Charlotte and Giada enjoy a winter outing for gelato, highlighting the ease and happiness Charlotte feels with Giada—her first true contentment in years. Their days fall into a steady rhythm: Giada models during the day, Charlotte feeds at night, and they spend the rest of their time together. For the first time since leaving Sabine, Charlotte feels happy and stops dreaming about Sabine.

When Charlotte kisses Giada under an awning, an old man interrupts with a hateful hiss and insults. Giada erupts in anger and tries to confront him, but Charlotte restrains her and urges her to leave. After sending Giada home despite Giada’s desire to watch, Charlotte returns to the square alone.

Later that night, Giada asks what happened. Charlotte privately recalls killing the man—an easy, joyless act that leaves her sad and hollow—but she does not share the details. The melancholy echoes her painful years in London, a feeling she never wants to relive.

In bed, Giada declares that she wants to be like Charlotte. She frames it as a response to a hostile world and a desire not to be afraid, and also as a wish to remain young, strong, and alive together. Charlotte, remembering Sabine and fearing how Giada’s fierce passion could turn to rot, refuses, calling their condition a curse of night and hunger.

Giada argues, dismissing “curse” and praising immortality. She insists she loves Charlotte and does not want their time to end. Torn by love, grief, and guilt, Charlotte cups Giada’s face and tells her she loves her while silently urging, “Let it go.” Charlotte exerts her mental influence—less coercive than Sabine’s—and guides Giada away from the desire.

Giada relents with theatrical resignation, joking that she will age and become unwanted. Charlotte, greatly relieved, promises she will always want Giada. The chapter ends with Charlotte kissing away Giada’s doubts, clinging to the vow of “always.”