At a confrontation Kay is accused of lying about parentage — Elian lashes out while the crowd berates her and she insists she didn't lie. Hurt in the scuffle, someone escorts her to change bandages and she attempts an early hospital discharge; staff threaten to report her condition as critical and bar visitors. Meanwhile Mr. Bruce's forty‑eight billboards for Ms. Bell's birthday spark gossip. In private Ms. Bell is asked, 'When you said you'd marry me, did you mean it?' She answers, 'If it's you, always,' agrees to marry in a week and begins packing, leaving her immediate departure unresolved.