Star slowly stirred, her eyelids heavy as the world around her came into focus. A soft silhouette sat by her side—a figure too familiar to be imagined.
She blinked again, clearer now.
"…Mom?" she gasped.
Without another word, she flung herself into Louisa's arms, emotion choking her voice. "Mom, how did you get here? I missed you so much…"
"I missed you too, Star," Louisa whispered, tears catching in her throat. "It's been too long. But here you are—my Star. My bright, shining girl."
Star pressed her face into her mother's shoulder. "God did it again... I love you, Mom."
Louisa smiled, brushing Star's hair back gently. "I love you more. How are you feeling?"
"I'm better now," Star said, sighing. "Seeing you... I feel whole again."
Louisa's gaze dropped to the bandaged wound on her daughter's head, and her eyes welled with fresh tears. Louisa mentions Tomas told her everything even about the baby's identity.
"Star, why?"
"Oh, Mom…" Star began, noticing. "I'm sorry. I didn't tell you what happened. I didn't even know how to."
"No, sweetheart, it's okay," Louisa said, holding her hand. "Tomas told me everything. That's why I'm here. But look at you—grown up now, already hiding things from your mother."
"I wasn't hiding anything," Star murmured. "I just didn't know how to explain something I don't even understand myself."
Louisa smiled warmly. "It's all right, love. You don't have to worry anymore. Your superhero mom is here now."
They both giggled softly just as Tomas entered, balancing trays of food.
"Dinner is served," he announced with a grin.
"Oh, Dad!" Star beamed. "I'm starving."
She followed her parents to the dining table.
"You have all these dishes to yourself," Tomas said, laying out an impressive spread.
"Tomas, this is too much," Louisa protested, overwhelmed.
"Dad…" Star said, pausing mid-step as she looked around. The ambiance was elegant. The smell of fresh linen and polished wood. "Where… are we?"
"This place… the food…" she said, confusion settling in her eyes.
Tomas motioned for her to sit. "Star, let me explain."
She sat down cautiously, brows furrowed.
"We're in a hotel," Tomas said.
"A hotel?" Star repeated. "But how? Can we even afford this? Did something happen? Where did you get the money?"
"I know what you're thinking," Tomas replied calmly. "You're wondering how we can pay for this, whether I'm just Tomas or someone else entirely. But listen—when I saw you like that… after everything that happened… I made a vow. A vow to be your father, not just in name but in action."
He glanced at Louisa and then back to Star. "I've been saving. Every cent I could. I've bought us a new house. It's still being finalized, but for now, we're staying here. It's just for a week—until we move in."
Star stared at him, disbelief flickering across her face.
"You bought a house? Where do you even work, Dad? How much do you make?"
Tomas chuckled softly. "Let's just say I've made sacrifices. And I'm not alone in this. Louisa and I pooled everything we had to rebuild this family."
"Like old times," Louisa added gently.
"Old times?" Star echoed, searching her mother's eyes.
"Yes, my love," Louisa said. "Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Star nodded slowly. "Yeah… but where's this new house?"
"In Otjomuise. A brick house. Safe and peaceful."
Star's smile faded. "Otjomuise? But Dad… Goreangab holds all our memories. That place made us who we are."
Tomas frowned. "All those memories were painful."
"Some," Star agreed. "But it's also where I watched you two fight like cats and dogs, then love like soulmates. Where Mom taught me strength. Where neighbors didn't call the police during chaos—they grabbed chairs and popcorn."
Tomas chuckled. "Only you could call that beautiful."
"In Otjomuise," Star continued, "we'll be surrounded by rich strangers with no patience. The moment you argue, they'll call the cops."
"We won't fight anymore," Louisa promised.
"Oh, really?" Star raised a brow, teasing. "So, there's plenty of water? Enough food? A maid, maybe?"
They all burst into laughter.
"You really remembered all our arguments in order?" Tomas said through laughter.
Star watched them with misty eyes. God brought us together. Laughing, healed, and whole. And soon, the heir to this family will arrive. My dream wasn't to change the world—just to change my father's heart. Frieda did that better than I ever could. Thank you, God. Thank you for everything.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Tomas's serious tone. "Star… one more thing. You must not meet Mandume."
Her face fell. "Why not? What does Mandume have to do with this?"
"I know you love him," Tomas said, "but just stay away from that house. At least until after you give birth. Please. Trust me."
"But Dad—how am I in this condition because of that house?"
"You'll understand soon. Just please… trust my word," he said. Star opened her mouth to question further, but Louisa gently held her hand. She fell silent.
Meanwhile, back at the house...
Mandume stormed into Star's room, a small gift tucked behind his back.
"Star?" he called, but the room was empty.
Bonita walked into the living room. "Mandume? You're back?"
"Where's Star?" he asked, already sensing the answer.
"She's not here," Bonita said quietly.
"Mr. Tomas took her," Christine added as she came down the stairs. "He said she's not safe here anymore."
Mandume's heart dropped. "What? So she's… gone?"
"She's not coming back," Bonita said flatly.
Mandume clenched his fists. His mind raced—until he remembered the DNA report.
"No. Star must stay with us," he said sharply, startling everyone.
Christine's eyes flickered with realization. "Yes… she will. But for now, let her father play his part."
"Grandma, Star is—" Mandume began.
"Pregnant," Christine said firmly. "And she needs care. Her father is trying."
"That man? He just changed overnight? He has no house—he has that wife. What if something happens to her?" Mandume argued.
"Relax," Olivia said gently. "Mom has taken care of everything."
Mandume raised an eyebrow. "You're surprisingly close to Mom, more than her own kids."
Bonita rolled her eyes. "So close she might as well be adopted."
"Yes, I am close to her," Olivia said proudly. "And no—she would never allow Star to go off with people she didn't trust. You need to believe that."
Mandume looked down. "Mom didn't like Star staying here…"
But his words were lost in the heaviness of the moment.