A surprising side effect of keeping this diary is improved communication. Most relationship fights happen because both partners are reading each other's minds and catastrohizing.

With Elena unemployed and depressed, she becomes clingy, leaning on Maya harder than ever. Maya feels trapped again. The "good girl" instinct wants to help, but the "diary brain" wants her gone. Simon returns to work early, bitter and vindictive. He targets Maya for a harsh performance review. Maya writes a new entry, fueled by wine and rage: “I hate them. I hate how they drain me. I wish they would just disappear. I wish they were gone forever.”