Tonia entered the room clapping, her hands echoing like a drumroll of judgment.
Ruben slipped away just in time.
"Oh my gosh, you scared the life out of me!" Vicky exclaimed, her hand instinctively flying to her chest.
Tonia raised an eyebrow, sly as a cat. "I saw that look... Don't tell me you're falling."
Vicky stiffened. Nathan's voice replayed in her mind: "Are you in love with me?"
She coughed, choking slightly on nothing but air. "Love? No, that's just... Sam's influence. You two are blessed, that's all."
"Changing the topic won't change your destiny," Tonia said with that grin that always spelled trouble.
"Oh, there we go again," Vicky muttered, turning away, flustered.
Meanwhile, at the Shikongo Mansion
Dinner was served. Plates clinked, laughter rose—but Monica sat apart, her gaze dark and narrowed on Catty. The air thickened with silent disdain.
"I can't believe I'll be stuck with this witch for life," Monica whispered under her breath.
She spotted Aune carrying a tray of drinks toward the dining table. A wicked idea bloomed.
"Aune," she called sweetly, her voice drenched in poison disguised as sugar.
Aune approached, and Monica leaned in, whispering her devil's order: spill the drink on Catty. Make it look accidental.
Aune hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "I can't do that..."
Monica's smile didn't fade, but her eyes sharpened, manipulative and cold. "I'm sure you can."
Moments later, the tray tilted. Juice splashed onto Catty's dress. Gasps rippled around the table.
Catty stood abruptly, face momentarily flashing with rage—but then she froze. A mall memory flickered in her mind, reminding her of restraint.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I—I didn't mean to, I swear!" Aune stammered in terror.
Catty took a breath, her voice calm, almost too calm. "It's alright. No need to panic. I'll go change."
She walked off, but not before catching Monica's smug stare.
"Enjoy your victory while it lasts," Catty whispered under her breath. "When it's my turn, you won't even breathe without my permission."
Back at the table, the elders resumed chatting.
"Catty's really kind. A rude girl would've slapped Aune by now," Sofia commented.
"Yes, and she's obedient too. I just hope she's right for my Nate," Kuku Veronica said.
Betty chimed in, more skeptical. "Everyone seems like the perfect daughter-in-law—until they officially become one."
"What do you mean, Betty?" Kuku asked, frowning.
"Are you saying Catty's acting?" Sofia pressed.
"No, no—I'm just speaking generally," Betty replied diplomatically.
"I trust Mom's choice. And Nate's," Sofia said. "I don't know Catty well, but she seems alright."
Daniels scoffed. "Last time Nate brought home a girl for marriage, she was caught kissing someone else on their engagement day."
Monica's ears perked up. A golden opportunity.
"Nate's my brother," she said loudly. "And I'm telling you, Catty is not right for him."
Kuku Veronica stared, stunned. Betty shot Monica a warning look, subtle but sharp.
"I know I'm younger and I shouldn't interrupt, but please, just let me speak. Kuku, you always say destiny matters—that couples are written in the stars. But Catty? She's not in Nate's story. She hates her parents. Doesn't even talk to them. You taught me respect no matter the pain. You taught me love no matter the hurt. Aunt Sofia, you always say love is medicine. But do you see any of that healing in Nate right now?"
The room fell into a contemplative silence.
Then a voice cut through it.
"You're right," Catty said.
Heads turned. Even Monica looked confused.
"You're absolutely right," Catty continued. "I hate my parents, and that's not healthy. Nate isn't happy. He just wants this over with, and I understand. I know he chose me because I was there, not because I was the one."
She turned to Kuku Veronica. "So, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going home. Nate needs space—to think, to feel, to figure out what he really wants. And he can't do that with me in the way."
"Catty, wait—" Betty interjected.
"I understand, Aunt Betty. I'm not walking away out of pride. I'm doing this because I care about Nate. Because I'm his friend. And friends don't force happiness—they make space for it."
"I'll leave tomorrow."
As she walked past Monica, she paused and looked her dead in the eye.
"I may not have started this game," she said, voice cool and controlled, "but I make the rules."
Monica blinked. Her victory soured instantly.