Lily goes to her mother’s house dreading the conversation she has avoided for months. Lily fears that her mother will be thrilled about the baby but will excuse Ryle’s violence, just as Lily believes her mother once excused Lily’s father. Lily also admits to herself that her resolve is inconsistent: some days Lily is furious, while other days Lily misses the loving parts of her marriage intensely.

Before Lily can speak, Lily’s mother reveals that she is seeing someone new. Lily is initially alarmed, worried her mother may be repeating the past, but Lily’s mother reassures Lily that the man is kind. Lily is relieved and happy for her, though Lily says it is not a good time to meet him.

Lily then removes her coat, places her mother’s hand on her stomach, and tells her mother she is going to be a grandmother. Lily’s mother is overjoyed, but she quickly notices Lily’s distress. Lily breaks down, and for the first time Lily lets herself be comforted rather than trying to remain strong.

Lily tells her mother the essential truth: Ryle hurt Lily more than once, Lily is frightened of raising the baby alone, and Lily doubts whether she has handled everything correctly. When Lily’s mother asks whether Lily wants to return to Ryle, Lily cannot give a simple answer. Lily confesses that she mourns the good parts of the relationship and sometimes wonders whether enduring Ryle’s worst moments would be worth having his best ones.

Lily’s mother responds by warning Lily not to lose sight of her limit. She explains that every violent incident in her own marriage pushed that limit farther until abuse began to feel less severe by comparison. Lily’s mother tells Lily that love is not enough if it is not the right kind of love, and that if Ryle truly loved Lily properly, Ryle would remove himself rather than risk hurting Lily again.

The conversation changes Lily’s view of her mother. Lily realizes her mother is not weak but deeply strong because of what she survived and what she now understands. Lily’s mother then reveals that she knew Lily intentionally refused to praise Lily’s father at his funeral, and says it was the proudest she had ever been of Lily. She urges Lily to be that same brave, bold girl now.