Content Warning: The source text depicts domestic violence, pregnancy loss, rape, and death by suicide, which this section of the guide discusses.

The Prologue is an excerpt from a letter written after the novel’s main events, from an unidentified incarcerated person to the protagonist, Helen. The writer wonders what Helen’s life is like now that he’s in prison. He says he’s going to finally tell Helen the truth now.

Helen arrives at a prenatal class alone and feels awkward. Due to high blood pressure, her doctor has ordered early maternity leave. There’s a heat wave, which reminds Helen of a summer she spent at Cambridge with her now-husband, Daniel, her brother Rory, and Rory’s now-wife Serena, who is also pregnant. Daniel, Serena, and Rory were all supposed to attend the prenatal classes with Helen, but they all canceled. Daniel is too busy at work, and Serena claims she and Rory are going to a different prenatal class.

The teacher arrives and starts awkwardly talking about childbirth and breastfeeding. A woman comes in late, swearing loudly. She sits next to Helen, in the empty seat meant for Serena.