Pasquale is a bit heavy-handed in his attempt to manage the collecting of money from the more well-to-do patients and Giuseppe has to step in. He and Nina sell off many of their possessions and Nina has a hard time of it. At the end of a long day, Giuseppe gets a surprise visit

Elena explains her health problem to Giuseppe and they also clarify some personal things. Giuseppe then takes her to a special place in the city.

Soon after the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York City, where Oriana happens to be living, she breaks her self-imposed silence and writes an article for the Milanese newspaper Corriere della Sera.