited too long. Disturbed by Lisavet’s unusual “solidity,” Ernest studies new science and forms a theory he calls temporal departure: Lisavet’s body and consciousness have become untethered from her original time after years inside Time, making her anomalously “real” within memories. The idea deepens Ernest’s fear that Jack may try to forcibly remove Lisavet from the time space, potentially harming her beyond repair.

From Lisavet’s perspective, Azrael warns her that Ernest is in love with her and that love brings danger, but Lisavet denies her own feelings. When Ernest suggests she leave the time space because the war is over and he could help, Lisavet refuses, insisting she must keep saving endangered memory-pages and guarding the forgotten. Later, Ernest recites poems, and the romantic tone—especially a love poem—makes Lisavet realize Azrael is right: Lisavet loves Ernest. Ernest gifts her a book of poetry, and Lisavet plans a romantic evening, borrowing a deep blue dress and a messenger bag from a burning-house memory.

Before their meeting, Lisavet spots the Russian timekeeper who previously shot Ernest and follows him as he burns a book. The Russian attacks Lisavet in a trap, accusing her of being an American spy and warning that they kill “rats,” choking and beating her. Lisavet fights back, injuring him with her knee, fist, and the half-burned book, then hides shaking and bruised until Ernest finds her. Ernest blames himself for escalating American–Russian tensions and for exposing Lisavet’s existence, but Lisavet admits she is glad she knows him; Ernest insists they still go somewhere together and chooses the memory.

Ernest takes Lisavet to a 1949 Manhattan jazz club memory where Billy Eckstine performs, bringing Lisavet close to “present day” for the first time in years. They dance—awkwardly at first—then slowly to “Blue Moon,” and Ernest nearly kisses her as the memory fades. Lisavet stops him only to choose a better place, taking him to a moonlit Spanish field memory; they confess desire through tender words and finally kiss, then move between memories as they make love, with Ernest vowing silently to protect Lisavet from harm—especially from Jack.

Afterward, Lisavet—unable to sleep—sees luminous “recent memories” drifting from Ernest and touches them, witnessing a scene of Jack demanding an update on the “German girl.” Feeling used and betrayed, Lisavet confronts Ernest, throws his clothes at him, and tries to force him to take the book and leave. Ernest admits Jack originally ordered him to track her and seize the book, but insists the relationship is real, declares he loves Lisavet, and reveals Jack would otherwise compel him to drag Lisavet out for questioning. Ernest gives the book back, tells Lisavet to hide it, and promises to lie, resign, or do whatever it takes; Lisavet agrees to see him tomorrow. Back in April 4, 1949, Ernest prepares for a meeting with Jack and decides on his “solution”: report the Russian attack and tell Jack that Lisavet Levy is dead.