Content Warning: This section of the novel contains descriptions of domestic violence.

The narrative shifts to 1990. Hương thinks back to her marriage to Vinh. She found a locked trunk in his closet a year into their marriage. The trunk disturbed her; she did not like to think that they had secrets from one another. Their marriage was not a happy one, and Vinh often took his anger out on Hương, becoming physically abusive. Hương suspected that she was pregnant and hoped that a child would finally make Vinh happy. 

Unable to find a key to unlock the trunk, Hương confronted Vinh about it, but Vinh denied knowing anything about a locked trunk. Hương insisted that they should not have secrets, which made Vinh angry. He began to throw all the contents of their living room at Hương, and she realized how “useless, how ephemeral love could be” (225).

In the present day, Ann calls Wes and asks if he wants to go on an adventure. Wes takes Ann out on his boat. Ann sketches banyan trees as they talk. She tells Wes that banyan trees were brought to America from India by Thomas Edison, and that it is now illegal to plant them because they are an invasive species.