Prokhor Zykov, returning from the front, informs Aksinya that Grigory is alive, but has defected to the Reds. Before her death, Ilyinichna blesses Dunyasha for her wedding to Koshevoy. Grigory returns to the farmstead in the winter, but again not for long—Mishka threatens to arrest him. Melekhov leaves his father's house, only to return for Aksinya. But fate, this time forever, separates the two loving hearts.