Summary

In Chapter 43, Lila awakens from a calming sleep with all of her calamity once again in the front of her mind. At the factory, she circulates the list of grievances, realizing that Nadia and Armando and Capone are correct; simply forcing the list onto Soccavo is a weak effort with no backing. Lila argues with herself, even blames herself for being unable to take things as they are. At the end of the internal monologue, Bruno summons her to his office, where she finds Michele Solara.

In Chapter 44, Michele once again enters Lila’s life. He is clean, and rich, and speaks with calm that overlays simmering anger. He criticizes her for running away from "their" shoe shop, from "their" life. He catches her up on the people of the neighborhood—Stefano and Rino are basically ruined financially. Michele blames everyone’s ruin...