Daniels stepped out of the car and walked into the house, quiet as ever.
"He's strange. Really strange," Tiffanie murmured, arms folded.
"Yeah… but maybe we were wrong," Bonita replied, voice laced with guilt. "We should've heard Star's side before talking trash about her."
Tiffanie nodded, then noticed Olivia nearby, eyes glued to her phone. She lowered her voice. "Next time… let's be careful about what we say."
"Come on, let's head inside," Bonita urged, and the two disappeared into the house.
That evening – Windhoek Hospital
Star sat upright in her hospital bed, clutching her beloved Star globe—the one her father gave her. Its soft glow danced across the white walls like a memory trying to breathe.
"I didn't talk to you last night," she whispered to it. "So, you decided to come to me personally, huh? Clever move."
Her eyes darkened. "I don't even know where to begin, but I know you see everything. Tell me something—Daniels… he looks exactly like Steffy, my baby's father. Is he in disguise… or just his doppelganger?"
She shook her head, laughing bitterly. "I didn't even know Steffy that well. How do I know he's not the same man? Do I protect Bonita from him, or am I just ruining her love life?"
A nurse barged in with a tray of food, interrupting her spiral.
"Wait—did you know I'm carrying a human inside me?" Star asked, staring at the tray.
"What about it?" the nurse snapped.
"Should I be eating this?" she gestured toward the sad-looking portion.
"You're supposed to drink it," the nurse barked, then left without another word.
Star stared at the tray with disgust. "This… this nasty little thing? I went to bed hungry last night, woke up at four… and this is what I get?"
Just then, Mandume walked in carrying a small bag. "Maybe this will do."
"Mendu!" Star's face lit up. "I was just about to call you."
"With what phone? You don't have yours," he teased.
"Well… I could've borrowed one from these nurse-tyrants," she smirked. "But seriously, look what they gave me—how's this supposed to fill me?"
Mandume set the bag down. "So… how are you feeling now?"
"Better. But tell me—what really happened to me?"
His expression turned grave. "After we left last night… someone came to attack you. They wanted to kill you, Star."
Her breath hitched. "Kill me?"
"We managed to catch one of them. He's locked up now—he won't get out until we know who sent him."
"Someone sent them?" Star repeated, wide-eyed.
"Yes. During questioning, he said someone ordered him to do it. But just as he was about to spill the name… Mom walked in and slapped him. Then the police took him away."
Star's brows arched. "Maybe your mom is the mastermind. Why else would she cut him off like that?"
Mandume was stunned. "Star… I know my mom plays nice, but deep down she doesn't like you. Still, she wouldn't go that far. She was just angry."
"Hatred doesn't come with limits," Star said coldly. "You're too naïve. Now pass me that food."
Mandume handed it to her but kept his gaze locked on the Star globe beside her.
"Your dad was really thoughtful," he said quietly. "He doesn't seem like the monster you described."
"Life humbled him," she replied.
"This globe… it's beautiful. Like something out of a fairy tale."
"Speaking of fairy tales—I want my laptop."
"Already handled," Mandume grinned. "I loaded it with some comedies so you won't go nuts in here."
Star beamed. "You know why I love you? You always read my mind."
"Was that… a compliment?" he teased, leaning a little closer.
But she swerved. "Mendu… did you meet Bonita's friend?"
"See? Always changing the subject…" he mumbled.
"Yeah—Daniels. What do you think of him?"
"He's strange," Mandume admitted. "But it's not my place to choose Boni's man."
Star looked away. "That's how I felt when I met Steffy…"
Mandume's curiosity peaked. "Actually, I've been meaning to ask—where did you meet Steffy?"
"In Goreangab."
"Does he live there? What does he look like? Does he… look like me?"
Star squinted. "Why would you ask that? No, he doesn't look like you."
"Where exactly did he live?"
"I don't know. After I told him I was pregnant, he vanished. I went back to his place, and the neighbors said no one named Steffy ever lived there. A woman lives in that room now."
"I want to question that woman," Mandume said, eyes narrowing.
Star looked at him hard. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Mandume kept his voice steady, though his mind screamed, I can't tell her about the DNA test yet.
"Nothing. I'm just trying to understand."
Star sighed. "I don't have the strength to drag the truth out of you right now. So I'll let it slide."
She started eating. Mandume watched her closely, concern painted all over his face.
Star noticed.