Ann’s letter shifts David’s perspective, prompting him to begin fostering connections with others, though he carefully conceals his past from his new friends. He finds comfort in his new therapist, Dr. Ecrest, whom David believes possesses supernatural powers that allow him to anticipate David’s feelings and actions. Despite this, David struggles to hide his ongoing interactions with Ann from Dr. Ecrest, and when the therapist questions David’s self-imposed celibacy, David quickly shuts down the conversation.

David frequently visits his father, Arthur, ostensibly to spend time with him but also to secretly read the letters to Jade in Arthur’s office. During one of these visits, Arthur confesses that he is leaving Rose and takes David to the bar where he first met her. Arthur reveals that Rose was initially married to a wealthy man named Carl Courtney and that Arthur was her divorce attorney. Arthur admits he is in love with another woman, Barbara Sherwood, a widowed African American court stenographer with two teenage children. Arthur intends to move in with Barbara, who is currently hospitalized.

Arthur further confesses that David’s love for Jade inspired him to pursue love again, acknowledging that while he loved Rose dearly, she never returned his feelings.