Chloe and Nicky decide to frame Bill Braddock, a villainous character involved in a human trafficking ring, by planting the murder weapon and evidence in his office. This leads to Braddock's arrest. They also use Chloe's magazine to expose misconduct by the detective who mishandled Ethan's case, resulting in her removal from the investigation.

Nicky is actually Ethan's biological mother and Chloe's estranged sister. Adam, who was married to Nicky first, had custody of Ethan after an incident involving Nicky's substance abuse was blamed for nearly drowning Ethan. Chloe raised Ethan as her own son with Adam, and the truth about Ethan's parentage was kept secret in their high-profile New York life.

Adam is found stabbed to death in the living room of their Hamptons home. Initially, suspicion falls on Ethan, whose DNA is found under Adam's fingernails. Later, it is revealed that Adam was abusing both Chloe and Nicky, and Nicky kills Adam in self-defense during a confrontation after traveling from Ohio to confront him.

It is revealed that Adam was physically abusive towards both Chloe and Nicky. He also framed Nicky for the pool accident that nearly killed Ethan by drugging her drink to make it look like her fault. Chloe had believed Nicky was to blame due to childhood trauma and withheld information, but later learns the truth.

Ethan's trial for Adam's murder is a climactic moment where the abuse Adam inflicted on Chloe is publicly revealed for the first time when Chloe takes the stand. Ethan's knowledge of the abuse leads him to reconnect with Nicky for help. The trial sets the stage for the reveal of Adam's true killer and the fallout from that revelation.