Violet discovers the house she is in belonged to her late mother, part of the Weyward family.
She finds herself in a rundown and dusty environment, feeling alone and reflecting on her situation.
Eating cold food and attempting to light a candle, Violet is hit by the reality of her mother's past life there.
The dilapidated garden and presence of crows create a sense of eerie connection to her family heritage.
Overcome by nausea and a headache, Violet searches for water and eventually finds an old pump outside.
She attempts to cleanse the house and herself, albeit without soap, a reflection of her isolation and desolation.
Violet contemplates her mother's poverty and if it was the reason for her father's secrecy and possible shame.
She reflects on the nature of witches and questions the stories about them, relating them to her mother.
Discovering a locked bureau, Violet uses a small key from her locket to unlock it, finding old papers.
She discovers letters from her father to her mother, revealing a romantic connection, and one desperate letter from her mother.
Violet's mother's letter details her regret, a coerced act that led to multiple deaths, and her subsequent imprisonment and deteriorating mental health.
Lizzie, Violet's mother, realizes her error in trusting Rupert, Violet's father, who sought to use her for his gain.
Rupert's letters uncover his manipulation, desire to conceal Lizzie's witchcraft, and the sinister turn to medically harm Lizzie.
Violet is devastated to learn that her mother was forced into surgery that likely led to her death rather than dying in childbirth.
Conflicted by the contents of her mother's letter, Violet grapples with the potential implication in her relatives' deaths and her father's motivations.
Violet seeks the truth about her grandmother, Elinor, and her mother's legacy mentioned in the letter.
In the bureau, Violet finds an ancient book belonging to her ancestor Altha, possibly a significant part of her family's legacy.