As the chapter opens, Adizua has become distant. He stays out late at night and does not eat the dinners that Efuru prepares for him. He never tells her where he has gone. Efuru is upset and wonders what she can do to win back his love. She is convinced that he is seeing another woman. She does not mind if Adizua wants to take another wife, but she does not understand why he is hiding it from her.

One day, Adizua goes to Ndoni, a town that is far away, and does not return. In the market, Efuru hears that a woman left her child with her mother, went to Ndoni, and did not return. Efuru realizes that this is the woman her husband is seeing, but she feels powerless to do anything about it.

Efuru confides in Ajanupu, and Ajanupu advises her to be patient. She does not condone Adizua’s conduct, but she believes Efuru should do her duty as a wife, even if it means that she must suffer. Efuru does not like this advice. Ossai also advises Efuru to wait, telling Efuru the story of her own marriage. Adizua’s father left her, returned after more than 10 years, and then disappeared again.