During a present-day interview, Monique asks Evelyn how she remained confident as Don left and her career faltered. Evelyn challenges Monique’s framing and coaxes out that Monique is facing an impending divorce. Evelyn asserts that heartbreak is the true loss while divorce is only a document, a distinction that arrests Monique’s attention and reframes her feelings.

After leaving Evelyn’s, Monique rides the subway home, mulling over the conversation and a missed call from her editor, Frankie. She weighs whether to lie about progress on the Vivant piece or tell the truth and risk her job, recognizing that her reputation and future opportunities are at stake.

When Frankie calls, Monique decides to prioritize her own outcome. She tells Frankie that Evelyn is no longer interested in a Vivant article and instead wants a full biography written by Monique. Frankie reacts with shock and frustration, but listens as Monique explains she has been trying to change Evelyn’s mind.

Monique seizes the moment to negotiate. She asks for an editor-at-large role; Frankie counters with writer at large, citing internal fairness, and Monique agrees—adding a demand for a raise, which Frankie accepts. The agreement is contingent on Monique delivering a Vivant cover story with Evelyn and booking a photo shoot by next week, with confirmation due the next day. Frankie ends impressed yet angry, and Monique commits to making the story worth it.