Chapter 17
Summary
- Phil discusses his concerns about his wife Sam with his therapist, Dr. Kovitz:
- Sam is often away from home or avoiding Phil by walking the dog or doing house chores.
- Phil notices Sam is wearing makeup more frequently, which is out of character for her.
- Phil admits they haven't been physically intimate for many months, and he feels unable to communicate his fear of their relationship ending.
- Dr. Kovitz inquires about how Phil felt when his father died, suggesting a pattern of Phil feeling like he's letting others down.
- Phil abruptly ends the session, feeling challenged by the conversation about his sense of manhood and responsibilities.
- Nisha is living temporarily with Jasmine and her daughter Grace since being ousted from her affluent life by her husband:
- Her new routine is exhausting, involving early morning commutes and helping with household chores.
- Jasmine jokes and shares her aspirations while Nisha grapples with her drastically changed life.
- Nisha is alarmed to see Charlotte Willis wearing her expensive Chloé coat that was taken from her.
- Jasmine advises Nisha to play the "long game" instead of reacting immediately to Charlotte wearing the coat.
- At work, Nisha is encouraged by Aleks to change her perspective on her situation, seeing it as an opportunity to start over.
- Aleks seems content with his own difficult work circumstances due to his positive outlook.
- He advises Nisha to keep trying to contact her husband to resolve her situation.
- Nisha confronts her husband Carl over the phone using Aleks' device to keep her location secret and arranges to meet him in person:
- Meeting Carl at his hotel, Nisha discusses their relationship and his actions towards her.
- Carl suggests a settlement, but things sour when he fixates on getting back a pair of shoes he had given her.
- Carl abruptly leaves the meeting after Nisha fails to produce the shoes, indicating she won't receive any settlement or assistance without them.