Bel returns home after spending the day pursuing leads about Rachel. Bel's father mentions that his favorite Santa mug has been broken, and Bel wonders whether Bel broke it carelessly or whether Rachel did it deliberately to unsettle him.

Bel's father then reveals that Principal Wheeler called because Bel went to Mr. Tripp's house and allegedly harassed him with questions about Rachel. Bel, realizing Bel has been exposed, decides to tell Bel's father what Bel has uncovered: Bel believes Rachel lied about the disappearance and reappearance, bought clothes in North Conway months earlier, and may be connected to Mr. Tripp.

Bel expects Bel's father to believe and support Bel, but he firmly rejects the theory. He says Rachel is telling the truth, insists he knows Rachel better than Bel does, and asks Bel to stop investigating because continuing will only make things harder.

Bel is hurt because Bel's father has always been Bel's anchor, but Bel chooses to try for his sake. Bel promises to let the suspicion go, though the doubt in Bel's gut remains. When Bel's father learns Bel was with Ash, he warns that the documentary crew may be manipulating Bel to create a more sensational story and says Bel should not see Ash alone.

Trying to repair the family instead of fighting Rachel, Bel asks Bel's father to spend time together the next day, possibly with Rachel too. Bel's father agrees. As Rachel leaves the bathroom upstairs and locks herself in the spare room, Bel wonders whether Rachel overheard, then forces Belself to stop suspecting Rachel and try to keep the promise.