Alla presentazione milanese del suo libro, Elena incontra inaspettatamente Nino che la difende da un giornalista particolarmente aggressivo. La futura suocera di Elena, Adele, resta molto colpita da Nino e lo invita a cenare con loro. Durante la cena, Elena realizza che l’infatuazione per Nino non l’ha mai abbandonata e matura seri dubbi sul fidanzato Pietro.

Pietro è a Napoli per conoscere i futuri suoceri. Elena è molto nervosa, ma il suo promesso sposo e la famiglia Greco vanno d’accordo. La madre si lamenta e cerca di farle cambiare idea sul rito civile. Lila manda a chiamare Elena. Ora lavora in una fabbrica di salumi. L’ambiente insalubre e gli estenuanti orari di lavoro l’hanno fatta ammalare. Chiede all’amica di prometterle di prendersi cura del figlio Gennaro qualora le succedesse qualcosa.

Concerned about Lila's worsening health, Elena seeks advice from her future mother-in-law Adele, who encourages her to write an expose on the Soccavo plant and the mounting unrest between rival unions. After several doctors' visits, Lila becomes determined to move back to the neighborhood despite being viewed as a pariah.

After a tense argument about plans for a family, Elena and Pietro marry in town hall, and later, are surprised with a reception organized by Adele. Though she had hoped to concentrate on her next book, Elena gives birth to a daughter and struggles to find time to write.

Following news of a murder in Naples, Pasquale and Nadia turn up unannounced at Elena's house in Florence, further fuelling discord with her husband. Meanwhile, Elena suspects all is not right with Lila when she's asked to take Gennaro on their summer beach trip.

On holiday, Elena grows increasingly exasperated with Gennaro and after receiving shocking news about her sister Elisa, she cuts the family trip short to travel back to Naples. Later, tensions mount at a dinner with the Solaras, and Pietro shares his unvarnished opinion of Lila with Elena.

Elena's marriage is more and more in crisis, Pietro is distant and she feels treated like a servant. One day, Nino Sarratore shows up at the Airota's door. He and Pietro become friends and say goodbye with the promise to meet again. Elena anxiously awaits their next meeting and finally resumes writing.