Monife returns from a run with Sango resolved to discard Mama G’s juju and be honest with Kalu, whom she finds waiting at her gate. After asking about his uncle’s funeral, she embraces him, but he complains about her smell. When Sango nudges her handbag, Kalu retrieves it, spilling its contents. As he gathers the items, he picks up the juju pad bearing his name in black capitals and asks what it is. She tells him it’s nothing, then admits she made a mistake but didn’t follow through. Kalu expresses disgust, accusing her of selfishness and insecurity. Monife apologizes, explaining she feared losing him and reminds him he’s seeing another woman. He wonders if “Maybe what [his] mum says is true. Maybe [Monife’s] not…not right for [him]” (251).

Afoke, a descendant of the cursed Feranmi, is terrified of the family curse. Her sisters consider her “unhinged,” diminishing her marriage prospects. At 25, with older sisters labeled “spinsters” (252), Afoke fears the same fate. To escape, she seduces her younger sister, Sayo’s, boyfriend while Sayo is at the market. When she announces her pregnancy, he’s compelled to marry her. After the wedding, Afoke feels aimless.