Following her summer on Ischia, Elena throws herself into her studies and looks towards a future outside of the neighborhood. After a brilliant finals performance, Elena happens upon Lila, who is working at the shoe store and has grand plans for a fresh start. Lila decides to leave Stefano and moves into a modest apartment, but the failings of her plan soon emerge.

Elena pens her first novel, which she entrusts to her new fiancé, before returning to Naples, where she finds Lila in her new life as a factory worker.