"Mandume, there's still time," Maria said, her voice soft but insistent. "Olivia… she's been your friend since childhood. She could make a good wife."
Without a word, Mandume turned and walked out.
"Mom…" Maria said, disoriented by his sudden exit.
Christine rose from her seat, stern and commanding.
"Mandume is marrying the love of his life—and that's final."
With that, she left the room, leaving Maria to stew in her schemes.
In the kitchen, Star was blending fruit, humming softly. The hum of the blender was a soothing background to her scattered thoughts.
"Hi, Star?" Olivia's voice broke the moment.
Star turned. "Hey… how are you?"
"What are you doing?" Olivia asked, stepping closer.
"I don't know. I'm just… craving something sweet, but also a little sour, you know?" Star replied.
"Ugh, what kind of weird food combo is that?" Olivia wrinkled her nose playfully. "Are you pregnant or something? Only pregnant women or girls on their period get such cravings."
"I'm pregnant," Star said simply.
Olivia's eyes widened. "Whoa! But you still look sexy!"
Star giggled. "Because it's still small. Barely two months."
"Aww! So, I'm gonna be an aunt soon!" Olivia beamed.
Star just smiled faintly and finished preparing her drink. She walked into the living room, where Bonita was curled up on the couch, looking a little gloomy.
"Happy birthday, girly!" Star sang cheerfully.
Bonita managed a small, forced smile.
"Mom said no again, didn't she?" Star guessed. "But even if she disappointed you, this isn't the time to dim your own light."
She handed Bonita the fruit blend. "Happy birthday in advance, Boni. Don't let anyone steal your shine."
"Thanks, Star," Bonita murmured, accepting the bowl.
"Mmm, this is delicious!" Bonita said after a sip. "Yummy."
"I know," Star grinned.
Her eyes caught Bonita's phone screen. Tiffanie's name appeared repeatedly in the call log.
Even after she found Daniels, she can't let go of Tiffanie. I'm the one who separated them… I will reunite them, Star thought silently.
"What did Mom say?" she asked aloud.
Bonita sighed. "She's a jerk, Star. I'm done trying."
"Boni, don't talk like that," Star pleaded gently.
"I can't force someone who carried me for nine months to act like a mother. I'm done."
Before Star could reply, Mandume came downstairs looking disheartened. Olivia followed behind, clearly waiting for her cue. She intentionally slipped on the tile, falling into Mandume's arms.
He caught her just in time, his hands steady but his face unsure.
"Hold it! Don't move!" Star said, raising her phone. "That's a picture-perfect pose—just like a Bollywood movie!"
She snapped the photo with a playful laugh.
Mandume quickly let go of Olivia, stepping back. "No, no… it wasn't what it looked like. She almost fell, I just caught her."
Bonita laughed. "Brother, your little stunt to make Star jealous totally failed."
"I wasn't trying to make her jealous!" Mandume protested.
Christine's voice echoed from upstairs. "Mandume, come to my room."
He obeyed without delay.
Maria stepped outside, finding Kefas pacing near the car.
"The company's profit is running lower than the Davids'," she said.
"Client shortage," Kefas replied coolly.
"Shortage? And the Davids Empire is overflowing with them!"
"We need a plan. We need to defame them," Maria insisted.
"You're thinking too shallow. How many awards does your company have? You even have a trophy room, and you're talking about defaming the Davids?" Kefas scoffed. "Anyway, how's Bonita?"
"So now you only care about Bonita, not the company?" Maria snapped.
"I'm here. I've got this. You work for the Davids and get everything transferred to you. Mandume will marry soon and everything will fall into place."
"Mandume isn't even interested in Olivia. This morning, he asked about his father and then went straight to Star. Later, he told me he wants to marry Star—for love!"
"Pure hearts marry for love, not money," Kefas said pointedly.
"Is that an insult?" Maria narrowed her eyes.
"No. That's a fact," he replied. "Even if you throw Star out of the house, she'll still be in Mandume's heart. Don't you get it?"
Maria said nothing but looked thoughtful.
In Christine's room, the atmosphere was calmer.
"I called you here to say this, Mandume," Christine said, taking his hands. "You have my full blessing. Marry the woman you love."
"Really, Grandma?" Mandume's voice trembled slightly.
"Yes, my son. Star is a wonderful young woman. She'll make a great daughter-in-law. I know you won't regret it."
"Thank you, Grandma. But what about Mom?"
"I'll handle her," Christine said firmly.
Mandume hesitated. "But… Mom made a point. What if Star never loves again? What if her trauma keeps her from opening up?"
Christine smiled wisely. "But she loved you before the trauma, didn't she? The thread of love is still there. With your heart and your charm, you can help her believe in love again."
"Really, Grandma?!"
"Yes. I trust you both. Just have faith."
"Thank you, Grandma!" Mandume hugged her before hurrying out with renewed hope.
Later that evening, the estate buzzed with preparation. All the workers—chefs, cleaners, gatekeepers—were gathered.
"We have a major event tonight and tomorrow," Mandume addressed them. "Not just Bonita's birthday, but also a business event hosted by The Davids Empire."
He looked around at the team.
"We must show excellence. If you're given a task, own it. We don't want to fire anyone without pay—but discipline matters. You need anything, tokens are available. Selma Ma'am is a call away. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," they chorused.
"My previous team worked like family—we win together. Impress the guests. It all depends on your effort."
"Yes, sir!" they repeated.
"Good. Back to work," Mandume nodded.
Then he turned and called, "Selma Ma'am…"
His voice echoed into the hallway, searching for the woman who had been like a second mother to him.