Mandume couldn't concentrate. No matter how hard he tried, his mind kept circling back to Star. The worst part? He didn't even have her number.
Frustrated, he grabbed his phone and flung it onto the bed. "Augh, Star, what did I do?!" he yelled into the empty room, raking a hand through his hair.
Bonita, meanwhile, had been watching her brother closely. His worry for Star wasn't just casual concern—it ran deeper. A realization settled over her like a storm cloud. If Star thought she could play with Mandume's emotions, she was dead wrong. Bonita knew she had to teach her a lesson.
At Tomas' house, Louisa lay unconscious, overwhelmed by the weight of stress and depression. When she finally woke, the world around her was a blur. She stumbled toward the kitchen, splashing cold water onto her face until her vision cleared. The house was eerily silent. It took her a moment to recall the events of the night before—the arguments, the threats, the heartbreak. But something felt off.
She glanced at the clock. 1 PM.
Panic struck her. "Where is my daughter? Where is my Star?" she cried out, her voice breaking. She rushed to the door, only to find it locked—from the outside. Tomas had trapped her in.
Star knew Tomas was at work, so she took the opportunity to visit her mother. She clutched her spare key tightly as she neared the house. As she approached, a muffled sound reached her ears—a voice, cracked with desperation.
Mom?
She knocked. "Mom?"
"Star? Is that you?" Louisa's voice quivered, thick with tears.
"Yes, Mom, it's me." Star quickly unlocked the door.
The moment the door swung open, Louisa rushed forward, enveloping Star in a crushing hug, as if she hadn't seen her in years.
"Oh, my Star, where did you go this morning? Listen, I might be angry that you're pregnant, but you don't have to leave the house, okay? I will fight against Tomas at any cost—he cannot separate a mother and her daughter," Louisa whispered fiercely, holding her tighter.
Star gently pulled back, scanning her mother's face. "Mom, did Tomas hurt you?"
Louisa shook her head. "No, he didn't, and he never will. But after what you told me last night, I have to deal with him. You freshened up already? Sit, let me make breakfast for you. You must be late for school."
Star's heart clenched. Something was wrong.
"Mom, what happened? Are you feeling sick? Do you have a headache?" Star asked, her voice laced with concern. She grasped her mother's wrist, leading her to her room.
Louisa frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Shhh," Star hushed her. She handed her a painkiller. "Close your eyes and relax for thirty minutes, okay?"
"But you're late for school—"
"Mom, please. Do this for me. Just thirty minutes."
Reluctantly, Louisa nodded, lying down.
While she rested, Star slipped into the kitchen, preparing pancakes and tea. She set the table carefully, ensuring everything was perfect. When the time was up, she gently woke her mother.
"Feeling better?" Star asked softly.
Louisa blinked, sitting up. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to tell me something?"
"Mom, why do you think I'm late for school?"
Louisa sighed. "Because it's morning, of course. Or… aren't you going to school today?"
Star's heart ached. "Mom, I'm already back from school. It's 2 PM." She held up her phone.
Louisa's face drained of color. "What? But I just woke up! How did I sleep for so long?"
"You blanked out from shock, Mom. That's why you look so pale," Star said gently.
Louisa rubbed her temples. "Is something wrong? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Star hesitated. "Promise me you won't panic?"
"Star, just tell me."
Star took a deep breath. "Tomas told me to leave."
Louisa's jaw tightened. "I remember. But you're not leaving."
"Mom… I already left."
"What?" Louisa gasped.
Star's voice wavered. "Tomas has a gun, Mom. Last night, he dragged me outside, held it to my head, and said if I didn't leave, one of us would die."
Louisa's body went rigid. "What?! Is Tomas insane? Where did he even get a gun?"
"I don't know. It's old and damaged at the muzzle, but that doesn't mean he won't use it." Star reached for her mother's hands. "Mom, don't worry about me. I'll find a job—maybe a domestic one. I'll study and come back for you. We just need to be strong."
Louisa gripped her daughter's hands tightly. "Where will you live? Did you even think about what this does to me?"
"Mom, I didn't choose to leave. This isn't the time to ask questions—we have to focus. If we waste time being angry, Tomas is already planning his next move."
Louisa's eyes burned with fury. "Enough is enough. I tolerated him as a wife, but as a mother, I won't. You're not going anywhere."
"Mom, Tomas isn't a child. When he pointed that gun at me, it wasn't just a threat—it was a warning. We need to be careful. We need a plan."
Louisa exhaled sharply. "Where are you staying?"
"The external library at school. It's open 24/7. Security is there, and other students stay too. In the meantime, I'll look for work. Also, you need a phone—we need to stay in touch."
Louisa wiped her tears and disappeared into her room. When she returned, she handed Star a thick throw blanket and a small bundle of money—her savings.
Tears welled in her eyes as she placed them in Star's hands. "I trust you, my child. But promise me you'll be strong."
Star smiled through her own tears, gripping her mother's hands. "I will, Mom. My star won't dim."
Louisa sobbed, pulling her daughter into one last embrace.
"Now wipe your tears, Mom," Star whispered. "We have to focus."