Rose is collected by her parents in a gleaming blue Cadillac, performing a “redeemed” version of herself for Miss Wellwood and her family. Before leaving, Rose privately warns Fern not to fail her, promises to send money for Holly, and demands, “Make her pay,” pushing Fern toward revenge against Miss Wellwood.

Fern asks Jasmine to use her necklace pendulum over Fern’s belly; the swinging confirms Fern is carrying a boy. As July heat smothers Wellwood House, Fern fixates on the hidden spell powder and argues with Zinnia, who insists Miss Parcae’s magic is dangerous and that poisoning Miss Wellwood is wrong. Fern reads How to Be a Groovy Witch, which frames coven loyalty and vowed will as binding, reinforcing Fern’s sense that she cannot abandon Rose.

A new girl, Willow, arrives as Rose’s replacement, while tempers fray under the oppressive weather. When the twenty-second arrives—the thirteenth day—Fern hides the folded Southern Living page in her sock and tries to follow through with the plan. She maneuvers into Mrs. Deckle’s office with Miss Wellwood’s coffee tray, dumps the brown powder into the pot, and stirs it in, then brings the coffee to Miss Wellwood and disposes of the page.

Back upstairs, Fern lies to Zinnia, claiming she did not add anything to the coffee. Over the following days, girls cycle to the hospital to give birth; Briony returns changed and disoriented, then leaves quietly without farewells. Miss Wellwood’s behavior shifts—she erupts in anger over “bad” tuna, humiliating Hagar—and soon stops appearing at meals, replaced by Mrs. Deckle, who says only that Miss Wellwood is ill.

Fern’s guilt and fear spike as she imagines the powder’s consequences may be far worse than intended. Spiraling over how quickly her life has derailed and what kind of person—and mother—she has become, Fern decides she needs answers and resolves that she must speak to Miss Parcae.