Star dialed her father with a shaky hand and a braver voice.
"Hi, Father… I'm discharged," she said simply.
"I'm coming to get you right now," Tomas answered, without hesitation.
She then called Rudra. His voice was warm on the other end.
"Hi Star, tell me… how are you doing?"
"I'm great, Rudrof. Thanks to you," she smiled faintly.
"Oh… Thank God, Star. Honestly, I still can't explain what happened yesterday—and I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" she asked gently. "Anyway… I'm discharged."
"That's awesome. Right now, I'm busy, but I'll tell Mandume to come get you."
"No, no—it's okay. I already called my father. Mandume must be busy, you know… school and work. Yesterday must've wrecked his whole day."
"Yeah, you're right. See you later, then." Rudra said, and the line cut.
Meanwhile, Tomas met with Maria in a quiet, neutral space. He came dressed like a man bracing for war.
"Honestly, ma'am… I don't know what lies ahead, but I need to be clear: my daughter won't be returning to your house. And she won't have any more contact with Mandume."
"I just hope Mandume didn't show her the DNA report. Still… even if she's pregnant with his child, I won't allow her near the Davids again."
Maria remained composed, but her words sharpened like thorns beneath silk.
"Disadvantaged, huh?"
She paused, then added under her breath, "I'm not against love, Mr. Tomas. But fate is. Mandume already has a fiancée—and she'll protect her future at any cost."
Maria's eyes glinted with restrained venom. "Life is more valuable than love. And if you don't keep your word, if something happens to your daughter because of us—I swear on my son's life—we'll deny it. We are powerful, Mr. Tomas. Nothing is impossible for us. I've stooped this low only because I'm a mother too. I hope you understand."
Tomas clenched his jaw, but remained calm. "We're also powerful. And we have standards—just like any other wealthy family. My daughter's life is at stake, so yes, I will keep my word. I'm ready for this."
"Good," Maria said with a polite smile. "And don't worry about accommodation. It's handled."
"What do you mean?" Tomas asked.
"I know everything about Star's background—including you," Maria said matter-of-factly. "I thought your wife wouldn't like living under the same roof as Star… so as I told you yesterday, Star and Mandume mustn't suspect a thing. For now, you'll stay in a modest hotel—on your own dime, of course—so it doesn't raise her suspicions. Later, you'll move to your new home."
"My house? I was prepared to face my wife with Star," Tomas said, stunned.
"You can't face her yet. And yes, your house," Maria said with cold certainty. "Unfortunately, I couldn't reclaim your old home—the tenants wouldn't move out in time—but I got you a new one. It might even be yours forever."
"That's too much, Mrs. Davids. You've already done enough for my family. A house is something I cannot accept."
Maria's smile faded.
"So… you're not sticking to our agreement?"
"I am. I just don't need a house from you."
She leaned forward, tone turning hard. "Do you remember how we first took Star in? She was homeless. Bullied. The police are watching us, making sure she's properly cared for. So, what do you think they'll say if they see you homeless—again—with Star? We can't let them suspect anything."
Tomas exhaled. "You're talking like this is a threat."
"It's a warning… and an opportunity. For your daughter," Maria said. "Now, give her this drink when you see her. It's her favorite. I made it myself."
Back at the hospital, Star sent Christine a message:
Hi Grandma… Please water the flowers. I'll be home soon.
Christine smiled at the screen, her heart warming.
Tomas arrived shortly after.
"You took long," Star muttered. "I'm suffocating in here."
"I'm just glad you're with me now. Did you get the subscription?"
"Already done. Just help me pack so we can leave."
Her eyes landed on the bottle waiting by the bed.
"Oh, is this for me? I'm thirsty and hangry!" she said, grabbing it.
"Yeah… your mother made it for you," Tomas said quietly.
Star froze mid-sip.
"My mom? She's here?"
Tomas hesitated. "Ms. Maria…"
Star's face twisted. "Ms. Maria?! You could've told me before I drank it!"
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" he asked.
"It's nothing…" she said, swallowing hard. "Let's go."
As they left the hospital, Star wobbled slightly, blinking as the hallway blurred. She managed to hold her balance and slipped into the car.
"I already checked you into a hotel," Maria said from the front seat. "You'll stay there for a week before moving to Otjomuise."
"Otjomuise?" Tomas asked, surprised.
"Yes. That's the only decent area I could find on short notice. It's not a ghetto—it's middle-class, something you couldn't afford. Take it as a token of gratitude."
Tomas stared out the window, voice low and bitter.
"Through Star, I got a house… I'll rule again. But this time, like a true father and husband. Not in a ghetto, no longer under Frieda's thumb. I'm sorry, Daniella… You'll think I ran away. But I hope someday, you'll understand."