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Across the village, Edith, Rose's childhood friend, masked her jealousy with a smile as she listened to the joyous news. Her resentment towards Rose's prosperity boiled beneath the surface as she grappled with her own children’s absence. Consumed by bitterness and a sense of betrayal, Edith turned to a native doctor, seeking a charm that would counter Rose's joy. That evening, under the cover of darkness, she uttered Rose and Toby's names, wishing them ill.
Despite this dark intention, Rose and Toby prepared for their trip, their children filled with excitement. In a moment of innocent foresight, Vera suggested they pray for their journey. The family’s unassuming prayer for protection would soon become a pivotal moment of divine intervention.