Christine stood silently at the doorway of Maria's room, arms crossed, her face carved with concern.
Maria looked up, startled.
"Mom? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"It's nearly eight," Christine replied, her voice flat but tight with emotion.
Maria frowned. "You look...worried. What's wrong?"
Christine stepped inside slowly. "Maria, I came here to ask you one thing—and this time, I want nothing but the truth."
Maria's brows furrowed in alarm. "You're scaring me, Mom. What are you talking about?"
Christine's eyes narrowed. "You should be scared."
"Mom…" Maria whispered, growing nervous.
"We haven't been on good terms for over twenty years, and despite that, I let you live in my house—with my son," Christine said, her voice trembling now with restrained rage. "You killed Joan, sold my son off to your cursed asylum, and even now you're hiding the truth from the children…"
"If you're here to repeat that tired lecture again, save it. I've told you before—I didn't do any of that," Maria said firmly.
"I'm not done." Christine's tone cut like a blade.
"I came here with one goal—get Mandume married, reclaim the company, and disappear. But after what I heard yesterday, I might be staying longer than planned."
Maria stiffened. "You think I'm behind what happened to Star?"
"No. Even though every piece of evidence screams your name…I know you're not. But that's not why I'm here."
Christine paused, her eyes boring into Maria's. "I'm here to talk about Joan."
Maria flinched. "What about Joan? What happened?"
"You were her closest friend. You knew Davids too. So answer me honestly—did Joan or Davids have another child… besides Mandume and Bonita?"
Maria blinked, stunned. "What kind of question is that? How would I know?"
"Don't lie to me again. I know you know," Christine snapped.
"I don't, Mom. Really, I don't. Joan and I were together almost every day until her accident. As far as I know, Mandume was her only child."
Christine studied her face. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"Very well. That's all I needed."
"Wait—why are you asking me this now?" Maria asked.
"It's nothing you need to worry about," Christine said flatly, then added, "One more thing—Mandume will marry someone of his choice. He had five years to find a partner. I'm sure he doesn't need you picking one for him."
"You're only saying that because he wants to marry Star."
"At least his grandmother supports him. Who are you again?" Christine shot back.
"I'm his mother. I raised him. I shaped him into the man he is today—" Maria began, but Christine cut her off.
"No. Mandume was raised by his father—until you ripped him away. Now you want to do the same to Star. But let me make something clear—Star isn't just Mandume's friend or future wife. She's his savior. Our savior. Just wait and see."
Maria's voice sharpened. "You always claim to know my secrets. If you really do, why don't you just go tell the children instead of cornering me every chance you get?"
"Oh, I do know your secrets," Christine said, her voice dropping into a hiss. "All of them. I have proof too. Like how you blackmailed Dr. Mathews into aborting Star's baby…"
Maria's jaw dropped, frozen in disbelief.
"Yes. Shocked, aren't you?" Christine's tone was venomous. "I also know you're blackmailing Star now—threatening her so she doesn't tell Mandume the truth."
Christine stepped closer.
"Now that you know I know, ask yourself this: why haven't I exposed you?"
Maria remained silent, eyes darting in fear.
"The same reason Star hasn't." Christine turned to leave. "Think about that."
As the door clicked shut behind her, Maria murmured to herself, "Why…why isn't Star exposing me?"
"You really want to be exposed?" Olivia said as she entered, arms crossed.
Maria jumped. "No—I mean, no. But the fact that Star hasn't… It freaks me out. What is she waiting for?"
"Relax, Mom," Olivia said, closing the door. "That's exactly what she wants—to keep you scared. But you can't lose focus now."
"I feel like they're plotting something. Christine and Star—they're planning something."
Olivia walked closer and gripped her mother's shoulders. "Listen to me. Uncle Kefas always said your nerves are your biggest weakness. Star's smart—she knows how to turn your tactics against you. But you didn't come this far to lose your grip now."
Maria nodded, voice low and bitter. "You're right. When someone dies at twenty, it's called premature—unnatural. That's not going to be me."
Meanwhile, across town, Mandume called Star before heading down to breakfast.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…" he sang when she picked up.
"Why'd you stop?" Star asked softly.
"You didn't ask me to keep going," he teased.
"I was enjoying it. I'm bored out of my mind here."
"How are you feeling?"
"I just said I'm bored."
"Did the doctor come by?"
"Yeah. I'm not discharged yet."
"Hang in there," he said warmly. "You'll be out soon, and I'll be the one picking you up. Just be patient."
A maid called out, "Sir, breakfast is ready."
"Coming," he replied, then returned to the phone. "Talk soon, Star."
"Okay. See you."
As Mandume descended the stairs, he ran into Olivia.
"Good morning, my sweet, sweet friend," she greeted with a sugar-coated smile.
"Morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby. You?"
"Same," he said. "Just spoke to Star—she's doing okay."
The smile on Olivia's face faltered ever so slightly.