As the second chapter of "The Ex-Wife" unfolds, Jack (played by Tom Mison) frantically chases after Tasha (Celine Buckens), desperate to set the record straight. He finally catches up with her and insists that the situation is not what she imagines. Returning to their home, Tasha thanks the nanny for looking after Emily in her absence and then turns her attention to Jack, inquiring about the woman he's been seeing and if they're intimate. Jack swiftly denies it, reminding her of how she tracked him tonight. Tasha clarifies she didn't physically follow him but used a phone tracker app.
Seated together, Jack concedes that spending so much time with someone cannot leave one indifferent. Tasha urges him to confront the woman, which he did, but he believes one phone call after two decades was insufficient. He laments that there's no way to prove his commitment to her over Jen unless he severs all ties with her. Jack admits he needed to see Jen again, putting Tasha in an untenable position. She refuses to countenance date nights with his ex-wife. Jack defends it as just dinner, necessitated by Jen's new contract and her need for company. He stresses he's handling the situation delicately.
The argument escalates, with Jack asking if she wants him to abandon Jen altogether. Tasha replies that she wants nothing from him, stating she'll do as she pleases and he should do the same. Enraged, Jack grabs Tasha when she mentions taking Emily away from their tumultuous life, immediately apologizing for his overreaction. He quickly tries to mend fences. When she declares "no more Jen," he agrees. He also vows to talk to his family to ensure they treat her better. Tasha confesses she feels trapped in the house, missing her life and job. Jack proposes she starts a nursery three days a week to reclaim some personal space. He emphasizes he cannot lose her.
Later, Tasha spends time with Sam (Jordan Stephens), admitting she trusts Jack. Sam cautions that they have no way of knowing what transpired between Jack and Jen. He confesses his distrust of Jack but acknowledges Tasha didn't catch him in any wrongdoing. They discuss her portfolio, and Sam reassures her he's there for her whenever needed, mindful of their year-long silence after his last critique of Jack. He asks to use the bathroom but sneaks into the office instead, snapping photos of Emily's birth certificate.
Hayley (Clare Foster) later visits with flowers, and Tasha reluctantly invites her in. After putting Emily to bed, Hayley reveals Jack lambasted everyone, leaving no one unscathed.
Hayley concedes that Jack's unprecedented actions speak volumes of his profound love for Tasha. As they delve into the challenges of the first year with a newborn, Hayley remarks on Emily's striking resemblance to Jack, unaware of the heavy burden Tasha had carried until Jack revealed her lack of support system. Hayley extends an apology for her past behavior, vowing to stand by Tasha's side from now on. She admits to being mistaken about Tasha, who, contrary to her expectations, cares deeply about others' perceptions and is surprisingly fragile.
Tasha inquiries about Jen's wellbeing, prompting Hayley to reiterate Jack's adoration for her and his relentless pursuit of her happiness. The mention of Jen being abruptly left in the dark adds a layer of concern to Hayley's thoughts, doubting her wellbeing.
While on a routine outing, Tasha receives messages—one from Sam requesting a talk, and another from Jack, apologizing for the recent turmoil. Jack confesses that while Jen needed him, his heart leaned more towards Tasha. Tasha visits Jen, feeling uncertain of her actions despite projecting a nonchalant Gen Z demeanor that she is not. She anticipates Jen's hatred for "stealing" her husband, but Jen, though bitter about the past, acknowledges Jack's need for a fresh start that Tasha provided. Jen shares that she wouldn't have acted differently in similar circumstances.
As Emily's cries pierce the air, Jen soothes her while guiding Tasha to fetch food. She reveals Jack's occasional visits with Emily, highlighting their continued bond. Meanwhile, Sam reaches out to Tasha, sharing his encounter at Jack's place, where Jack's subtle rejection was evident. Sam's suspicion that Jack might have spotted him follows, fueling Tasha's anxiety.
Jen interrupts to return an item Tasha had lost earlier. At the indoor playground, Jack informs Tasha of an upcoming trip to New York, hesitant yet resigned. A call from Johnny interrupts their moment, and Tasha, amidst playing with Emily, thinks she spots Jen watching from above. She entrusts another parent with Emily and searches for Jen, but returns to find her daughter missing. Jack joins the frantic search and confronts Tasha upon discovering her solo departure. When Emily is found, Tasha is reprimanded for leaving her unattended. Jack learns of her misplaced suspicion and Tasha apologizes again, acknowledging Jen's absence.
Elsewhere, Sam sits with Emily's hairbrush while Jen browses through pregnant photos with Jack. With a resolve to uncover the truth, Sam prepares to send the hairbrush for a paternity test, setting the stage for future revelations.
At home, Tasha recounts to Jack, with a hint of disbelief, the tale Jen inadvertently shared about Jack leaving toddler food at her place. She brands the incident as bizarre, while Jack confesses his ignorance, unsure how Jen, unlike the expressive Tasha, conveys her emotions. Tasha jokes that they are the wise, seasoned ones, with her playing the role of the carefree adventurer who's been a grown-up since financing her education at 16. She supported her mother till her demise and thereafter stood on her own two feet. Believing Jack would've deserted his wife had she not been present, Tasha's assertion irks Jack, who considers it unjust. Fed up and believing their status quo to be unchangeable, Tasha declares her intent to leave, fearing she might vanish if she stays. Their relationship swiftly deteriorates into silence as Tasha拒绝 to engage with him. Enraged, Jack hurls her suitcase, shattering the window.
In a sudden turn, Jack seizes her, pulling her into a kiss. Affirming her as his wife and reassuring her of his solitude, they find solace in each other's arms. Post-coital, Jack confides in Tasha about encountering Sam both at the house and at work, his suspicions piqued by the odd encounter. Though uneasy about Sam, he urges Tasha not to stir trouble on his behalf. As dawn breaks, Tasha professes her love to Jack, who's already packed for his impending trip. He offers her three days of relaxation, creativity, and job-hunting, thanking her for transforming his life.
Left alone, Tasha peruses her emails, receiving a message from Sam requesting her call. Johnny's call inquiring about Jack, oblivious to his business trip, interrupts her thoughts. After hanging up, she dials an unfamiliar number and attempts to track Jack's phone, only to discover it's offline. Stepping out, she texts Jack to call once landed. Her call with Sam, brimming with optimism about his upcoming interview, is interspersed with queries about Emily, as Tasha awaits her daughter's pick-up from nursery. Panic sets in when she learns Emily has been picked up by her mother—a revelation met with urgency as she demands a description of the woman. Unbeknownst to Tasha, Jen strolls along with Emily.
