Sydney eats candy and wears an X-Files onesie while she thinks about Clem’s anger and allegedly “breaking” Oliver’s heart. Lorna interrupts. She thanks Sydney for shoveling her driveway and gives her photos that Edgar took of the neighborhood children. One photo shows Oliver kissing Sydney’s cheek while Sydney holds her teddy bear. Sydney remembers telling Oliver that he could share his frightening secret with her teddy bear.

Oliver arrives, and Sydney shares the pictures with him. Another photo is of them playing Capture the Flag—it’s dated July 2, 1998. Oliver claims “something happened” on that day, but he can’t remember what. Sydney suggests that Oliver see a hypnotherapist.

Sydney and Oliver discuss Tabitha. Oliver says they didn’t have sex; he only wants Sydney. He wonders why Sydney has had sex with a “fair amount” of other men but not him. He declares that he can learn to “satisfy” her, and his aggressiveness unnerves Sydney. As Oliver tries to kiss her, Sydney moves away, and Oliver crashes into a side table. Oliver admits he’s trying to act like the men in the dark romance novels, but Sydney explains she doesn’t want that. Sydney admits she remains significantly hurt by Oliver’s abduction.

Oliver visits a hypnotherapist, Dr. Malloy. He explains his abduction to her and she instructs him to concentrate on her finger. His memories center on July 2, 1998: Clem wanted to be on Sydney’s team for Capture the Flag; Travis and Mr. Neville drank beer; Lorna and Oliver’s mother laughed together; and Edgar took pictures. He also remembers crying in the kitchen and telling Sydney’s teddy bear that the Faceless Man saw him.

Oliver abruptly leaves the hypnotherapist. He goes home and reviews his comic books for clues. He wonders if Bradford was stalking him. The police believe Bradford saw Oliver in the park, Oliver reminded Bradford of his deceased son, so Bradford impulsively kidnapped Oliver.

Pivoting to Sydney, Oliver admits that he “nearly attacked” her. Gabe mentions Tabitha, but Oliver believes his “loyalty” lies with Sydney, so Gabe, who sees Tabitha as a “solid ten,” immediately starts pursuing Tabitha through a Facebook “friend” request.

Travis comes over for dinner. He compliments the food but shares Gabe’s belief that Sydney might “rattle” him. Travis offers Oliver money and a room at his home until he’s financially independent. Travis also suggests selling his comics.

At the Black Box, Sydney receives an apologetic text from Clem about how she reacted when she learned that Sydney left Poppy alone with Oliver. Oliver, Gabe, and Tabitha come to the bar, and Sydney makes him a drink as she remembers discussing wishes with Oliver on July 4. Brant realizes Sydney is in love with Oliver, so he covers the rest of her shift. Before she leaves, Oliver insists on a dance. They return to Oliver’s room, where they cuddle.

Gabe’s voice wakes Sydney and Oliver, and they discuss Oliver’s aggressive behavior. Sydney isn’t upset; she doesn’t want Oliver to change into someone else. They kiss. Sydney is “scared,” but Oliver wants to continue. He claims love doesn’t abide by “logic.” They have intense sex, and Sydney officially declares her love for him.

The next morning, Oliver is ecstatic that he had sex with Sydney. In the dining room, he meets Gabe and Tabitha. They stayed up talking, and they heard Oliver and Sydney. Oliver prepares breakfast and brings it to Sydney, who’s still asleep. She wakes up and after some sexual humor, they have sex again.

With Sydney napping, Oliver talks to Gabe about Tabitha. He’s “already crazy” for her. Gabe views himself as Sydney and Tabitha as a “chick version” of Oliver, who reminds Gabe that it’s not easy to break someone who has already confronted “the worst.”

The stepbrothers discuss Oliver moving in with Travis, and Sydney, now awake, overhears them and grows upset. Oliver claims he just wants to be a “better man,” but Sydney just wants him. Sydney leaves, and Oliver reunites with Athena. While he and Athena cuddle, Sydney texts Oliver, wondering why he didn’t tell her that he loved her.

Back at the hypnotherapist, Oliver remembers his first night in the cell and Bradford cursing himself. Oliver focuses on the word “lotus.” Using a penny, he carved his name into the stone wall, then he wrote “lotus.” The next memory is happier, involving Oliver and his mother planting cucumbers together.

Oliver tells Dr. Malloy that he’s through. He feels “peace” and doesn’t require further answers. Oliver believes “truth strength” lies in how a person fights, not only in overcoming adversity.

On Christmas Eve, Oliver and Sydney reconcile. Sydney gives Oliver his Christmas present, which is a painting of a girl and a boy on a grassy hill watching fireworks. There’s a lotus, a cat (Alexis), and a raccoon (Athena). In Sydney’s studio, they get paint on each other before having sex. After, he shows her The Lotus Chronicles, which features a picture of the Faceless Man molesting a little girl. Sydney connects the abused girl to Clem.