Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses toxic relationships, mental health conditions, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse.

Billie sits with a sleeping baby in her arms. Through the open window, she hears Cassie scream from the apartment above. Fifteen minutes have passed since Billie took Cassie’s baby, Ella. Cassie shouts that she needs Billie, and Billie silences her phone as it begins to vibrate. Billie feels triumphant at Cassie’s sudden need for her.

Thirty-five-year-old Billie is on her third date with Alex. She is attracted to Alex but is also wary of getting involved and hurting him. They agree to meet again when she returns from a work trip to Portugal.

Billie wants to tell her best friend, Cassie, about Alex. However, Cassie rarely returns her calls or messages, using the excuse that she is busy with her new baby. When Billie returns to her apartment in the Village, she immediately checks Cassie’s Instagram account for new posts. Cassie Adler is beautiful, owns a SoHo boutique selling high-end apparel, and has 48,000 Instagram followers. Cassie posts about her daily activities, and Billie is addicted to watching her content.

Billie last saw Cassie three months ago when she visited Ella for the first time.