Star stirred.
Her chest rose and fell with natural ease, as if the storm within her had passed. The heart monitor's steady rhythm echoed like a lullaby, a far cry from the shrill chaos of before.
"She's breathing… normally," the nurse whispered, her voice quivering in awe.
The doctor leaned in closer, scanning her vitals again. "This… this is a miracle. I've never seen someone come back like this."
"True love exists, sir," Rudra murmured, his eyes flicking toward Mandume.
The doctor raised a brow. "Is he—?"
"The boyfriend," Rudra confirmed. "Yes."
The nurse added, her tone reverent, "What you did today… it was more than love. It was beyond science."
Tomas stepped forward, placing a shaky hand on Mandume's shoulder. "I… I have no words to thank you. I was terrified I'd have to break this to Louisa. Thank you, Mendu."
Mandume gave a humble nod, eyes still fixed on Star.
"My daughter murmured your name the first day I met her," Tomas added, his voice thick. "I bless your love for her. It's clear she chose well."
"Thank you, sir," Mandume replied quietly.
The doctor returned, clipboard in hand. "Star is stable now. She's unconscious but breathing on her own. No need for machines anymore. You can see her when she wakes up."
"Thank you, Doctor," Mandume said, relief loosening the stiffness in his shoulders.
The doctors left—but whispers followed.
"They claimed the baby was a product of rape," one said just outside the door. "So how is Mr. Davids a match for the fetus's blood type?"
"Maybe… he's the father," the other replied.
Tomas froze mid-step. The words slammed into him like a train. He turned sharply toward Mandume.
"You brought my daughter back to life, and that's… incredible. But tell me something—why?"
Mandume blinked. "Sir?"
"I'll get straight to the point," Tomas said, his voice steely. "Did you rape Star? Are you the father of her unborn child?"
Mandume reeled. "What?! No! I would never—!"
"The proof is there," Tomas pressed.
Rudra stepped in quickly. "Star required A+ blood, but the baby needed AB Negative. Mandume's blood matched the fetus… but that doesn't mean he's the father."
Mandume stood frozen, as if all breath had been knocked from his lungs.
"So you moved her into your house—was that your way of hiding it?" Tomas accused.
"No, sir!" Mandume defended. "There's some mistake. I didn't… I couldn't…"
"But your blood type matches her baby's," Tomas argued.
"AB Negative is rare. Like, one in ten people rare," Rudra offered, trying to ease the tension.
Tomas was far from convinced. "Only Star can clear this… or a DNA test."
Mandume's face paled. "A DNA test?"
"Yes," Tomas snapped. "And if it's a full match—I'll open a case for rape."
Mandume swallowed hard but nodded. "Fine. Let's do it."
"The public hospitals take two days," the doctor said.
"We're not waiting. I'll pay for private," Mandume said, already dialing the nearest clinic.
They drove in silence. In the car, Mandume leaned back, eyes on the ceiling. "What if he's right, Rudra? What if the DNA says I'm the father?"
"You're not," Rudra said firmly. "I know you. You didn't do that."
At the clinic, both samples were taken. Minutes later, a nurse called them in.
"The report is ready," she said, handing a sealed envelope to Tomas.
He opened it and stared. His lips parted, but no words came. Finally, he passed it to Mandume.
Rudra read aloud, "Mr. M. Davids and the fetus share a 25% DNA match."
Mandume nearly dropped the report.
"What… what does that mean?" Tomas asked.
The nurse explained gently, "It means Mr. Davids is likely the baby's uncle—his brother or his father is the biological parent."
They exited the facility in silence. Mandume gripped the report like it might vanish if he let go.
"Sir…" he began, voice hoarse. "I… I don't have a brother. And my father… no, that's not possible. I don't know how to explain this."
Tomas was grave. "Someone in your family—your father or someone else—raped my daughter. Ask them. And I'm sorry for accusing you, I just needed to be sure."
He hugged Mandume tightly. Mandume's phone rang.
"It's the hospital," he said. "Star's awake."
They drove fast, hearts pounding.
Meanwhile…
Tiffanie clutched Bonita's arm, pale and trembling. "Bonita… Star—Olivia was on the phone. She said Star is dead."
"What?" Bonita gasped. "No way. Where is she?"
The two stormed off looking for Maria, who was pacing and anxious. She answered her phone.
"Mom?" Mandume's voice came through.
"Where are you?" Maria snapped. "Everyone is waiting."
"Star is in the hospital. She just woke up."
Maria's hand dropped the phone. "Star… is alive?"
"Yeah. Central Hospital. But if she's not discharged soon, we might transfer her to Rhino."
"I'm on my way," Maria said, stunned. She hung up, fury clouding her expression.
"Star is alive?!" Olivia echoed in disbelief.
Maria grabbed her keys.
"Where are you going?" Olivia asked.
"Get in."
Bonita, Tiffanie, and Daniels spotted them heading out.
"Let's follow them," Bonita said.
As they drove, Daniels frowned. "You're all hiding something from me."
"We thought Star was with Rudra," Bonita explained. "But she wasn't."
Daniels smiled faintly. "Star… I've never even met her, and yet I feel like I know her. Her name echoes everywhere."
"She's unforgettable," Bonita said. "The kind of girl you can't read. When you think she's angry, she's amused. When you think she's happy, she's planning something."
"You know her well," Tiffanie observed.
"She became my sister," Bonita said, voice breaking. "And I started loving her for it."
Mandume quickly informed Christine of Star's recovery.
The tides were shifting—again. The truth was clawing its way to the surface. And this time, no secret would stay buried for long.