Three months before trivia night, Celeste and Perry spend a quiet evening together after Perry’s recent trip, drinking wine, eating chocolate, and watching The Walking Dead while their boys sleep. Perry seems affectionate and helpful, having taken over the boys’ bedtime routine so Celeste could rest.

The calm shifts when Perry asks whether the family is going to Amabella’s birthday party. Celeste explains that she declined Renata’s invitation because Madeline arranged free Disney On Ice tickets, and Celeste chose to align herself with Madeline and Jane rather than attend the party. Perry takes the decision personally because he has been away and wants family time before leaving again.

Celeste tries to apologize and keep the conversation ordinary, but Perry’s hurt escalates into anger. When Celeste attempts to leave the room, Perry grabs Celeste’s arm hard enough to hurt her, then shoves her. The incident reveals that Perry has been violent before and that Celeste has tried different responses, including threats to leave, yelling, walking away, and fighting back, none of which has stopped the pattern.

Celeste remembers earlier incidents, including Perry’s first assault when the twins were babies and a worse assault shortly after their second birthday. Celeste intended to leave Perry after that second attack, but Josh’s sudden croup and hospitalization displaced the crisis, and Perry’s trip soon afterward let the moment for action pass.

After the current violence, Perry immediately regrets his behavior and apologizes. Celeste rationalizes the abuse by comparing it to worse forms of domestic violence, by emphasizing Perry’s love, charm, and devotion, and by framing Perry’s rage as an illness rather than his true self. With no one else present to comfort Celeste, Celeste lets Perry hold her.

A later comment from Samantha recalls Perry and Celeste’s entrance at trivia night, noting how the room reacted to their striking presence.