Love Blossomed Like Summer Fire, Then Withered

On the eve of their fourth-anniversary trip, Nell sees a message light up Jonah's phone. It is from Toby, brother of Aria, the girl Jonah once loved with a fierce, self-destructive passion. Aria is alone in the psychiatric ward after her divorce, sobbing and repeating that she regrets everything. Jonah promises Nell he will not go, but his arms stiffen around her, and the future they spent four years building begins to tilt.

At the airport, Nell waits with their itinerary while Jonah finishes a morning shift. A call connects, and Aria's soft voice answers instead. Jonah has gone to her, feeding her the homemade potato soup he once said he made only for Nell. Nell goes to the hospital and finds him sharing a half-eaten apple with Aria, letting her rest her cheek against his chest. He insists Aria is sick and not to take it to heart, but the rules he breaks for her are the ones he keeps with Nell.