This part covers Chapters 10-17.

Two weeks have passed since Jane moved into Eddie and Bea’s house. Eddie encourages Jane to use his credit card for anything she needs and to move out of her apartment officially. Jane returns to her apartment and informs John Rivers that she is moving. She leaves all her belongings behind. Upon exiting her old apartment, Jane spots Eddie, who followed her to the apartment. He becomes aggressive when confronting John Rivers. This uncharacteristic behavior makes Jane uncomfortable.

Jane orchestrates a run-in with the gossiping women of the Thornfield Estates subdivision. She unveils herself as Eddie’s secret girlfriend with the hope of befriending them, and one of the women invites Jane into her home. There, Jane learns more about Bea and Blanche’s complicated relationship and offers to help the Neighborhood Beautification Committee.

As Jane begins her work on the Committee, Eddie is working long hours at his contracting business and at Bea’s company. One day, Jane runs into John, who informs her that someone has called the apartment looking for anyone who might know a woman named Helen Burns. John says that the description of Helen Burns matches Jane’s appearance. Terrified of John potentially exposing her connection to the mysterious Helen Burns, Jane gives him all her savings and drives home.