At midnight, Jack leads Camille into his BDSM room, where he walks her through what they will do and how he wants her to behave. One of his main ground rules is that she remain silent. He explains that he will tie her up in intricate knots but that she shouldn’t feel pain. He wants her to be comfortable and inform him if she needs him to stop; they have to trust each other. First, Jack binds Camille’s wrists. She is surprised by how comfortable and relaxed she feels despite being unable to move. He manipulates her body with the ropes and thrusts himself against her. She isn’t uncomfortable but is unsure what this means to Jack. Then he thrusts her to the ground, stroking and praising her when she complies.

In the BDSM room, Jack chastises himself for going too far with Camille, whom he perceives as innocent. He fears overstepping but wonders if “corrupting” Camille might help him overcome his grief. Em was never into BDSM, so the practice has distracted him from her. He yanks Camille up from her feet and attaches her wrists to a hook above their heads. Frustrated about feeling so aroused, Jack presses his erection into her while telling her about his desire to show her off at the club. Then he abruptly pulls away, suddenly remembering she is his employee.

After Jack unties Camille and demands she leave, Camille races downstairs to her room. Still aroused, she masturbates to thoughts of Jack in her room. Then, she writes him a letter, begging him to show her more.

In the morning, Camille tries to act normal around Jack while making breakfast. He is still cold toward Bea but at least stays with them for coffee.

Throughout the day, Camille replays the events of the night prior, trying to reconcile the different sides of Jack she’s seen. Then she finds another letter in her room. Jack admits his fears about continuing their lessons but agrees to do so as long as she keeps their sessions secret, they only meet for an hour a night, and they don’t have sex.

The next day, Bea tells Camille more about wanting to become a dancer. She reveals that Em used to dance and that Jack hasn’t let her dance since Em died. Feeling sad for Bea later, Camille studies the photo of Jack and Em and vows to do right by Em’s memory.

Jack and Julian meet at the club to discuss the business, which has not profited this last quarter. Julian only cares about filling the space, but Jack cares about the club’s image. Phoenix and Elizabeth join the conversation, everyone accusing everyone else of being responsible for the club’s failures. Unsure what to do, Jack wonders if he should quit and return to California sooner rather than later.

Afterward, Jack and Phoenix have a private conversation about the business. They toss out ideas for how to elevate the club’s brand and image. Jack suggests that they could let Julian’s recklessness drive the club under; then, they could reopen it afterward.

Camille and Jack have another midnight session. Camille feels calm as Jack ties new, intricate knots around her legs. Jack seems calm and focused, too. Meanwhile, Camille wonders about his interest in BDSM and his relationship with his late wife. When he finishes, Jack remarks on her beauty and reiterates his desire to bring her to the club. He photographs her with her consent. Camille is disappointed that he still won’t have sex with her and silently weighs the pros and cons of their agreement.

Jack takes care of Camille in the kitchen after their session, ensuring that she hasn’t sustained any injuries and is hydrated. He marvels at how beautiful and different she is before saying goodnight. In bed afterward, he waits for Camille to deliver another letter. When she doesn’t show up, he sneaks into her room and finds her asleep with an unfinished letter beside her. The letter details how she felt during bondage and alludes to her father’s death and her desire to sleep with Jack; she also mentions her plans to rewrite this letter. Jack takes the note back to his room, where he masturbates to the photos he took of Camille.

Camille wakes up to discover a new note from Jack and is shocked that he took her unfinished note. Downstairs afterward, Camille convenes with Bea and Jack. Bea invites Jack to join her and Camille on their trip to the Jardin du Luxembourg, and he agrees. The three spend the day together. Camille feels strange being out in public with Jack. She is surprised, too, when he holds onto her on the train.

Camille writes another letter to Jack, expressing how much she likes their sessions and enjoyed their day in the park. That night, she joins Jack for another session. She enjoys herself but feels frustrated when Jack makes a new rule: She cannot touch herself after their sessions anymore. Camille retreats to her room swearing in French but resists masturbating.

The next day, Camille takes Bea over to see Elizabeth. Camille expresses her desire for Bea to take dance lessons. Elizabeth explains that Em was her dance instructor; she came “to Paris for a ballet program” and stayed with Jack (165), who was already living there. Jack fell in love with Em after meeting her through Elizabeth; within the year, they got married and had Bea. However, Em was diagnosed with cancer around the time of Bea’s birth. She died when Bea was three. Jack doesn’t like anything that reminds him of Em, which is why he’s forbidden her to study dance and speak French. Even still, Elizabeth agrees to teach Bea. Later that day, Camille and Jack make plans to go to Legacy together.

At the club that night, Jack leads Camille into the BDSM room, where he ties her up and pleasures her in front of a crowd. She is initially nervous, but Jack checks in with and reassures her. Afterward, Jack takes care of Camille while they talk about the club. He explains its history and uncertain future. Camille warns him against sabotaging the club out of spite.

When a fight breaks out in the club, Jack yanks Camille backstage and demands she stay put. Then, he shuts down the club. An argument about the incident ensues between him, Julian, and Elizabeth. Jack asserts that Julian’s habit of overfilling the club is what caused the problem. Afterward, Jack finds Camille waiting backstage. She volunteers to help Jack clean up, but he insists she head home.

After Jack and Julian clean up, they run into an incensed Matis in the empty club. He demands that they work out their problems lest they let their petty competition sabotage the business.