Lo reflects on her depression after college, when she was dating Ben. She talks about taking antidepressants, and the way they removed a fog from her brain, transforming her into a better version of herself, like wearing makeup. She talks about Ben leaving her when she was at her worst, and the devastation she felt.
Back in the present, Lo leaves her room to harass Ben about telling Nilsson about her experience with the burglar. Ben is startled, and apologetic, which isn't what Lo has expected. He tells her that Nilsson bombarded him in the hallway, and he was hungover and confused when she spoke. Ben asks why she is so startled, and Lo questions whether to tell him the whole story, but feels so desperate not to be alone that she finally reveals the truth. To her surprise, Ben believes her story. Ben helps Lo realize that only Nilsson knew about the mascara that disappeared, and as such must have been behind its mysterious confiscation. Ben agrees to do some recon work with Lo during his bridge tour while she is at the spa with the other women. The pair agree to regroup during lunch. Lo makes it clear to Ben that she needs to solve this crime, because she nearly was a victim of violent crime only days before.
By Ruth Ware