Maria rummaged through David's documents, searching frantically for a certain letter, but it was nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, Bonita arrived home, not seeing her mother in the living room. She headed upstairs but stopped in shock at the sight of Maria in David's room.
"Mom?"
Maria jumped, visibly startled.
"What are you doing in Dad's room?" Bonita asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"I was just…" Maria stammered.
Bonita narrowed her eyes. "So, Star wasn't hallucinating last night. You were in Dad's room. And didn't you say no one has his keys?"
Maria struggled for an explanation. "I… I just found them and wanted to check if he left any clues about where he went."
"Really?" Bonita scoffed. "Mom, something is wrong. I don't know what it is, but I know it's bad." She slumped onto the floor, feeling overwhelmed.
Maria quickly changed the subject. "What happened at the park?"
Bonita wiped away tears. "Tiffanie broke up with Mandume… she made her choice."
"That's good," Maria said simply.
Bonita shook her head. "Mom, I lost my friend today. You don't understand—I may never see her again. And Mom, please—we don't have to kill Star. I've already lost enough."
Maria sighed. "Come, let's get you to bed."
As she tucked Bonita in, Maria whispered to herself, "Star, you've been here one day, and my daughter is already crying. You'll pay dearly for this."
After Bonita was asleep, Maria resumed her search for the letter but still couldn't find it.
Later, Mandume and Star arrived home, finding Maria watching the news.
"Evening, Mom," Mandume greeted.
"Evening, son. I'm so sorry about what happened with Tiffanie… she's the one losing, not you."
Mandume frowned. "Wait… how does Bonita know?"
"Uh…" Maria hesitated.
"Tiffanie told her," Star quickly interjected.
"Oh. Well, I'm fine," Mandume said, brushing it off and heading to his room.
Maria turned to Star, her gaze filled with simmering hatred.
"Anything wrong, Ma'am?" Star asked innocently. "You look… oh, wait—it must be me." She smirked before heading to her room.
Maria clenched her fists. "You're testing my patience, girl. But you have no idea what's coming."
At dinner, Maria handed out everyone's plate—except Star's.
"Mom, where's Star's food?" Mandume asked.
"Oh, I totally forgot!" Maria exclaimed. "Let me bring it."
Star's heart pounded. She couldn't refuse the meal without raising suspicion. Bonita, too, was nervous—had her mother poisoned it?
Maria returned, smiling. "Here, specially made for you."
"Thank you," Star murmured, forcing herself to act normal.
She lifted a spoonful—but before taking a bite, she suddenly dropped it violently.
"This smells awful! This isn't what you cooked this morning, Ma'am… ugh, I feel sick." Star ran to the sink, pretending to gag.
Maria stiffened. "That's impossible—I used the same ingredients."
Mandume, concerned, reached for Star's food, but Maria swiftly snatched his spoon away.
"No! Uh… maybe it's bad. I'll dispose of it." She grabbed the plate and rushed off.
Star watched, realizing the truth. "She really tried to poison me… but why stop Mandume from eating it? God, thank you for saving me!"
Mandume and Bonita exchanged bewildered glances.
Mandume, worried, shared his food with Star, and the dinner continued.
Meanwhile, Maria fumed. "She was supposed to suffer from a severe allergic reaction… I'll get her next time."