The seventh episode of Ripple commences with Finn contemplating the profound question of life's meaning, which she believes lies in connecting as human beings. The scene shifts to a heartwarming moment as a man at the hospital receives Brenda's gift of life.
Meanwhile, Walter lends a helping hand to Kris as she bravely navigates the transition into a new apartment, though her heart still aches from the recent downsizing. Her thoughts are also preoccupied with Nate, whom she hasn't seen since their encounter with Claire. Walter encourages her to remain strong and suggests visiting Lumi West for some respite.
At Aria's place, she wakes up early, brimming with anticipation for the new opportunities in her career. As she shares her excitement with John, an email from Carrie arrives, confirming her opening act for Brandy Carlo's winter tour. John's joy dims when he realizes she'll be away for two months, questioning her mental support on the road and worrying that he is doubting her.
At Lumi West, Ellis and Rebecca discuss their potential move to Montana, with Ellis hesitating about leaving New York due to Nate's illness. Meanwhile, at the basketball court, Walter's friend informs him that he has completed handling Brenda's estate and advises him to invest the money she left him.
Later, Aria apologizes to Kris for hurting her and they quickly mend their relationship. Aria expresses her concerns about the tour being overwhelming, but Kris encourages her to stay focused and not overthink it.
At Tara's house, her patience with Sylvie reaches its limit, but she refuses to admit that she doesn't like having Sylvie living with her. After the game, Walter has lunch at Lumi West and overhears Nate and Ellis discussing the bar's financial struggles. He offers to invest in the business, but Nate declines his offer.
As their conversation lingers, Nate suddenly collapses, and they rush him to the hospital with a sense of urgency. A text message alert goes out, and everyone scrambles to the hospital, their hearts racing. It turns out that Nate has a severe infection, and the next few hours will be crucial in his recovery journey. While they wait, Claire does her utmost to uplift Nate's spirits and tend to his every need.
Meanwhile, Walter serves as a calming and reliable presence, helping everyone maintain their faith during this trying time. Ellis decides that she must tell Rebecca the truth about her intentions – she's not leaving.
Back to Nate, his parents arrive, reproaching Claire for keeping them in the dark. But this time, Claire stands up for herself and sends them away to watch after Anna. She also refuses to let them interfere with Nate's recovery process.
In his feverish state, Nate's thoughts drift back to the first time he laid eyes on the Lumi West building. He fell in love with the place at first sight, but the financial burden kept him at bay. His parents, secretly, arranged for him to live there, though they didn't approve of Claire. According to his mother, Claire wasn't marriage material. As Nate slips in and out of consciousness, Claire remains by his side, encouraging him every step of the way.
Later, she confides in Kris about her struggles with Nate's condition. She has so many doubts about how to tell Anna the truth. She is uncertain about Nate's future, and her mind is filled with a myriad of concerns.
As Kris remains silent, her actions speak louder, allowing Claire to vent her emotions freely while providing her with a comforting supply of tissues. A fleeting glimpse back in time takes us to the airport, where Kris, Nate, and Claire were mere strangers until fate brought them together—Nate and Claire deciding to switch their flights, an encounter that forged their bond.
Kris's visits to Nate in the hospital are filled with her longing for him, though he lies delirious and disoriented. Outside, Walter, Tara, and Ellis venture out for food, their conversation veering into a debate about Ellis's decision to stay in New York, with Ellis turning the tide on Tara, questioning her indifference towards Sylvie.
As Nate regains consciousness in the hospital, he apologizes to Claire, taking full responsibility for their breakup. They finally receive the closure they both needed. Later, his mother tries to disparage Claire but is sent away by Nate's unwavering support.
In the evening, Ellis and Rebecca have the much-avoided conversation that leads to their mutual breakup. At Tara's home, Sylvie departs for her own place, admitting her struggles with adjustment but assuring us she's making progress.
Back at the hospital, Finn visits Nate, questioning his sadness and the essence of life. Nate shares his regrets about what he feels he could have accomplished. Finn counters that he has accomplished much and touched many hearts. According to her, life is about who you are and how you emotionally connect with others, not what you've done.
The next morning, Nate wakes up feeling stronger, and the doctor informs him of a spot opening up in the clinical trial. Nate and Ellis are overjoyed, as it seems Nate is headed to Houston as soon as he's stable enough.
At Aria's home, her mother shows up to offer her support before Aria embarks on her tour. She expresses pride in her daughter and apologizes for any past hurt.
Meanwhile, Kris feels grateful towards Walter for secretly fixing her fridge. At Lumi West, Ellis grieves the end of her relationship with Rebecca. At a different restaurant, the man who received Brenda's heart meets with his family—a poignant reminder of life's unpredictable intertwining.
The episode concludes with Angela breaking the heartbreaking news of Finn's passing to Nate. He sinks into denial, believing Finn had visited him the previous night. The crushing realization that Finn had passed a day earlier and that the spot he secured belonged to her sends him into a deep despair.
