Mandume arrived at the location Bonita had sent him. As he stepped out of the car, his eyes locked on a tender scene—Star, clutching a child tightly in her arms. A moment of peace. A rare sight.
Star knelt beside Daniela, brushing a thumb over his cheek.
"When you see Dad and feel upset," she whispered, "just say that prayer we talked about. When you see Mom mistreating him... say the same prayer. And everything will start to change—just the way you hope for. Alright?"
"Okay," Daniela nodded solemnly. "I'll do that."
Just then, Mandume approached, his presence catching Daniela's eye. Instinctively, the boy stepped in front of Star, arms out protectively.
"Hey! Stay back! Who are you?" Daniela demanded, fire in his voice.
Star burst into laughter. "Wow... he's really about to beat you up."
Without hesitation, Daniela grabbed a nearby stone and hurled it. Mandume ducked—barely.
"Hey!" Mandume shouted.
"No, no!" Star said quickly, reaching for Daniela's hand. "I was joking. He's not a threat, he's..."
"I'm your brother-in—" Mandume began, but Star cut him off with a loud cough.
"Ahem... he's my friend," she said, gently placing her hands on Daniela's shoulders. "So, that makes him your friend too, right?"
Daniela crossed his arms, unconvinced. "You're lucky. I won't let anything happen to my sister."
Star grinned. "Yes! You're my Superman."
Mandume raised a brow. "Is... is he your brother now?"
"Long-lost brother," Star replied with a wink.
"Okay, champ," Star said, ruffling Daniela's hair. "Go inside before Mom starts yelling."
"You promised you'd visit," Daniela reminded.
"And I will. We don't break promises in this family," Star said, kissing his forehead.
Daniela disappeared into the house. As Star waved goodbye with a soft smile, Mandume mimicked her awkwardly. Inside, Daniela found his father shivering on the couch, asleep. He paused, remembering how his father praised him in front of Star. Quietly, he grabbed a blanket from the cupboard and covered his father.
Outside, Star and Mandume walked back toward the car.
"And you?" she asked. "How did you get here?"
"Star... it'll be a mess if Mom finds out Bonita drove," Mandume said.
"I thought so. Bonita looked way too excited," Star said with a smirk.
"Come on, let's get going."
They drove off.
The next morning at breakfast, Mandume sat in silence, his mind trapped in yesterday's memory. Star hadn't come down yet. Christine noticed his blank stare.
"What's the matter, dear? You've been lost in thought since sunrise," she asked.
"Star's life is in danger," Mandume said bluntly.
Gasps echoed around the table.
"What?" Maria cried. "What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, I accompanied her for her ANC and sonography," he began. "The doctor said her placenta is weakening—as if she's been taking abortion pills."
Shock settled like a fog. Maria's face went pale.
"Star's... trying to abort?" Christine asked.
"No, Grandma. I pressed the doctor for more answers. She asked if Star was on any medication, because some drugs can be fatal to pregnancies. I told her Star's on mutism treatment. And then—she hit me with it. Mutism has no pills. No drugs. No medical cure."
Christine blinked, confused. "Wait... Dr. Mathews gave Star those pills?"
"Yes. And those pills must be the abortion drugs. The doctor said it herself."
Maria's voice shook. "How do you know for sure it was Dr. Mathews who gave them? What if Star... what if she really is trying to abort?"
Mandume clenched his jaw. "Mom. The question isn't if—the question is why Dr. Mathews prescribed anything to treat a condition that has no medical treatment. Why would he do that?"
Footsteps echoed. Star descended the stairs, entering the dining room unaware of the storm brewing.
Maria, almost desperately, said, "Look, son... I know you have faith in Star. I know you believe everything she says. But what if she is hiding something? What if the child isn't what she wants?"
"No," Mandume replied, firm. "I've seen how much that child means to her. I confronted Dr. Mathews. Star said she's aware. She told me the truth—he gave her those pills on someone's orders."
The room fell still. Christine's lips parted in disbelief.
"Who would do such a thing?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Bonita's eyes turned toward Maria. Suspicion burned silently behind her gaze.