Later that afternoon, Maria returned from the office to find Mandume and Bonita lounging in the living room, watching TV.
"Afternoon, everyone," Maria greeted as she stepped inside.
Bonita was lost in thought, but Mandume looked up and responded, "Afternoon… How was your day?"
"It went well," Maria replied, setting her bag down. "I renewed the demo contract with Deshi Industries for the upcoming project. I hope your PA mentioned it—you'll need to sign off so we can submit everything tomorrow."
"He did," Mandume said with a nod. Then his brows furrowed. "But Mom, how are we only getting that project today? I applied for it before I went on leave—they responded ages ago. Why the delay?"
Maria hesitated slightly before responding. "They requested updated samples. The ones we had were malfunctioning, so I reapplied and asked for an extension. That's why the final submission came through today."
Mandume frowned. "Mom, you could've told me. We always keep spare samples."
"I didn't want to bother you during your leave," Maria said gently. "You needed rest."
"But that kind of decision affects our company's consistency," he argued. "If our ratings drop, so does our credibility. Clients notice these things."
"I understand," Maria said with a sigh. "It won't happen again. I promised myself I wouldn't let your father down."
Bonita made a face, clearly unimpressed by the comment.
"Did you call the guard?" Mandume asked abruptly, catching both women off guard. Bonita looked confused. Maria stiffened.
"The guard?" she echoed.
"Yes, Mom—the one who—"
"Oh! Yes, yes," Maria cut in, too quickly. "He's fine." She gave Mandume a quick wink, and he got the message—this was something meant to be kept under wraps for now.
"How's your ankle?" she asked quickly, changing the subject. "Did Mom massage it well?"
"Yeah… I think it's getting better now," Mandume said, playing along.
"Good." Maria gave Bonita a quick pat on the chin. Bonita forced a smile. Then Maria disappeared down the hallway to her room.
"Where's Star?" Bonita asked once Maria was out of earshot.
"She's in her room… She's been in there for a while," Mandume replied.
Concerned, Bonita got up and tiptoed to Star's door. She peeked in and found Star asleep, clutching a picture of her mother. Bonita gently took the photo from her arms and placed it on the table. She covered Star with a sheet, closed the door softly, and returned to the living room, deep in thought.
"She's asleep," she said, sitting down again.
"She must be really tired," Mandume replied.
Just then, Maria's phone rang. She answered.
"Don't worry… don't be too desperate," she said coldly before hanging up.
Meanwhile, Star heard the doorbell and shuffled over to open it. A veiled girl stepped inside without a word and walked straight past Star toward Mandume.
Mandume's face lit up. Star stood frozen, puzzled.
"Who is this?" she asked.
But before anything else could happen—Star jolted awake.
She was breathing heavily, her heart pounding. "What kind of dream was that?"
Her phone rang. It was her mother.
"Mom?" Star answered, rubbing her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Louisa asked.
"I'm fine, Ma. I was asleep…"
"You sound exhausted," Louisa said, concerned.
"I'm just tired. That's all."
"Did you meet your father?" Louisa asked.
"Yes. He's… different now. I had my doubts, but I think he's really changed."
"He told me you took him home last night," Louisa said. "Said he met the people you're staying with."
"I thought he should know where I live," Star replied. "It felt… right."
"He also told me something else," Louisa said pointedly. "Would you like to tell me yourself?"
"What did he say?" Star asked, caught off guard.
"So now you trust your father more than your own mother?" Louisa's voice had that familiar sting.
"Mom, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about my son-in-law—Mandume."
Star froze.
"Why would he say that?" she asked. "Mandume is just one of the Davids, Mom."
"I know what you told Tomas, too. But love doesn't hide. Tomas saw it in your eyes—and his."
"Mom, please…"
"And why didn't you tell us he's the father? You acted like your pregnancy was some tragic mystery too painful to talk about."
Star's chest tightened. Her mother's words stabbed deep, dragging memories she'd buried—memories of that night.
"A family like theirs… why hide this from us?" Louisa continued.
Star took a breath, steadying herself.
"Mom. Only the mother of the child knows who the father is," she said firmly. "Mandume is not the father of my baby."
"Then who is?" Louisa pressed.
Suddenly, Star's phone buzzed—the private number again. She stared at the screen.
"This private number again… why does it keep calling?" she muttered. Before she could answer, her call with her mother dropped.
"Hello? Mom?" she tried. But the call had ended.
She sighed. "Well… guess you saved me from Mom's brutal interrogation."
Star rubbed her belly, heart heavy.
"Steffy… why are you putting me through this?" she whispered. "Why can't I find the strength to tell Mom that you're the father of my child? Everything's been chaos since I got pregnant…"
Tears welled up, but she blinked them back. She couldn't afford to break down—not now.