Bonita and Star finally found the perfect moment.
"We have to do this now," Star whispered. "I'll go in. You stay out here and keep watch. If anyone comes, whistle."
Bonita nodded, eyes sharp. "Check her closet. Between the bedsheets. That's where I'd hide it."
Without another word, Star crept into Olivia's room.
She moved with precision, scanning every corner. The table, the cupboard, under the pillows—nothing. The frustration mounted with every empty drawer.
Then—
"Auch!" Star yelped, clutching her foot. Something had pricked her sharply.
Her eyes snapped toward the closet.
Suddenly, Bonita hears footsteps.
Before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was dragged into the shadows.
Meanwhile downstairs...
"Oh, my son, I've missed you so much!" Selma whispered as she wrapped her arms around Mandume.
"I missed you too, Mom. I had to find a way to bring us back together," Mandume said, holding her tightly.
Selma leaned back to examine his face. "And look at you... so grown. Old enough to make me a grandmother."
Mandume chuckled, "Yeah... I'm working on it."
"I'm so sorry about your father."
"It's alright. It's been five years. I'm not haunted by it anymore. It actually gave me purpose."
Selma frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I met someone, Mom. Someone who gave me the courage to face myself. She inspired me to start asking questions. I've even found clues about Dad's disappearance."
Maria stood watching from afar, her eyes like knives. When Selma saw her, she stiffened immediately.
"I have to go," Selma said quickly. "We'll talk more later."
"Mom, I'm here now…"
Selma forced a laugh. "I'm not babysitting a groom!" And she hurried away.
Later, Olivia approached Mandume with a curious smile.
"There you are," she said, playful. "I've been looking all over for you."
Mandume turned, grinning.
"What's with the smile?" Olivia teased.
"I think I'm about to become a man."
"You are a man," she said, laughing.
He leaned in slightly. "A boy becomes a man when he has a woman. And I—"
"Wait," Olivia cut him off. "Come, there's something I want to show you."
They ran upstairs toward her room, laughing—until they opened the door.
"Star?!" Mandume blurted out.
Star froze. She had just turned and locked eyes with the phone she'd been searching for.
"What are you doing in my closet?" Olivia barked. "Were you stealing? Do you think I'm a snitch or something? Are you trying to dig up dirt on me?!"
Mandume looked lost, unsure who to believe. Star didn't answer. She stood facing the closet, clutching something in her hand.
Then Olivia turned her—and gasped.
Star's face was streaked with blood. Her mouth and nose were bleeding.
"Star!" Mandume cried out in panic.
"I… I was looking…for—" Star muttered faintly, then collapsed.
Outside the house...
"You!" Bonita gasped.
Daniels smiled. "Yes, me. Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I am… but not now. Meet me at the bar. Ten minutes."
She took off running before he could respond.
Back upstairs...
"Star, why is she bleeding like this?!" Mandume asked, frantic.
"Bring water! Now!" he ordered.
Olivia rushed off.
Bonita finally made it to the hallway and saw Star unconscious. Her heart stopped.
"What happened? Why is she bleeding?!" she shouted.
Mandume knelt beside Star, too shaken to reply. Then, Star's eyelids fluttered open—and she made eye contact with Bonita.
She winked.
Bonita blinked. She's faking?
Bonita took a breath and stepped in.
"Let me handle it, brother."
"What? She's pregnant and bleeding. I'm calling a doctor," Mandume insisted.
Star weakly shook her head at Bonita.
"She needed paracetamol," Bonita lied quickly. "She searched everywhere, couldn't find it. I went to get some at the pharmacy. That's probably what she was looking for in here."
Mandume paused, remembering how Star had tried to say something before fainting.
Just then, Olivia returned—with a doctor.
"She doesn't need that," Olivia said coldly. "I've already called my doctor. She's the best. Also certified in gynecology."
Bonita and Star's eyes widened.
"Thanks, Olly," Mandume said, relieved.
Star groaned internally. Oh no. I'm screwed…
Mandume lifted her gently onto the bed.
"Doctor, please check her. She's pregnant… and bleeding. We're really worried," Olivia explained.
The doctor moved in. "Let me examine her mouth."
Star clenched her jaw tight.
If she opens my mouth… she'll see the wound…
Mandume handed over a file. "Here's her medical report."
Bonita stood frozen.
"The truth is—" she started, but the doctor cut her off.
"Does she have mutism?"
"Yes!" Mandume said quickly.
"Ah, then this makes sense. Her condition is not dangerous. She'll wake up soon. The bleeding… is unusual, but not alarming."
Mandume frowned. "Doctor, her mutism is triggered by fear."
"Then she saw something in this room," Bonita said, locking eyes with Olivia.
Olivia tensed, her smile fading.
Just then, Christine entered.
"I heard she fainted—Star!" she gasped.
"She's fine, Grandma," Mandume reassured. "Just her mutism."
The doctor handed a small vial to Mandume. "Mix this with water. It will help reduce the effects of mutism safely during pregnancy. Give it to her when she wakes."
"Thank you," Mandume said.
As Olivia escorted the doctor out, disappointed, Mandume went to prepare the medicine.
Bonita leaned in. "Star… you're not really unconscious, are you?"
Christine approached the bed. "Angel… is she still—"
Star sat up, holding her breath.
Christine gasped.