The narrative resumes in 1631. After the plague, the Rosso family slowly reorients in its new form. A chief concern is the fact that the infant Raffaele (Nicoletta and Marco’s second son), needs to be cared for. They hire a woman named Monica, the daughter of a fisherman, to be Raffaele’s wet nurse. Monica moves into the Rosso house along with her young daughter, Rosella, and marries Marco a short time later. Monica also arranges for one of her cousins, Isabella, to move in to help with the domestic work. Isabella eventually marries Giacomo (Orsola’s brother). Orsola explains her bead making business to Monica and is surprised that Monica immediately asks Orsola to teach Rosella to make beads as well. Marcellin and Stella return and gradually reintegrate into the family.

The presence of new sisters-in-law gives Orsola some freedom. She begins to slip away to spend time with Antonio, and the two of them begin a sexual relationship. Orsola unintentionally gets pregnant but loses the pregnancy. Orsola and Antonio hope to marry but hide their relationship for the time being, especially because the relationship between Marco and Antonio has become strained.