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. Her husband finds her inadequate in all domestic roles—a poor cook, disengaged mother, and unenthusiastic lover. Instead of buying food with household money, she gambles recklessly. When her husband catches her stealing cash from his wallet, he sends her away. As she departs with her belongings, she imagines the curse watching through a window, waving at her.

For several days after the juju discovery, Kalu doesn’t return Monife’s calls. On Saturday, he finally appears and they go to her room, where she senses he’s come to end their relationship. Kalu tells her he loves her, but their relationship isn’t working. She asks if this is about the juju pad; he replies the issue extends beyond that—he never believed they had a real future. Monife accuses him of refusing to fight for their love, but he responds that he’s exhausted from constant fighting. She blames his mother. Tearfully, she asks if the breakup concerns Amara, the other woman. Kalu denies this and suggests they might become friends eventually. She rejects the offer and tells him to leave before she begs him to stay.

Eight months after their breakup, Monife learns through gossip that Kalu and Amara are engaged. She feels resigned, viewing herself as another Falodun woman broken-hearted by the curse. On January 8, 1996, Kalu’s wedding day, Monife wakes at six o’clock and imagines him preparing. At eight o’clock, she pictures the wedding parties traveling to church. She fingers the ankle chain and decides to keep it. At 10 o’clock, she envisions them being pronounced husband and wife. Ebun enters and mentions food downstairs. Monife says she isn’t hungry, having eaten nothing for three days. Ebun leaves after Monife insists she’s fine. At noon, Monife imagines Kalu and Amara at their reception, comparing them to famous couples like Barbie and Ken, Cinderella and Prince Charming. She accepts this as the end of a chapter.

Eniiyi uses her iPad to search for information about reincarnation. She reads online claims but remains skeptical. She has no memories of being Monife, only occasional déjà vu. Sango rests at her feet, and she remembers he was Monife’s dog, which draws her back into the family’s belief system. She feels her sense of self is slipping since returning home. She wonders if epigenetics and generational trauma could scientifically explain the family curse. Her phone vibrates: Zubby has tagged her in an Instagram post. They exchange flirtatious messages about their relationship. He asks what she’s doing, and when she says nothing, he invites her to his apartment.

At Zubby’s Victoria Island apartment, Eniiyi searches for genetic counselor positions while Zubby talks to his sister on the phone. She discovers a perfect graduate role with a UK-based NGO offering visa sponsorship. Despite her grandmother’s negative memories of Britain and Zubby’s presence in Lagos, she applies. After his call ends, Zubby sketches her. Seeing the portrait, she admits it reminds her of Monife. Zubby takes her to a tattoo parlor, explaining that a tattoo will distinguish Eniiyi from her aunt. Zubby gets a Latin quote tattooed behind his ear. Eniiyi chooses a black kite in mid-flight and has it tattooed on her side. Zubby pays the 100,000-naira fee. Eniiyi tells him she feels strange but doesn’t regret it—she did it for herself. Later, they have sex.

In the kitchen, Eniiyi announces to Ebun, Grandma East, and Grandma West that she has a boyfriend. The women are performing domestic tasks. Ebun asks his name. When Eniiyi says Zubby, Ebun notes he’s Igbo. Eniiyi becomes defensive, but her mother claims she’s merely stating a fact. Asked where they met, Eniiyi is evasive, mentioning a beach in Lekki. Her grandmother asks when they’ll meet him. Ebun invites Zubby for dinner the following Sunday. Eniiyi hesitates, admitting she worries her family will embarrass her, but her mother dismisses her concerns.

Eniiyi gives Zubby tips for meeting her family. She warns him Ebun can be tough but advises politeness. On Sunday, Zubby arrives early, well-dressed. Ebun enters carrying tea and biscuits. Upon seeing Zubby’s face, her smile vanishes and she drops the tray. She stares at him, shaking. Zubby kneels to clean the mess. Ebun demands his full government name. After he provides it, she steps backward, lets out a sob, and tells him to leave. Despite Eniiyi’s protests, Zubby agrees to depart.

Eniiyi finds Ebun folding clothes. Ebun commands her to stop seeing Zubby, claiming he’s not right for her. When Eniiyi demands an explanation, Ebun weakly cites tiredness. Eniiyi presses further. Ebun claims to know his family, calling them not good people, but refuses to elaborate. She asks Eniiyi to trust her as her mother. Eniiyi refuses to end the relationship, asserting they belong to each other.

In bed at Zubby’s apartment, they discuss their love. She says he makes her feel safe. He raises her mother’s reaction. Eniiyi defends her mother against tribalism accusations, but Zubby argues all Nigerians harbor such prejudices. They argue about tribal stereotypes before Eniiyi apologizes. Zubby proposes meeting his parents first, then winning over Ebun together. She agrees to his plan. Preparing to part, she experiences sudden sadness and asks for something to hold. He gives her his leather bracelet, which she fastens around her wrist.