Avery retreats to the bathroom after realizing Thea has styled her to look like Emily Laughlin. Avery removes the necklace but cannot undo the elaborate hairstyle, and Avery asks Alisa for help. Alisa locks the door, admits that she may have pushed Avery too hard, and is surprised when Avery explains the resemblance to Emily.

Alisa says that the press will not recognize the reference because Emily was only an ordinary girl, but Avery rejects that idea internally. Emily has become central to Avery’s understanding of the Hawthornes, especially through Rebecca, Jameson, and Grayson, and Avery cannot ignore the emotional weight of being made to resemble her.

Alisa warns that Avery’s absence will draw attention, forcing Avery to return to the gala despite her distress. Avery agrees only after demanding that Alisa protect Libby in any way possible, regardless of Alisa’s connection to Nash or Nash’s connection to Libby. Alisa gives Avery her word.

At dinner, Alisa guides Avery to the Hawthorne Foundation tables. Avery tries to sit with Nan, but Alisa instead places Avery directly beside Grayson, with other Hawthornes nearby and open seats likely including one for Jameson. The arrangement traps Avery beside the person most affected by her resemblance to Emily.

Avery quietly tells Grayson that she did not dress like Emily on purpose and would undo the braid if she could. Grayson’s stiff responses show that he believes Avery but is still deeply shaken. When Avery imagines Grayson undoing Emily’s hair, Avery accidentally knocks over Alisa’s wine, and the spreading red stain crystallizes Avery’s painful realization: Avery feels she does not belong in the Hawthornes’ world and never will.