Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
Natalie recalls deliberately renovating her modern farmhouse to mimic the past, then wakes injured in that very “time machine.” She meets young Maeve, learns the men are out, and realizes her pregnancy is missing. In the kitchen, an older girl credits Natalie with teaching soapmaking, deepening the disorienting sense that Natalie belongs to this earlier life.
Summary
The chapter opens with Natalie describing how she and Caleb hired a compliant contractor to transform their newly purchased, fully modernized farmhouse into a convincing “time machine,” hiding modern appliances and installing period aesthetics while keeping modern comforts.
Cut to the present: Natalie wakes under a coarse quilt, disoriented and in pain, likely concussed. She suspects the older version of Caleb carried her back after knocking her out. Without mirrors and covered in grime, she struggles to verify her identity and fights mounting panic.
A small girl enters and identifies herself as Maeve, calling Natalie “Mama.” Natalie tests reality with questions; Maeve says it is Wednesday and that Caleb is out working with Abel and Noah. The tenderness of Maeve’s approach unsettles Natalie, who is torn between instinctive attachment and dread.
A sudden realization strikes: Natalie is no longer pregnant. Grief and terror surge as she wonders what happened to her baby and whether her real family is searching for her. She reaches for faith, reciting scripture and questioning whether her suffering serves some purpose in God’s plan.
Maeve leads Natalie to the quieter kitchen, where an older girl pours soap batter into wooden molds and sprinkles lavender. The scene triggers memories of Natalie’s early influencer soap videos and how she learned to withstand online criticism. When Natalie asks who taught them to add herbs, the older girl replies, “You did,” implying Natalie has been living as their mother here, deepening the mystery of her displacement.
Who Appears
- NatalieProtagonist; wakes injured and disoriented, realizes pregnancy is gone, and learns the girls credit her with teaching soapmaking.
- MaeveYoung daughter who gently guides Natalie, confirms it’s Wednesday, and says the men are out working.
- Older girl (unnamed)Elder daughter making soap; calmly tells Natalie she taught them to add herbs.
- Caleb (older)Harsher version of Natalie’s husband; likely carried her to bed after knocking her out; away working.
- AbelBoy mentioned as working outside with Caleb; part of the household.
- NoahAnother boy working with Caleb; part of the household.
- ContractorPragmatic builder who enabled Natalie and Caleb’s historically styled renovation.