Catty carried the koeksisters she had made with Emily to Nathan's room.The room was romantically decorated — heart-shaped red petals scattered over the bed, candles flickering warmly.
"Wow!" Emily gasped in awe. She ran and jumped onto Nathan's bed, ruining the design.Catty shouted angrily, startling the little girl. Emily froze, scared.
Downstairs, where Evan was absent from the table, Kuku turned to Vicky."There's no engagement," she said softly.
Vicky's heart sank. That engagement had been her only hope of getting the money for her mother's surgery.
"But we can compensate for the inconvenience we caused you," Kuku continued kindly. "I know you have a family to care for. I'll have Nate sign you a cheque."
"I can add to that," Jonas began, but Vicky cut him off."We're fine. I have a job. We'll manage."
In Nathan's room, Emily stood by the ruined petals."I'm sorry. I jumped on your bed and ruined it," she said quietly before running off.
Catty was still fuming. She called Nathan, but he didn't hear the phone ring — his headphones were blasting music as he worked in his studio.
Meanwhile, Vicky found Evan sitting in the living room."What were you thinking, asking Uncle that question?" she scolded.
"He's responsible for our situation, Vicky," Evan replied, bitter.
"Yes, but still — he's my client's friend. We should remain respectful, even to our enemies."
"He doesn't deserve respect," Evan muttered.
"Maybe. But he called me Paige."
Evan froze. "He did!?"
"Yes. And I'm going to get answers. Don't try to stop me."
"Now?"
"No. He's probably gone by now. I'll ask him tomorrow."
"Fine. Are we done here? We should go."
"I need to do one thing first... Wait — where's Emily?"
"I thought she was with you."
"She went to the kitchen for water. Go find her," Vicky said, leaving for Nathan's room.
Just then, Daniels walked in and froze when he saw Evan."What did I miss?" he asked.
Adam and Betty entered.
"Daniels, where were you?" Betty asked.
"I went out with some friends, Mom. It's not a big deal."
"It is a big deal," Adam said. "Next time, call us. Anyway, you, your mom, and Monica — we have some fun to catch up on."
"It's not a trap, right?" Daniels teased.
"No, no. Just go freshen up," Betty said.
"Did something happen? Why is he here?" Daniels asked, nodding at Evan.
"Oh, he's with his sister — the girl Nate hospitalized earlier today," Betty replied.
"Oh… they came for more," Daniels said, laughing as he left. Evan's jaw tightened in fury until Monica touched his fist gently.
"Easy there, tiger," she whispered. He unclenched his hand and went quiet.
Vicky returned to the dining room where only Jonas remained, waiting for Sara, who was speaking softly with Kuku.
Vicky passed him, but Jonas stopped her."Paige, if you're still angry, I understand. But you need to—"
"…understand that we don't know each other," Vicky interrupted coldly. "I don't know why Nathaniel cancelled the engagement, but I'm glad I don't have to see your face again."
Catty overheard and flared up."Wow! You're really glad he cancelled the engagement, huh?"
Vicky froze.
"Dad, this is the girl trying to take over my family — and I hate her! So much that I cancelled her before Nathan cancelled the engagement!" Catty shouted.
Jonas realized neither of them knew each other — a small relief."Baby, don't make a scene."
"I'm not. Nathan's just upset, but soon we'll be married. And you know what? I want you there — just to watch you burn. Nathan is mine! Get that through your thick skull!" Catty snapped.
"Why is she calling you 'dad'?" Vicky asked.
"Leave my father out of this. Talk to me!" Catty retorted.
Cinthia appeared and pulled Catty away."Grandma's already mad at you, and now you're shouting at guests?"
"This woman just said she's glad Nate cancelled the engagement!" Catty yelled.
"Come on, let's go give Nathan his surprise," Cinthia said firmly, leading her out.
"Why was she calling you 'dad'?" Vicky asked again once they were gone.
"She's… my friend's daughter. I adopted her years ago after her father died. She's known me all her life, so she calls me that," Jonas said softly.
"You don't even deserve to be called dad," Vicky said sharply. "You have no emotions. You only ever think about yourself."
"I get that… and I'm sorry," Jonas replied, his eyes glistening.
"Sorry won't bring my father back. You had no mercy on a two-year-old who never knew a father's love."
"I'm just glad you're alive," Jonas said quietly.
"I need to talk to you — something important. I'll call your business number tomorrow," Vicky said and left.
Emily wandered the mansion and accidentally entered Nathan's music room. Her eyes widened when she saw him."Mr. Nate!" she squealed, jumping onto his shoulders.
"Oh my goodness, Emily?" Nathan said, laughing.
"This room is so cool! I'll have one like this someday!"
"Yes, you will. How are you even here?"
"My sister and brother came for dinner," Emily said.
Nathan remembered Monica's words about a special friend."Kiddo really got my back!" he chuckled.
"…and I'll get to introduce you two!" Emily said excitedly.
"Yes, I'd love that!"
"But another lady yelled at me," Emily added.
"Who?" Nathan asked, surprised.
Before she could answer, Cinthia entered."Nate, Grandma wants to see you in your room."
She then went to Catty."What did he say?" Catty asked nervously.
"Did you yell at Vicky's sister too?"
"Yeah — she ruined my decoration! Just because she helped me make the koeksisters doesn't mean she can do whatever she wants."
"You yelled at a child?" Cinthia snapped.
"Her speech isn't like a child's! And how do you even know?"
"She's in there telling Nathan everything."
"What the heck?!" Catty gasped.
"You know what? I'm out, Catty. You keep messing things up. Work on yourself," Cinthia said, walking off.
"You can't just leave me now!" Catty cried.
"I'm sorry," Cinthia said and left. Catty broke down, sobbing in regret.
"Who yelled at you?" Nathan asked.
"Never mind. I was in the wrong," Emily said gently.
"Okay then. So, when do I meet your sister?"
"Stay here! I'll get her!" Emily said, dashing out.
Nathan smiled. "While she's gone, I better go face Grandma's lecture."
He left the room — just as Vicky walked down the hall.
"Is this kiddo's surprise? Because I'm surprised," Nathan said with a half-smile at Vicky.
Vicky's face hardened. "Don't act with me."
"What?"
"You cancelled the engagement," she said flatly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."
"That's not the point! You have feelings for me while still with your fiancée — and now you cancel the engagement?"
"What are you even talking about?" Nathan asked, confused.
"This!" Vicky snapped, showing him a gift box containing a dress and a love letter.
Nathan's brow furrowed. "Vicky…"
"Don't even start! Your girlfriend already thinks I'm stealing you."
"That's not true. I swear I don't know where that came from!"
"Stop lying to me. First it was a kiss, now this?"
Before he could reply, Emily appeared.
"Why are you pointing fingers at my friend?" she asked.
"She's being rude," Nathan said.
"Are you calling my sister rude?" Emily shot back.
"This is your sister?" Nathan said, stunned.
Catty sat on the stairs, eyes red. Sara approached."Are you alright?"
Catty stood to leave.
"I'm your father's wife, not his mistress," Sara said firmly.
"You replaced my mom?" Catty asked coldly.
"No. Your mother is still your mother. I'm Jonas's wife."
"Then why are you here?"
"You're so full of yourself," Sara sighed.
"What?"
"I came to tell you that Mrs. Shikongo agreed to help your relationship with Nate. And now I regret even mentioning it."
"I already ruined everything."
"Listen, I don't know what's going on in your family, but your behavior toward your in-laws is on you."
"I didn't do anything wrong."
"I thought so too… until now," Sara said.
"At least you're honest," Catty muttered.
"No, Catherine — this is Namibia, not Spain. In this house, power, reputation, and dignity matter. If you want to be a Shikongo, act like one."
"Okay, okay — don't yell. I made a big surprise. He'll like it and forgive me."
"Just like that?"
"Yes. It worked with my friends in Spain, it'll work on him."
"What kind of surprise?" Sara asked, curious.
"His favorite food, flowers, candles, an apology letter — a big 'sorry' board. Very romantic!" Catty said dreamily, picturing Nathan's reaction:
'I'm sorry I hurt you. I love you. I want to marry you.'
"…and you?" Sara asked.
"I'll just stand there, looking gorgeous," Catty said smugly.
"You can't be serious."
"What now?"
"You need to apologise in person. None of that will move him."
"I'm not facing him."
"You know the Shikongos aren't greedy, right? Especially Nathan."
"I'm not greedy either."
"The only apology that works is one from the heart," Sara said softly.
"I'm really sorry. I just can't face telling my friends that my engagement was cancelled."
"So that's it — you want the marriage, not Nathan?"
"I need Nathan," Catty said, eyes glistening. "We're different, but I love him. I can't hurt him or this family's reputation. I just want him to see the real me — the one trying to change."
Sara smiled gently. "Then go tell him that. Now."
"Do you think it'll work?"
"It has to. Go — before he sees your surprise."
Nathan and Vicky stood awkwardly, Emily between them.
"Why are you two fighting?" she asked.
They both forced smiles.
"I don't want to know — but Vicky, this is my friend Mr. Nate, and this is my sister," Emily said.
"He sure is your friend," Vicky muttered.
"I can't believe she's your sister," Nathan said.
"Why? Because you're obsessed with me?" Vicky shot back.
"She can't have a sister who talks nonsense!" Nathan replied.
"You—" Vicky started, but Emily yelled:
"Enough! Both of you!"
They froze.
"I know you're fighting. But this is my sister and my friend. So hug it out and be friends."
"What?!" Vicky said.
"Hug him and say sorry," Emily ordered.
"I'm not hugging him," Vicky said.
"Me neither," Nathan replied.
"Fine. Then I'm not your friend or your sister!" Emily said, pouting.
Vicky sighed, then suddenly hugged Nathan. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
Nathan hugged her back — and for a moment, he was lost in her warmth.
"Nathaniel?" Vicky said softly.
But he didn't move.
Cinthia passed by, watching in disbelief."What is happening to Nate these days?" she muttered.
"That's a long hug," Emily teased.
They finally pulled apart. Vicky felt something strange — like she could feel Nathan's emotions through the embrace. She didn't understand it.
Nathan left silently.
"Come back! I'm not done!" Emily called after him, but he was gone.
"Alright," Vicky said, exhaling. "Go to the living room while I talk to him. I promise I won't yell."
Emily nodded and walked away.