Fausto’s final message to his mother, Lucia, is filled with small, sentimental requests—keep his old ashtray, pass down meaningful objects to his sons, and sing them the lullaby she once sang to him. But Lucia isn’t convinced she’s the right person to raise them.
Flashing back to 2012, we see Fausto and Sarah announcing their pregnancy to Lucia, who is more concerned about the financial perks of a wedding than the joy of becoming a grandmother. Her relationship with her sons is complicated, Valerio resents her boyfriend, Pasquale, and she has a strained dynamic with Fausto. In the present, Lucia voices her doubts about taking in the boys, suggesting Sarah should have custody. But that’s not an option, the court has deemed Sarah unfit.
At breakfast, Sarah calls, refusing to speak Italian so Lucia and Valerio can’t understand. When Valerio secretly translates the conversation, it’s clear Sarah is manipulating the boys against their family, calling Lucia ignorant and selfish. This only deepens Lucia’s insecurities about raising them.
Another flashback shows Lucia attempting to bond with Sarah on her wedding day, gifting her a gold earring and wishing her happiness. But tensions rise when Fausto accuses Lucia of being a terrible mother. Meanwhile, Mari, heartbroken over Fausto’s wedding, admits her feelings to Demetrio, who decides not to confess his love for her.
In the present, Lucia prepares to leave, overwhelmed by her fears. But a moment with Ercole, where he asks her to sing the lullaby from Fausto’s childhood, shifts something in her. Moved by his trust, she decides to stay. The episode ends with Libero secretly calling Sarah, who promises she’ll come for him soon.
This episode dives deep into Lucia’s internal conflict—her guilt over past mistakes and her fear of failing again. She wasn’t the best mother to Fausto, and that weighs heavily on her as she hesitates to raise his children. But her journey in this episode is one of slow acceptance, culminating in her decision to stay.
Sarah’s instability becomes more apparent, and the fact that Fausto didn’t see it, or ignored it, adds a layer of tragedy. Her manipulation of Libero is unsettling, hinting at future conflicts. Meanwhile, Mari and Demetrio’s complex feelings about Fausto continue to unfold, adding emotional depth to the story.
With Lucia’s reluctant commitment and Sarah’s looming presence, the family’s struggle is just beginning.
