Monica stormed into Nathan's room, her eyes flaring with a mixture of hurt and frustration.
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "What now? Why are you swelling like a balloon?"
"You didn't talk to me today," Monica shot back. "I understand you've been through a lot—but that doesn't mean you get to shut me out."
Nathan softened. "Kiddo... I'm sorry. I got carried away."
Then, as if to change the subject, he asked, "How was your getaway?"
Monica handed him a gift box without a word.
"What's this?" he asked, puzzled.
"Open it," she said.
Nathan tore the paper, revealing a knitted sweater.
"You finished it?" His eyes lit up. "I'm overwhelmed."
"You've officially become my model," she teased. "This one's on the house."
"Mmm, nice job," Nathan grinned as he pulled it over his head, striking exaggerated model poses while Monica giggled and took photos.
Just then, Betty barged in, holding a gold medal like it was evidence of a crime.
"Care to explain what this is?" she asked sternly.
Nathan blinked. "A gold medal…? You don't know what that is?"
"Oh Mom, you found it." Monica's voice dropped. "Lucky it didn't get trashed."
Betty's voice cut like glass. "Monica, knitting is a passion—not a career. Throwing away all your academic achievements is like placing a curse on your future."
"Enrolling me in school was curse enough," Monica snapped. "I love knitting and I'll always knit. If you won't support me like a mother should, then my brother will."
"Aunty," Nathan said firmly, "Monica's been a straight-A student since day one. What more do you want?"
"I want her to stop chasing this obsession that will ruin her life. If you weren't feeding it, she'd have dropped this nonsense by now," Betty barked.
"Oh, so signing me up for quiz competitions behind my back wasn't enough?" Monica's voice trembled with restrained fury. "Now you're here taunting me instead of congratulating me? Wow, Mom… just wow."
"How do I congratulate you when I found the medal in the trash bin?" Betty snapped.
"I missed my getaway with my friends because of that stupid quiz. School is torture enough—please don't add to my misery!" Monica yelled before storming out.
Nathan glared. "Really, Aunty? Was ruining her night worth it?" Betty, stung by the remark, turned on her heel and left.
In the quiet of their bedroom, Betty tossed the medal on the dresser with disgust.
"A gold medal…" Adams looked up from his book. "Monica Shikongo again? Did she have another quiz?"
"I found it in her trash. Can you imagine?" Betty fumed.
"Maybe we should just give her space to be herself," Adams said gently. "She's an A student, love. We should be proud—unlike Daniels, she's never given us a reason to worry."
"I'm not pressuring her," Betty argued. "She's throwing her future away. If the principal hadn't called, I wouldn't have known she even won."
"Daniels may be average," Adams said thoughtfully, "but he works hard. Always studying, always dreaming of becoming an astronaut. Monica? She's brilliant—but she's coasting."
"She's wasting her brilliance," Betty snapped. "She doesn't take books seriously anymore. All she cares about is knitting."
Adams touched her hand. "They're twins, but they're not the same. Different hearts, different gifts. Just be calm, my love. Monica knows what she's doing. If she stumbles, we'll catch her."
Betty sighed, the fight draining from her. "I'll always help her—but not in the wrong."
"Let's not fight tonight, babe," Adams said. "We just got married after so many years of struggle."
"Don't stress, love," she murmured, her anger softening. "I just need a second meal... but you're angry."
Adams chuckled. "No, I'm just hungry for peace." Betty smiled.
Elsewhere in the house, Catty stormed into Cinthia's room and threw herself onto the bed in a silent sulk. Cinthia, mid-way through removing her makeup, gave her a sharp glance.
"And what's that about?"
"I'm so mad at you," Catty snapped.
"Why? What did I do?"
"You ruined my moment," Catty hissed. "Nate proposed to me tonight. He was going to announce it to the family—but your stupid video ruined everything."
Cinthia's mouth dropped open. "You're not serious. My bestie's getting married?!"
Catty folded her arms. "He asked me like I was one of his employees. 'So will you marry me,'" she mimicked.
"And you actually said yes? Aww, my poor bestie." Cinthia laughed and hugged her.
"I mean, I'm happy," Catty admitted, "but still…"
"Well, your years of crushing finally paid off," Cinthia said, wiping away a tear of laughter.
"I won't just be your friend now—I'll be your sister-in-law too," Catty grinned.
"I'm still enjoying my youth," Cinthia said. "Marriage can wait. I want to be front row at his wedding. And I'll remind him how he once swore he'd never fall in love again."
"I don't think it's love, though," Catty murmured.
"Yeah, I know Nate. But it's a big step, babes," Cinthia said seriously.
"He must've been really hurt in the past…"
"Nate's love is rare," Cinthia said, quieter now. "When he loves, it's with everything. You're lucky, Catty. He may not say it the way you want—but that kind of love? It's not ordinary."
Catty's eyes brimmed with doubt. "But will he ever see me… as a wife? A lover? Will he ever love me the way I love him?"
Cinthia didn't speak. She simply pulled her best friend into a hug, holding her close.