ellen sneaks out of the house and goes to the lake house, where she stages her "accidental" fall, causing her to lose the baby. richard, who has begun spending more time with ruth, admits to her that he thinks ellen losing the baby was for the best, and that he plans on leaving her because he does not love her anymore, and was only staying with her because of the baby. ellen makes the connection that richard is involved with ruth when she sees the cover of his new book, with ruth's art. richard tells her they need some time apart and that he is going to new york for a few days. beside herself, ellen begins plotting revenge.