Agnes has no idea what happens to Becka after the paramedics take her away. Months pass and not even the Marthas have heard any news. Shunammite thinks that Becka was only vying for attention and this causes a coolness between her and Agnes.

The next spring, Aunt Gabbana announces that they have found three candidates to consider for Agnes. The first is an older Commander, Commander Judd, one of the original Sons of Jacob. Despite having had several Wives and five Handmaids, he has no children. Later, when she has access to the Bloodlines Genealogical Archives, Agnes will find that the true identities of the leading Sons of Jacob are obliterated.

The second candidate is a younger Commander whose previous wife had died in an asylum and whose baby died of juvenile cancer. The third candidate is the son of a Commander, whose family is enthusiastic about the match, which could result in a better living situation for Agnes.

Aunt Gabbana tells Agnes not to rush into a decision and that her parents want her to be happy, but Agnes silently disagrees. That night, Agnes imagines each of these men on top of her stone-cold, dead body. She pictures herself like Ofkyle, cold and lifeless after a baby was torn out of her.