New balances are taking shape now that Lila is Mrs. Carracci. Profoundly resentful against her husband, the young woman finds new ways to carry on pairing off with Elena.

The wedding dress shop in the centre of town exhibits a blown up photo of Lila on her wedding day, generating admiration and gossip among many in and outside the neighbourhood..

Lila starts working in Stefano's new grocery store, but she hasn't stopped bearing a grudge against him, especially now that the business activities linked to his partnership with the Solaras are about to take off.

Elena agrees to taking a beach holiday with Lila, provided they go to Ischia. She knows Nino Sarratore will also be on the island.

Pinuccia leaves Ischia to go back to Rino and the group of five becomes of four. Elena simulates indifference, but there's now a rift between Lila and her, one that goes by the name of Nino.

After the summer in Ischia the relationship between Elena and Lila has become considerably colder. Elena plunges headfirst into studying for her finals, whilst Lila is having to tackle problems of an entirely different nature.

University life in Pisa has deeply changed Elena. Back in Naples for the Easter holidays, she discovers that just as many changes have affected the neighbourhood, and with it Lila's life. Her friend is now totally absorbed by her role of mother.

Close to graduating, Elena is seized by a creative impulse that gives birth to her first novel. She gives the manuscript as a gift to Pietro Airota, her new fiancé, just before returning to Naples, where she finds Lila working in a factory in San Giovanni a Teduccio.