The Promise

At the Swart farm, where Anton now lives, Anton realizes that his wife, Desirée— the girl he dated in his youth and made plans to see at the end of Part 2—is not at home. He assumes she has gone to her meditation class taught by a man familiar with Eastern traditions, Moti.

Anton must notify Amor of Astrid’s death but has no current contact information for her; Astrid kept in touch with both her siblings since Manie’s death, but Anton and Amor did not stay in touch with each other. He manages to contact her by calling the hospital where she works. Shortly after, Desirée arrives home to find Anton drunk. She is dissatisfied with their marriage and her life on the farm, partly because she and Anton have not been able to have a baby despite trying for years.

Meanwhile, Jake wakes Father Batty at one in the morning. Annoyed, Father Batty agrees to speak with him but is distressed when Jake resumes badgering him about what sin Astrid confessed before she died. He eventually gives in and tells Jake that Astrid was having an affair, but he says he cannot tell Jake with whom because he does not know.