Chapter 7 delves deeply into the emotional aftermath of a tragic event, one that shatters what should have been a joyous occasion. The protagonist, reeling from the incident, reflects on the cold reception of the two police officers who took his statement. Their hurriedness and lack of concern for his emotional state further add to his frustration, and he begins to feel more like an item on a checklist than a person in mourning. After the officers leave, he is left with the jarring contrast of the once lively wedding celebration, now replaced with an empty, silent cottage. The festive atmosphere has vanished, and all that remains is the hollow ache of loss. Changing out of his tuxedo, he attempts to prepare for the long journey ahead, still feeling emotionally drained from the day. As he settles into a quieter routine, he stumbles upon a manila envelope containing ten one-hundred-dollar bills, a mysterious gift from Aidan. The bills, old and weathered, bring more questions than answers, fueling his frustration. Despite the seeming gesture of kindness, he wonders what Aidan’s intentions were and why he left such a cryptic gift.

Later, as he drives to Osprey Lodge, the tension is palpable, and the atmosphere remains heavy with the emotional residue of the earlier tragedy. Along the way, he encounters the officers, who seem embarrassed as they take leftover food from the reception, further highlighting the awkwardness of the situation. Upon arriving at the lodge, he finds Tammy and Maggie engaged in a conversation, only for it to abruptly stop when he enters. The once-celebratory mood has been replaced by the quiet weight of grief, and the protagonist struggles to make Maggie see the reality of her situation—without the marriage, she has no claim to anything, not even the prenup. The realization hits her hard, and she becomes resistant, refusing to leave the lodge to face the harsh truth. Concerned for her well-being, the protagonist becomes increasingly anxious, especially as Maggie’s ties to the Gardner family seem to hold her in a kind of emotional paralysis. As Maggie insists on staying to discuss matters with Errol, the protagonist realizes how deep her attachment runs, and he worries that her connection to the family might keep her trapped in a web of complicity and unresolved feelings. Despite his own emotional exhaustion, he is unable to ignore the growing need to protect his daughter, Abigail, and that urgency compels him to act.

His focus shifts quickly when he discovers that Abigail has gone missing, and his panic intensifies. Desperately searching for her, he eventually finds Abigail alone at the Globe, a spot where the final traces of the wedding’s chaos remain. There, Abigail is seen wearing a daisy crown, the symbol of innocence, yet her somber demeanor betrays the weight of the loss she has just endured. Sitting quietly together, the protagonist feels a mixture of sadness and protectiveness. He knows that, despite the overwhelming grief they both carry, this moment of shared silence provides a rare chance for connection. He reassures Abigail, offering her comfort by suggesting that leaving the site of their sorrow will help them heal. As the day turns to dusk, he encourages her to leave with him, promising that, in time, the pain will lessen. Abigail, though initially hesitant, eventually gives in to his words, and he carries her away from the remnants of the wedding. Their shared journey back to camp symbolizes not just physical movement but also emotional progress, as they navigate their grief together. The bond between father and daughter grows stronger in this moment, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the pain, and they begin to face the future, one step at a time.