Chapter 10: Letting Go—Cosima Sells the Palazzo
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After Bill Johnson’s death, Sally Johnson backs out of the palazzo sale, leaving Cosima without the funds to repair the fire damage. Cosima spends a weekend sorting the damaged belongings, sending salvageable items to storage or to Sally. She plans to board up the historic house. Meanwhile, Luca and Max are sentenced to prison; Luca cuts off contact with his sisters, and Cosima finally gives up on him. Olivier visits Max monthly, and Allegra grows closer to Basile. Cosima’s realtor brings an unexpected offer from a Qatari buyer willing to pay the full price in cash, thirty-day closing, “as is.” After consulting Allegra and obtaining Luca’s consent, Cosima decides to sell the family palazzo, embracing the future despite her attachment to the past.
Key Events
- Sally Johnson cancels the purchase of the palazzo after her husband’s death, leaving Cosima with no insurance money or repair budget.
- Cosima spends three days in Venice sorting the fire- and water-damaged contents, identifying items to ship to Sally, store, or discard.
- She decides to take the palazzo off the market, planning to board it up for winter.
- Luca and Max are sentenced to prison; Luca sends a scathing letter to lawyer Gian Battista, threatens Max, and gives Cosima “total silence.”
- Cosima writes a compassionate letter to Luca, which he never answers. She eventually accepts that she cannot save him.
- Olivier visits Max in prison and brings Cosima dinner in Venice after her work at the palazzo.
- Allegra returns from Paris “with stars in her eyes” after spending time with Basile, confirming she is in love.
- Cosima admits to Allegra that she holds back from Olivier due to fear of getting hurt and unresolved feelings for Gian Battista.
- Realtor Francesca Viti presents an offer from a Qatari buyer who wants the palazzo at the original price, all cash, “as is.”
- After a sleepless night and a conversation with Allegra, Cosima agrees to sell, and Luca’s lawyer secures his approval by noon.
Character Development
Cosima de Stefanis – This chapter marks a major turning point for Cosima. She demonstrates practical resilience by manually clearing the palazzo herself, but also emotional growth by finally letting go of her brother Luca and of the family home. Her internal conflict about selling the palazzo reflects her struggle to release the past. She also confronts her romantic fears, acknowledging to Allegra that she keeps Olivier at arm’s length because of past hurt and lingering feelings for Gian Battista. The chapter ends with her making a decisive leap into the future.
Allegra de Stefanis – Allegra emerges as a more independent and insightful character. She encourages Cosima to sell the palazzo, arguing they need to “let go of the past and forge ahead.” Her romance with Basile deepens, and she boldly questions Cosima’s hesitancy with Olivier, showing she is more perceptive and emotionally mature than Cosima often credits her.
Olivier – Though seen briefly, Olivier continues to be a steady, supportive presence. He visits Max monthly, shows concern for Cosima, and respects her boundaries. His role as a connection between the two families (his son Basile and Allegra) highlights his patient approach to love.
Luca – Though absent (in prison), Luca’s behavior is defined by spite and refusal to accept responsibility. His “total silence” toward Cosima is a deliberate wound, and his scathing letter to Gian Battista confirms he is not ready to change. Cosima’s decision to give up on him is a painful but necessary step.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Letting go of the past – The entire chapter revolves around Cosima’s struggle to release what she cannot fix: the fire-damaged palazzo, her brother’s criminality, and her own emotional paralysis. Selling the palazzo symbolizes cutting the final tie to her family’s history.
Family duty vs. self-preservation – Cosima has always felt responsible for Luca, but she finally accepts that her duty to herself and her business outweighs the obligation to save a brother who refuses to change.
The palazzo as a physical and emotional ruin – The fire-damaged palazzo mirrors Cosima’s own heart: beautiful but broken, in need of restoration she cannot afford. Its sale represents hope that someone else can rebuild it, just as Cosima must rebuild her own life.
Risk and rebirth – The last line, “she had never made an easier deal,” contrasts with her earlier anxiety. Taking the leap—selling the house, allowing herself to consider Olivier—suggests that courage comes from letting go of control.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 10 is the emotional hinge of the novel. Cosima’s decision to sell the palazzo resolves the central conflict of the first half—how to save the family home after Luca’s destruction. It also sets up the second half: without the palazzo, Cosima is free to focus on her business, her sister, and possibly a relationship with Olivier. Her simultaneous release of Luca and acceptance of her own limitations mark her as a heroine ready for change. The chapter also deepens the parallel between the de Stefanis sisters and the father-son duo of Olivier and Basile, hinting at future romantic and familial bonds.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Cosima initially resist selling the palazzo to the Qatari buyer?
Cosima has made peace with keeping the house boarded up. She fears that selling it at the original price when it is badly damaged would be a poor financial deal, and she is emotionally attached to the family home. She also worries that a quick sale might be regretted later.
2. What does Allegra’s advice reveal about her character growth?
Allegra, who was previously less engaged in family business, shows newfound maturity by advocating to sell. She says they need to “let go of the past and forge ahead,” and she admits that having the money as a cushion would be beneficial. This shows she is thinking practically about the future rather than clinging to sentimental memories.
3. How does Cosima’s relationship with Gian Battista affect her current romance with Olivier?
Cosima admits she has never fully gotten over Gian Battista, hoping for three years that he would come back. This unresolved attachment makes her afraid to commit to Olivier, even though she knows Gian Battista insists they stay broken up. Her fear of being hurt again causes her to hold back.