At the start of the novel, Mark and Lynn invite Sandra over to their house for dinner. The cracks in their relationship show over the course of the meal.

A few weeks down the road, Mark happens to meet Thomas and Albert at Tamm's restaurant. As they discuss relationships, Thomas reveals that Bartley made unwanted advances on Sandra during their date. Mark displays anger and disgust at Bartley's actions. When his wife calls him and accuses him of not replying to her text despite having read it, he leaves the restaurant in a tiff.

After a certain incident (spoilers!), Mark picks up his son, Ray from school. He notes his son's bad mood and tries to find out why. When his son refuses to open up, Mark gets irritated as he nags his son. Ray clams up more as he rants. His wife, Lynn, calls him to relay bad news about canceling their impending date night due to her extra night shift. Frustration upon frustration makes Mark burst into an argument with Lynn.

Some time later, Sandra pays a visit to Mark and Lynn's home but only finds Mark home. Lynn and Ray are away at a competition. Already drunk because he wanted to forget his wife's canceled date with him, he invites Sandra to drink with him. One thing leads to another and they end up confessing their old feelings for each other, leading to them sleeping together.

Mark is found dead the same night. He was found at the bottom of the staircase and his death has been ruled as an accident due to the evidence.