Summary

XXIII (174-181) — Lily fast-forwards to nine months after Eva’s departure. Bea worked as a nurse, and Lily and her had spent lots of time together. They became better friends and discussed the messy situation between Eva, Jerome and Heloise. Jerome had been awarded a travelling scholarship for his paintings, which he was receiving national notoriety for.

One day, Bea invited Lily to accompany her to visit Ugo and Maria’s new home and baby. They lived in a run-down area, and their house resembled a shack. Lily notes that “there was no romance here, only the struggle to survive” (177). Inside, there were in-progress paintings placed on easels, but Maria said she struggled to make time to paint. Ugo was working long night shift hours and they were barely making enough money; they could not even afford painting materials...