June processes Athena’s death with detached shock rather than deep grief. Support groups and therapy feel mismatched, and a single late-night guilt spiral over the failed Heimlich prompts reassurance from June’s sister, Rory. June posts a viral Twitter thread about the tragedy, then steps back from social media.

At Athena’s funeral, invited by Mrs. Liu to speak, June offers a glowing eulogy amid a mostly older, Asian congregation and leaves early, unsettled. She withdraws from work and daily life, binge-watching shows and eating takeout while turning to the manuscript Athena left behind.

June reads The Last Front, recognizing its brilliance and unfinished state. What begins as a “writing exercise” grows into a full takeover: June fills gaps, trims, and restructures, rationalizing that finishing and polishing the book honors Athena and ensures the novel’s survival.

Weighing the risks of credit and authorization, June sends the completed manuscript to her agent, Brett, as her own. After anxious waiting, Brett responds enthusiastically with light edits, which June swiftly implements. Brett submits first to Garrett for right of first refusal; Garrett passes, enabling a broader submission to top editors.

Interest surges: a HarperCollins editor takes the book to acquisitions, multiple houses bid, and an auction culminates in a lucrative sale to Eden Press. June receives splashy coverage, gains followers, quits her tutoring job, celebrates with acquaintances, and revels in having “made it,” equating her windfall with stepping into Athena’s once-unreachable career tier.