Giuseppe would like to spend more time with Elena, but at the moment there is too much to do at the hospital. A woman brings a baby to the door of a church to leave it, but she is suddenly taken ill and falls to the ground.

Cloe really does not want to stay in the hospital and Giuseppe finds a solution, but not everyone is thrilled about it.

Elena tries to convince her father that Giuseppe will change after they get married. He remains very skeptical. Giuseppe is spoon-feeding Cloe to give her some nourishment, meanwhile telling her how he decided to become a doctor.

Giuseppe goes to see Giorgio in his fancy doctor's office, hoping to convince him to see Cloe. It's clear Giorgio has chosen the career path of least resistance, and seems more interested in fine art and fine cigars, than in treating patients who need it.

Suor Helga is good at reading Giuseppe Moscati's moods and senses something is wrong. Giuseppe knows Elena is suffering on his account but at the same time, he can't help being dedicated to his patients over everything else. He writes Elena a letter and takes it to her house.

Nina goes back home to get some of her things and finds Cloe. She doesn't hide her resentment, but the two women end up having a conversation. Elena is clearly stufa (fed up) with Giuseppe never having time for her and she takes action.

Giuseppe, Cloe, and Nina have a relaxing moment together at home, but then a letter arrives for Giuseppe that challenges the lighthearted atmosphere they had created.

As he had promised Cloe, Giuseppe continues to look for her little boy, with little success. Some children he treats aren't really ill, they're just not getting enough to eat. Italy enters the war. Some doctors go to the front, others stay behind.

In the piazza, Giuseppe discusses the war with some colleagues. He then runs into an old acquaintance. Later, in the lab, he talks about science and faith with his professor friend.

Giuseppe's colleagues want to get Giuseppe away from the hospital because he makes too much "trouble." Giorgio has a suggestion for that.

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.

Elena seems charmed by the orphans and Giuseppe explains to her that love has many pathways. At home, it becomes clear that Nina and Giuseppe have grave financial difficulties. He won't give up seeing patients, but comes up with an idea.

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

Giuseppe goes to see Giorgio to see if he has the power to save the hospital from the new "reforms," but Giorgio has other priorities and rebuffs him.

Giuseppe's health is failing, but he won't accept Arcangelo and Nina's advice to get some rest. He seems to be well aware of his true condition and writes a letter to his loved ones. Elena brings Antonio home.