Summary

Chapter 7 opens with Catherine awaking in the middle of the night from what she describes as a speck of dust landing on her pillow. She still cannot sleep and wonders what would happen if she were to wake up Robert and tell him the truth about the incident with Nicholas. She recounts the aftermath of the incident 20 years prior: She was extremely distraught and Robert did not now what was wrong. He guessed she was depressed because she wanted to go back to work rather than stay at home taking care of Nicholas. Catherine saw this as a way out and told Robert he was right. She then spent a weekend away from her family to recoup, telling Robert she was helping a friend who was having a breakdown.

She feels taunted by the book's presence in her room, so Catherine moves it...