After vanishing for three days, Lionel returns wrecked and begs his wife Vera to forgive him, claiming he sent Layla away and pleading, "Don't divorce me." Vera refuses, blaming him for losing her baby and being left barren. Reluctantly she attends a friend's gathering; there a struggle erupts—someone cries, "Lionel, let me go!"—and guests hurl insults about a fake report and the child. Cornered, Lionel admits he lied: he gave up Layla's child for Vera and reveals Layla once saved him on Wolf Mountain. Vera is stunned and must decide whether to believe him.