The seventh episode of "Happy Face" kicks off with Melissa and Ben confronting Hazel about her secret communications with Keith. With tension in the air, they hastily pack up their children and embark on a journey to Oregon. Upon arrival, Melissa and Greg arrange for the kids to stay in a hotel room, accompanied by Melissa's mother, June, while they proceed to the prison. It transpires that Ben was adamant about confronting Keith in person, demanding he steer clear of Hazel.
Elsewhere, at work, the episode featuring Elijah starts to take shape. Ivy attempts to persuade Greg to focus on more impactful stories, like Elijah's, but he dismisses her idea with a wave of his hand.
Back at the hotel, June discovers Hazel's contact with Keith and makes her disapproval plain and clear, stating emphatically that she doesn't condone either Melissa or Hazel's involvement with him.
At the prison, Melissa and Ben find themselves waiting in vain for Keith to appear. As they depart, Keith finally calls them. Ben, in an attempt to coerce him into staying away from Hazel, issues threats, only to incite Keith's rage. It's then that Ben realizes Keith won't be charged for the recent murder, igniting his fury. A heated argument erupts, culminating in Ben storming off in a fit of anger.
Melissa seeks out Hazel for a private chat, inquiring about their conversations. She recounts chilling tales to illustrate how Keith only seeks to manipulate others. However, June resorts to a similar tactic with Melissa, revealing that her cherished memory of looking at her father across the water in Chilliwack is a false narrative. In reality, Keith had set their cabin ablaze, forcing June to flee with baby Melissa, all while he watched them from afar, across the water, with a sinister gleam in his eye.
Deeply distressed, Melissa storms out, her heart heavy with turmoil. She seeks solace in Ash's presence, offering heartfelt apologies for her past judgments, including her fleeting belief in Keith's redeeming qualities. Observing her distraught state, Ash unravels his own tale of descent into chaos following his mother's demise. He gently reminds Melissa of her own escape, finding refuge in a seemingly perfect life with a kind husband and a cozy home, yet now, the shadows of her past are creeping back to haunt her.
Elsewhere, Ben finds refuge in a dimly lit bar, where Basset, a prison guard whose remarks about Melissa still linger, shares drinks with his cronies. Having overheard Basset's casual mention of meting out punishment to another inmate, Ben broaches the subject, inquiring if such a fate could befall Keith. Basset mocks the notion, but Chavez, another guard, steps in, hinting at the possibility of eliminating Keith if Ben so desires.
Later, Ash and Melissa retreat to a bar that holds cherished memories for Ash, a place he once frequented with his mother. As the night unfolds, they find solace in karaoke, their voices blending in harmony amidst the bustling crowd. Returning to their hotel room, Melissa seeks forgiveness from Ben, pledging to sever all ties with Keith. Ben, though wary, exacts a promise from her, which she readily grants.
However, dawn brings an unsettling development: a drawing depicting the Texas evidence handler, accompanied by the chilling word "gotcha," arrives via Keith. Panic-stricken, Melissa resolves to delve into the matter, sparking a heated altercation with a furious Ben.
Determined to uncover the truth, Melissa confronts Bob, the evidence handler. She threatens to expose him unless he confesses. Bob, caught off guard, admits that a woman posing as Heather's daughter had stolen the case box, citing a desire for her mother's necklace. The revelation stuns Melissa further, as Heather had no daughter, and this incident occurred weeks prior to her TV appearance.
Meanwhile, Ben stumbles upon unsettling drawings in Hazel's sketchbook, each one more eerie than the last. Stealing the book under the cover of night, he flips through its pages, coming across a depiction of Keith that sends a chill down his spine. Flashbacks flood his mind, recalling his first encounter with Keith, when the latter subtly threatened to take away the future Ben envisioned with Melissa and their unborn child.
Currently, Ben's anxiety has reached a crescendo, prompting him to send a text to Chavez, urging him to proceed with disciplining Keith. Towards the conclusion of Happy Face Episode 7, Melissa dials the number of a forensic scientist, her voice tinged with urgency as she inquires about the feasibility of transferring DNA from clothing that is three decades old onto a wrench. The scientist confirms the possibility, much to Melissa's relief.
Subsequently, Melissa convenes with Ivy, her expression grave as she conveys the stunning revelation: Neither Keith nor Elijah was responsible for Heather's demise. Instead, their hands are innocent of this crime; another perpetrator lurks in the shadows.
