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In this poignant chapter, Stephen, a brilliant, charismatic, and triumphant man, relishes over 22 years of a fairy-tale existence with his devoted wife and their five children. Their first two sons have become vital contributors to Stephen's thriving agricultural business, symbolizing their unity and shared aspirations.

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However, a bittersweet event looms on the horizon as Marina, at 39 years old, prepares to give birth to their sixth child. Demosthene, the firstborn son, grapples with embarrassment, feeling self-conscious about his "older" mother having another child.

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The narrative takes a heartbreaking turn during the delivery as it becomes immensely complex and takes Marina's life, plunging Stephen and their children into profound grief and despair. The loss leaves Stephen adrift, with a sense of purpose and direction slipping through his fingers.

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In an act of selflessness, Andrea steps forward to adopt the newborn boy so his wife can take care of him. Meanwhile, Demosthene and Benjamin, Stephen's older children, become involved in the resistance movement, joining the Partisans during the tumultuous WWII in defiance of the German occupation.

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This chapter's overarching message underscores the idea that our weaknesses have the power to turn life into a nightmare. It serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of relying on others for happiness and the subsequent risk of losing a sense of purpose and direction, ultimately leading to emptiness and loneliness as one drifts, propelled by the inertia of life's currents.