Three days after confronting Nic, Lauren remains locked in her bedroom, devastated and physically bruised from their fight. She has hidden the truth from her roommates to protect them, fearing the danger of knowing about Nic's family. She agonizes over Nic's confession and his subsequent regretful expression, unsure what to believe.

Nic enters the apartment, and Lauren, terrified he's come to kill her, grabs a whip in defense. Instead, he hands her an envelope containing the deed to Velvet's building. He explains he bought it from McKinney to give her, intending it as proof of his commitment, and apologizes for losing his temper and lying.

Pressed for the truth, Nic reveals that Tommy is alive. Tommy cooked the books for Lorenzo, and when the feds closed in, he tipped Lorenzo off; in exchange, Lorenzo relocated him to Italy to work for a cousin. Nic shows photo and video proof. He recounts how he and his brothers staged Tommy's death using a stolen, mutilated corpse, and admits he cut off McKinney's finger (since reattached) to force the sale.

Nic confesses he can feel himself dying inside under his father's demands and fears becoming him. Lauren refuses to accept the deed, insisting Nic use it to buy his freedom. After she nearly faints, he catches her, and she finally trusts that he isn't there to hurt her. They reconcile tearfully, both apologizing—Lauren for her instinct to push people away, Nic for hiding everything.

In the chapter's final revelation, Nic admits that Tommy had threatened to kill him back in high school, which is why he lied about their relationship a decade ago. Lauren realizes that all her heartbreak ultimately traces back to her father.