Maria sat silently by Bonita's bedside, watching her daughter sleep with tear-streaked cheeks.
"If it weren't for you, Star…" she whispered under her breath, voice cold as steel. "My game would've never touched my child. For that, I'll make you pay."
She gently brushed Bonita's hair back and began humming an old lullaby, one she hadn't sung in years. Bonita stirred, blinking groggily.
"Mom?" she murmured.
Maria froze. "Oh… uh…"
"What are you doing here?" Bonita asked, sitting up.
"There's something I need to tell you," Maria replied, her voice tight.
"If it's about harming Star again, save it," Bonita snapped, standing and walking toward the bathroom. "I've had enough today."
"Bonita, wait. It's not that. You need to understand—"
"What, that you're planning to drug someone again? Like you did to dad?" Bonita's voice echoed from behind the bathroom door. "Tell me, Mom… are you even human?"
Maria's face darkened. She stormed into the bathroom. "What did you just say? I'm your mother!"
"Oh? And what were you when you gave me away like trash?" Bonita fired back. "Don't bring your twisted plans to me again, because next time you do, I swear—I'll make you regret ever having me."
She shoved past Maria and stormed out, leaving her mother frozen in disbelief.
"…Did Bonita just walk out on me?" Maria muttered to herself, stunned.
Meanwhile, Star excused herself quietly and slipped into her room, locking the door behind her. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
On her bed lay the gun.
"I should be dead by now," she whispered, staring at the weapon. "Or locked in madam's hellhole of a kingdom."
She picked it up, then set it carefully inside a drawer.
"God, please watch over me," she prayed, then changed her clothes and headed back to the living room.
Bonita's face lit up as she entered and saw a familiar figure.
"Grandma?!" she gasped and ran into Christine's arms.
"Oh, my sweet girl, look how grown you are," Christine said warmly.
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"Wanted to surprise you," Christine smiled.
"It's been what—five years? Since Dad…" Bonita's voice faltered.
"Yes, sweetheart. But I'm here now. Catch me up—what's been going on?"
Bonita blinked away the flood of emotions.
"Oh, you know… just school," she said, pouring herself a glass of wine.
Christine eyed her carefully. "Have you been crying?"
"No," Bonita lied, too quickly.
"Boni, what's wrong?" Mandume asked, entering.
"Nothing," she said, waving it off.
"Your eyes are red," he said. "Like you've been crying for hours."
"It was pepper. Got in my eyes while cooking," Bonita said with a nervous laugh. "Washed it off and took a nap."
Mandume frowned, unconvinced. "Why didn't you go to school today?"
"Online class. Just one. It's Friday," Bonita replied.
Star returned and sat beside her. Bonita shifted uncomfortably.
"Are you okay?" Star asked gently.
"Yes," Bonita said quickly. "Perfectly fine."
Christine watched the tension between the two girls but said nothing. Instead, she smiled at them.
"It's so beautiful to see you all here. I've missed this," she said. "Mandume, what are you up to now?"
"I'm in my third year at NUST—architecture," he replied proudly.
"Like father, like son. Planning to take over his company?" Christine asked.
"Of course. If Dad were here, I think he'd be proud," Mandume said.
"He would be. That's why I'm here," Christine said. "And you, Angel?"
"Second-year economics," Bonita answered.
"My little billionaires in training!" Christine beamed. "Just like your father—he did both architecture and economics."
"Wow… he was really smart," Bonita said quietly.
"A whole genius," Star added, sipping her wine and giving Mandume a look he caught and returned with a wink.
"And Star?" Christine asked.
"Second-year electronics engineering."
Bonita turned, stunned. "Star? Engineering?"
"Yeah. Problem?" Star replied, arching a brow.
"No—just wow," Bonita said. "You locked that in. That's amazing."
"I'm proud of all of you," Christine said, eyes shining. "But hear me—don't let anyone talk you out of your dreams. When they say 'that course is too hard' or 'you won't get a job,' ignore them. You've got something louder: your own voice."
"Facts," Star said.
"You're the only one who won't betray you, won't hate you. Trust yourself," Christine said.
"Couldn't agree more," Mandume added.
"You have no idea how proud I am. And your father—he's still out there. I've made moves. That's why I'm here. We will find him."
"You're the real one, Grandma," Mandume said, raising his glass.
"Cheers to that," Christine said with a smile.
As she left to set up her room, the rest slowly dispersed. Mandume and Star returned to their rooms. Bonita remained, staring blankly at the TV.
But her mind wasn't on the screen.
It was spinning—with secrets, anger, and the heavy weight of a fractured legacy.