From Junior's POV, he apologizes to Lauren for not telling her sooner about Tommy's past attack. He explains that after Tommy discovered the diary, he beat Junior badly and threatened to kill him if he ever looked at Lauren again, which is why Junior was absent from school that week. Lauren expresses sympathy, recognizing that she never wanted him hurt despite her anger.

Junior then admits an even harder truth: his father, Senior, also threatened Lauren back then, implying he would have hurt her if their relationship had continued. They commiserate over their terrible fathers, and Lauren asks to attend the next family dinner where Junior plans to tell Senior he's going legit, wanting to witness the confrontation.

Lauren initiates physical intimacy despite Junior's hesitation about whether she's in the right headspace. She insists physical touch is healing for her and that her lingering anger fuels her desire. They have intense, emotionally charged sex against the wall and then on the floor, during which Junior internally affirms his love for her and his vision of a real, open life together.

Afterward, Lauren marvels that he bought the building, and Junior tells her he'd buy the whole block. They acknowledge they're both still angry but don't want to be. Lauren sets a firm condition: she can forgive past actions, but she can't stay with him if he continues doing bad things. Junior promises he's done. They agree to rebuild slowly, Lauren admits he has her heart, and Junior vows to guard it with his life.