In a retrospective comment, Miss Barnes says the school year seemed promising after the orientation-day incident, but halfway through the first term the situation deteriorated badly.

Two weeks before trivia night, Jane works from Blue Blues instead of her cold apartment, following Madeline's suggestion. Tom gives Jane a free peach, macadamia, and lime muffin for her opinion, and Jane notices that the warm café, Tom's friendliness, and her daily routine have begun to make her feel more alive.

Jane reflects that since reading a sex scene and telling Madeline about Saxon Banks, Jane's body and senses have started reawakening. Speaking Saxon's insults aloud has reduced their power, and Jane recognizes that keeping the assault secret made it dominate her life. Jane has also told Celeste a shorter version of the story; Celeste responded gently and gave Jane a lapis necklace meant to heal emotional wounds.

Jane's walks with Celeste, new friendships, and exercise have improved Jane's mood and appetite, though Jane's anxiety about food still returns when she fears gaining weight. Jane manages to eat and enjoy Tom's muffin, but the moment is interrupted when the school principal, Patricia Lipmann, calls and urgently asks Jane to meet that afternoon before pickup. Jane senses from Mrs. Lipmann's tone that the meeting will not be good news.

Further retrospective comments explain that Amabella's bullying had been going on for some time before Renata fully understood it, partly because the nanny had not communicated what was happening. Parents and school figures argue over blame, discipline, work, gender expectations, and teacher responsibility, while Miss Barnes admits this case was worse than ordinary playground conflict.