ellen convinces richard to marry her, and they do so quickly. ellen soon shows her dark side by becoming manipulative and jealous. at their lake house, she causes a rift between richard and the long time caretaker by insinuating that he hit on her. she fires danny's long time caregiver. when margaret and ruth visit, richard talks to ruth about using her artwork for the cover of his upcoming book causing ellen to have a fit. ellen has been teaching danny how to do distance swimming to the buoys while she sits in a row boat. one day, danny complains of a cramp and ellen ignores his pleas for help. richard, inside working, hears danny's screams for help and rushes out onto the water in a speed boat. ellen pretends to try and help look for him as they both repeatedly dive in the water, but it is too late, and danny drowns.