Star sat beside Mandume—too close. She nudged him slightly with her elbow. He turned to her, puzzled.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Can you give me Rudra's number?" she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Mandume raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I… I want to tell him something. Confidential."
His eyes narrowed. Was it suspicion? Or insecurity?
"Please… I really need it," she added, folding her arms, trying not to look too desperate.
Mandume studied her face for a moment, then relented. "Okay… sure."
He gave her the number, and she left without another word.
Meanwhile, Maria found the gun. She was just about to slip out with it when Star re-entered the room. Maria instantly turned, pointing the weapon at her like a startled animal.
Star froze mid-step. "Uh oh," she said, wide-eyed but unfazed. "Mendu, look what madam is holding," she added mockingly, speaking to an imaginary Mandume.
The name shook Maria. She flinched, panic lighting her eyes. Startled, she dropped the gun. It skidded under the bed.
Star dashed past her and grabbed it before Maria could recover.
"You're really not hard to trick," Star said, holding the gun firmly. Maria's face twisted in disbelief and fury.
"This moment—this gun—it's symbolic," Star murmured, circling Maria like a lioness with a captured prey. "All those years you tried to break me... and now, just when you thought you were winning, a snap of the fingers reversed it. Mmmh."
Maria swallowed hard.
"I didn't mean to disrespect you, madam. But what other choice did I have? Games are all you understand," Star continued. "I wish I could just hand this back to you right now."
"Why are you involved in my family's affairs?" Maria snapped.
"Because I live here now," Star said, calm but cold.
Maria's temper flared. "You're dumb, stupid, and too proud for your own good. Don't be surprised if someone clips your wings."
Star smirked. "They won't. My wings are big... and magical. I won't let anyone touch them."
Maria looked confused. The gun was still in Star's hand.
"What do you want, Star?"
"Bring Mr. Davids home. Safe and sound. I already told you how. If you've got another way, fine—just do it. Then you'll get your toy back."
Outside, Bonita had just left the living room to use the toilet near Star's room. On her way back, she heard Star speaking—something about the clinic. She paused. Mandume was still in the living room, so who was Star talking to?
She crept to the window and peeped through. Maria's shadow loomed. Bonita leaned closer, listening.
"Don't you dare, Star," Maria hissed, voice low and venomous.
"Or what, madam?" Star challenged, unbothered. "I've never met an evil wife like you. How—"
"Star!" Maria snapped and raised her hand to strike—but it was caught in mid-air.
Maria gasped. Bonita stood there, her face blazing with fury.
"Boni—Star is—" Maria stammered.
"Shhh," Bonita silenced her.
She didn't let go. Instead, she yanked her mother out of the room like a rag doll. Star, stunned, quickly hid the gun under her bedsheet. Bonita returned.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
"I'm so sorry about Mom… I'm really sorry," she said and hugged Star, who stood frozen, shocked to the bone.
Bonita laid her down and tucked the sheet around her before leaving.
In her room, Maria was fuming.
"BONI!" she shouted.
Bonita appeared in the doorway, arms crossed.
"Yes, Ma?" she said coolly.
Maria stormed toward her. "What did you do in there? Supporting Star now?"
"So what if I do? At least she's not evil. And why were you going to slap her? Because she knows your secret?"
Bonita's tone had teeth.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she continued sarcastically. "Let me guess—you tried to inject Star with madness again, and she escaped. Now you're scared she'll expose you. Aw, poor Mom."
"What's wrong with you, Bonita?" Maria cried. "You promised to help me! We were in this battle together. Star is a freak—she'll destroy us all. She even said Mandume is the father of her unborn child!"
She gripped Bonita's shoulders, desperate.
Bonita shoved her back. "After everything—you're still lying? Still manipulating? You're a cheater. A fraud. And now, I dare you to watch your daughter expose you."
She paused, then added, "And if Mandume is the father… so what? As long as there's truth and love, evil like yours can't connect. Get that printed in your mind, Mom."
Bonita turned, tears burning down her cheeks, and walked away.