The third episode of Ripple commences with a man seething in displeasure after receiving a parking ticket. As he brushes past another individual, he apologizes, his frustration evident in his words. In the background, Nate muses on cultivating a glass-half-full attitude towards life. The scene shifts to a young man purchasing a pretzel, only for it to be plucked away by a curious bird, its beak leaving behind a fleeting grin.
Elsewhere, Claire inquires about Nate's upcoming appointment with an air of concern. She offers to accompany him to his first chemotherapy session, but Nate gently declines, explaining that he doesn't require her presence. Their conversation soon turns contentious as they debate her recent business venture, which has resulted in the school's cheque bouncing. Nate feels a sense of betrayal and exhaustion, tired of the constant need to appear strong. Claire apologizes for adding to the financial stress.
Outside, Kris spots a $20 bill on the ground, stretching out her hand to grab it just as the wind whisks it away. Her bag spills its contents, and a man bends to assist her. Surprisingly, he is no ordinary passerby but one of her former artists. He is stunned to hear of her departure from Vesey Street and urges her to restart her label. Nate calls and extends an invitation to the bar, where Walter and Tara are enjoying their meals in good spirits. Walter passes along Sylvie's number, encouraging Tara to reach out. Overhearing Walter's complaints about his aches, Ellis recommends he consult Rebecca.
Meanwhile, John takes a day off to spend time with Aria, ignoring Desi's messages in the process. As they hang out, Aria reveals that her period is late, but her anxiety prevents her from taking a pregnancy test. The day progresses with Aria in high spirits, lost in thought about her music and the possibility of being pregnant. Distracted by her thoughts, she forgets her engagement ring in one of the public toilets, only to see the same twenty-dollar bill again as the wind plays a mischievous game.
Back at the bar, Nate poured his heart out to Lris about his tangled relationship and the looming cancer diagnosis, his words tumbling over in a panic attack. Kris, ever the steady presence, led him to the backroom where he lay on the ground, finding solace in the solidity beneath him. As she joined him, Kris opened up about her own strained bond with her father, and the idea of starting a record label sprouted like a seed in the quiet.
As night fell, their voices lulled them into a peaceful slumber, their conversation now a gentle lullaby. Kris offered to escort Nate to his first chemotherapy session, her steadfastness a comforting presence.
At the hospital, Finn's brother felt left out as his parents' attention was diverted by his sister's dinner requests. Meanwhile, at Walter's abode, Rebecca administered a soothing massage to ease his aches, while Walter confessed his yearning for Brenda, believing that the good times were but a distant memory. Ellis, however, challenged him to see things differently.
Meanwhile, Aria panicked over her missing ring, fearing it was an omen. John's reassuring words settled her nerves, and she rushed to meet with him, agreeing to be the first artist on the nascent record label.
In a private moment, Nate confided in Ellis about his condition and begged her to take over the bar for a while. She was stunned by the news but tried to be strong for him, her emotions churning beneath the surface.
At John's office, he summoned Desi with a heart heavy from trying to set boundaries. Desi felt wounded, blaming him for placing her in an awkward position. She revealed that John had been contemplating divorce from Aria, a revelation that shattered the delicate balance of their dynamic.
At Nate's place, Claire made an unexpected appearance, her news of their impending separation cutting through the air like a sharp knife. Millie sensed Claire's unrequited love for Nate and encouraged her not to give up. She presented Claire with a new diamond ring – the same one Aria had lost in the public restroom.
As Kris escorts Nate to his first chemotherapy session, they unexpectedly encounter Finn, who quickly befriends him. The meeting is disrupted by Claire's sudden appearance, who catches a glimpse of Nate and Kris's intimate moment. Hurt and disheartened, she hastily retreats before they spot her.
At Walter's residence, he reminisces about the day Brenda accidentally tripped over a bucket of coins he keeps at home, injuring her leg. Tara's reassuring call invites him to lunch the next day, offering a brief respite from his thoughts.
Later, on a stroll, Walter stumbles upon the twenty-dollar bill. He decides to exchange it for a new one, only to be offered coins by the cashier. In parallel, Desi returns the bracelet he had given her, and he hides the letter, ultimately entrusting it to Aria.
The episode concludes with Walter meticulously inserting coins into parking meters, determined to rid his home of all the coins. Meanwhile, Nate receives a stern call from his mother regarding the state of his marriage, adding to the already tumultuous day.
