La signora Nubila confessa di aver assistito Lara durante il parto e di aver fatto nascere lei stessa la bambina. Quando Lara decide di tenere con sé la figlia appena nata, Cristina la strangola e abbandona la neonata.

With the lights dimmed, the conservatory orchestra gives a moving performance of the famous piece known as Adagio di Albinoni. As they play, Marioni listens, and his emotions take him back in time to relive his daughter's bicycle accident and aftermath.

Faced with evidence, Mrs. Nubila has no choice but to confess her involvement in Lara's pregnancy, and how she and her husband took advantage of the girl.