Celeste lies in bed after Perry's latest assault, remembering the warning that violent relationships tend to become more violent over time. Looking out at the sea, Celeste recalls how excited Perry was when they first bought the ocean-view house, when Celeste was pregnant and before the idea of Perry hitting her seemed possible.

Perry appears at the bedroom door, gentle and solicitous, offering Celeste tea. Perry has told Celeste he will work from home in the morning to make sure Celeste is all right, and he has phoned Madeline to ask her to collect the boys from school, describing Celeste as sick. Celeste registers how convincing Perry's concern sounds, as if Perry may partly believe his own version of events.

Celeste looks at Perry's caring face and simultaneously remembers Perry jeering at Celeste and slamming Celeste's head against the wall. The contrast between Perry's tenderness and violence leaves Celeste stunned, and Celeste thinks of him as both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde without knowing which identity is the truer one.

After Perry leaves, Celeste considers Susi's repeated warning that the most dangerous time for a battered woman is after ending the relationship. Celeste realizes that Celeste has treated leaving as the hard final decision, when in fact leaving could make Perry even more dangerous.

Celeste concludes that if Celeste stays, Perry's escalating violence may eventually kill Celeste, and if Celeste leaves, Perry may also kill Celeste. Celeste understands that the apartment Celeste has prepared is not a sufficient escape plan, and the realization leaves Celeste trapped by the terrifying likelihood that the husband who loves Celeste may one day kill Celeste.