Star froze, words jamming in her throat as her mind raced for the safest answer.
"I… I was running," she blurted, then forced a nervous chuckle. "Actually, I had an idea. Why don't we check out your father's office? His actual workplace. We might find some clues there, you know?"
Mandume narrowed his eyes. "Is that all?"
Then, quieter, more direct: "Star, what did that woman say after I left?"
She looked up slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mandume… will you believe me?"
"Yes," he said, firmly. "Tell me what's going on."
Star blinked. "Wait—did I just say that out loud?"
"You didn't have to. Your face says it all. The way you're holding yourself, the way you're avoiding my eyes… Star, you doubt I'll believe you."
"Are you a mind reader?" she asked, her voice now audible but shaky.
"Why?"
"Because you're answering things I'm only thinking."
Mandume raised a brow. "I'm just talking."
"You're cute…" Star muttered under her breath without realizing it had slipped out.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Nothing. Just… if you can read minds, tell me what I said."
Mandume smirked. "Oh, so we're changing the subject now?"
Star winced, guilt tightening in her chest.
"I meant what I said earlier," he added. "I will believe you."
Star bit her lip, then exhaled. "Alright, you want the truth? Fine. Whether you believe me or not, here it is."
Mandume leaned in, serious.
"After you left… I was called into an office. There was a man there—Mr. Romero. He repeated the same things that lady told us, like a script. But just as I was leaving, she walked in."
Her voice trembled.
"She said she was going to inject me with madness. Just like she did to your father. She had a gun pointed at me the whole time. Said I was sneaky. Said I exposed her by showing you that report. That it was a mistake."
Star took a breath. Her hands were shaking now.
"She said… she's not your real mother. That your real mom died in that accident."
Mandume's jaw clenched.
"She kept me at gunpoint while the man prepared a drug. I don't know what happened next. I… I said something. I don't remember what. But it scared her. She dropped the gun, and I ran. I ran all the way here."
Mandume was silent. Then, with irritation coating his voice:
"Did you just hear yourself talk?"
Star's eyes widened. "You dragged it out of me, and now you're upset? Don't shout at me. Don't insult me. I get it—your mother's a saint in your eyes. But if you don't believe me, get out of my room."
"I'm serious, Star!"
"So am I!"
Mandume shot to his feet, fury bubbling over. He grabbed her wrists tightly. "Star!!"
Star gasped, then collapsed. She fainted in his arms.
Mandume's anger evaporated in a second. "Star? Star, I'm sorry! Please… wake up."
He lifted her onto the bed, gently tapping her cheeks, trying to wake her.
"Star… what did I do?" he whispered, panic replacing every trace of anger.
He fumbled for his phone and called the family doctor, then bolted toward his mother's room.
Bonita looked up from the living room as Mandume passed like a storm. She sensed something was wrong and hurried toward Star's room.
Mandume barged into Maria's room, breathless. "Mom! Mom—Star…"
He stopped. The room was empty. He rushed to his grandmother's room and found Maria there, soothing Christine.
"Granny! Mom—Star's passed out!"
"What?! How?" Maria asked, her face twisting with false concern.
"I just asked her what happened at the clinic. She started talking, then suddenly went quiet. I thought she was messing with me. I raised my voice and… she fainted."
"You were at the clinic too?" Christine asked sternly.
"Grandma, please! This isn't the time!" he snapped.
Maria's heart stuttered in her chest—not from worry, but from fear. If Star had told the truth…
Thank God she fainted, Maria thought. If she'd finished that story…
"God must still be on my side," she muttered under her breath.
"Grandma, let's go!" Mandume said, tugging Maria along.
Meanwhile, Bonita reached Star's room. Her eyes widened when she saw Star lying motionless on the bed.
"Star?" she whispered, stepping closer.
"Star…?" She gently took her wrist and checked for a pulse.
A breath of relief escaped her lips. "She's alive."
Just then, Mandume, Maria, and Christine entered.
Maria rushed to Star's side with mock horror.
"Oh my gosh! Star… what happened? Did she eat something bad?"
"Don't do this, Star. Please wake up," Maria crooned with practiced grief.
"She's not dead, Mom," Bonita said, eyeing her mother carefully. "The doctor's on his way."
"I know, but she's like a daughter to me," Maria said. "I'm worried. Especially now… with the pregnancy."
Bonita's eyes narrowed. Now you're worried?