Tess reveals to her mother that she is pregnant and that she and Ken plan to marry next week, despite years of delays and broken promises. Feeling betrayed, Tess struggles to understand why Ken is rushing the wedding after seven years together. Meanwhile, a woman close to Ken harshly belittles Tess, calling her a lowly street vendor unworthy of Ken’s rising status and alliance with Judith, the daughter of a powerful man. This woman offers Tess 10,000 as compensation for her years with Ken, urging her to leave and accept the social gap between them. Tess is left shaken, forced to decide her next move amid this cold dismissal.