The next day, Meredith and Nina discuss the new developments in the fairy tale and make more connections between the story and real life. Meredith also tells Nina about the professor’s letter from Alaska. From their research, the sisters learn about the Great Purge in Leningrad when Stalin tried to eliminate any potential threat to his power. This makes them realize that the fairy tale is a story within a story.

After work, Meredith returns to Belye Nochi, as obsessed with the fairy tale as Nina. She continues going through Evan’s office. She then takes the professor’s letter and uses it to call the university to find him. Meredith learns that Vasily retired 12 years ago and reaches a dead end. Nina enters the room, and the sisters discuss the possibility of their mother being Vera from the story because of her connection to Leningrad. They also discuss having a sibling they don’t know about.

At dinner, Anya announces she’s too tired for storytelling tonight, so Meredith goes home, and Nina returns to the study to research. Through more research, Nina learns that Vera is real and that her name is on a file in the office.