Monique returns home past 3 am from her time with Evelyn and falls asleep quickly. When she is woken up a few hours later by a call from her mom, Monique tells her that Frankie agreed to a promotion and Evelyn agreed to a cover story. Monique feels empowered but has no idea that when Evelyn finishes her story, she’ll learn “what this has all been about” (223) and hate her.

Harry and Evelyn attend the next Academy Awards, now engaged. Evelyn is nominated, but so is Celia. When she sees her ex for the first time in 5 years, she is “breathless” (226). When Evelyn loses to Ruby, she goes to the bathroom to cry. Celia finds her there. They both express blame and regret for how things ended and soon find themselves in each other’s arms. They make love against the door, knowing anyone could catch them. By doing so, they repair their relationship by recognizing what they were both “willing to risk” (231).

Harry and Evelyn marry, buy a Manhattan apartment next to John and Celia’s, and the four live happily as “four beards” (233). Then the Stonewall riots happen and Evelyn is heartbroken to realize that people are willing to die for what she hides.