Behind the closed bedroom door, Maria paced like a caged animal, eyes wild with rage and desperation.
"Star!" she hissed, nearly choking on the name. "She always finds a way to humiliate me. How did I even touch the gun? Wait... it was my gun. In the jacket I wore this morning… Right?"
She fumbled for her phone and dialed Dr. Mathews—no answer.
"Useless doctor," she muttered. "What pills did he even give her? Star looks fine. Strong. Healthy. Like nothing's wrong. No sign of side effects… None!"
Fuming, she punched another number into her phone—Kefas.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up…" she growled under her breath.
"Hello?"
"Kefas," she snapped, her voice low and sharp. "You need to come back. I've never been defeated before in my life, but this Star… She's all over me. She's digging."
"What happened?" Kefas asked, instantly on alert.
"She knows too much. Everything—about me, about us. It's getting out of control. I can't lose to a poor brat. You have to help me, Kefas. Please. Or else your daughter—"
"What? What happened to my daughter?" Kefas interrupted, panic rising in his voice.
"Star threatened to harm her if I don't tell the truth about Davids," Maria lied quickly, voice trembling with just the right amount of rehearsed fear.
"What?! No. No, no—I won't let anything happen to Boni. You have to tell the truth, Maria. Davids is missing anyway. This can't keep going."
Maria's voice hardened. "You think I can afford to lose everything? My reputation, my business, my clients? If I talk, it's all gone. No—listen. We need to make Star disappear from our lives. I already have a plan in motion. But if it fails… I'll need you for the next phase."
Kefas exhaled heavily. "Maria… Bonita is all I have. If anything happens to her, I swear—my life is over. Protect her for me while I'm away. Please."
Maria softened her tone. "Of course. Trust me. I'll keep her safe."
She ended the call and stared blankly at the floor.
"Star Shining," she whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Don't grow too proud, and don't forget—you still have your health to worry about."
In the kitchen, laughter echoed.
Bonita, Star, and Christine moved like a trio of chefs in sync—chopping, stirring, tasting.
But amid the playful energy, Christine narrowed her eyes at Star. "Tell me, dear… are you and Maria hiding something from us?"
Star flinched, barely disguising her anxiety.
"No, Grandma. I mean… you're asking because of what happened earlier, right?" She hesitated, heart thudding. "Okay… I lied. I didn't want Mandume or Bonita to remember today as the day they watched their mother get dragged to jail."
Christine tilted her head, suspicious.
"Are you sure that's all?"
"Yes, Grandma," Star nodded, forcing a smile. "That's it."
Bonita shook her head, eyes locked on Star.
"I still don't get it. Mom despises you, yet you covered for her. You lied to protect her."
Star exhaled slowly. "In my life, my mom is my hero. And in yours, she's yours—especially with your dad out of the picture. She's doing her best to keep you two happy. If it takes lies to save her… so be it. I may not agree with her, but I respect what it means to be a mother. I don't feel the same way about fathers anymore."
Behind them, Mandume had quietly entered the kitchen, catching every word. Something softened in his eyes.
Christine walked over, leaned in close to Star, and whispered, "Covering up for betrayal makes you part of it. I may be quiet, but I see everything."
Star swallowed hard and gave a slow nod.
Mandume cleared his throat, breaking the moment.
"Uh, Grandma? Someone wants to join us."
Christine gave Star a knowing glance, but said nothing.
Just as Mandume walked toward Star, Bonita playfully stepped between them. "Hey! Star's cooking. Romance can wait."
Christine chuckled. "You two aren't married yet. Once you tie the knot, we'll stop sabotaging your love scenes."
At the mention of marriage, Mandume practically teleported out of the kitchen.
Star blinked. "Wait—why'd he run off like that?"
Bonita grinned. "Guess he's scared of marriage."