When she opened her eyes, the sound of the alarm on her phone reminded her it had already been two hours since she had fallen asleep. Groggily, she splashed water on her face to wake up, then stood in front of her suitcase. After much deliberation, she pulled out a long skirt and a blouse—a mix of soft pink and black. She wanted to look good today, a little extra effort to boost her spirits.As she applied mascara to her lashes, she set her hair with a blow dryer, leaving it loose. "I like your hair down," she remembered Daniel saying once, and the thought made her cheeks blush as she glanced at herself in the mirror.After finishing her makeup, she slipped into the outfit. The skirt fit perfectly, but the blouse was a challenge—she couldn’t quite button the back. Frustrated, she gave up trying and decided to ask Eva for help. Opening the door, she glanced both ways down the hallway, relieved that Daniel wasn’t around. She quickly made her way to Eva’s room."Hey, Eva!" she greeted, s
After parking the car outside the cabin, Tasha and Daniel got out. It was a full moon night, and the entire cabin glowed softly in the moonlight. As Daniel led Tasha by the hand, her heart began to race, a new fear creeping in—she was alone in the cabin with him. She shuddered, her palms growing sweaty.Daniel unlocked the door, stepped inside, and turned on the lights before letting go of her hand. He moved to the kitchen, grabbed some firewood, and knelt in front of the fireplace, starting a fire."Want some tea?" he asked, standing in front of the growing warmth."No," Tasha whispered, her voice barely audible."How about coffee? It'll help chase away the cold." He offered again."No..." she repeated, fear rising in her chest. She wanted to run straight to her room and lock the door."What's wrong? Did you leave your voice back at the restaurant?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow as he studied her."No..." Tasha stammered, her discomfort clear."You've been lost in thought ever sin
After parking the car outside the cabin, Daniel and Tasha stepped out into the moonlit night. It was the 14th, and the cabin was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. Tasha felt a knot in her stomach as she realized she was alone in the cabin with Daniel. Anxiety made her palms sweat.As Daniel unlocked the cabin, he said, "Welcome home, Tasha. It’s cozy, isn’t it?"Tasha tried to force a smile. "It’s... lovely. Just a bit overwhelming."Daniel led her inside, turning on the lights. The warmth from the fireplace made the old-fashioned mountain cabin feel inviting. He gathered some wood from the kitchen and began to set it up in the fireplace. Tasha watched him with a mixture of apprehension and fascination."Would you like some tea?" Daniel asked as he started the fire."No, thank you," Tasha replied softly, her voice almost a whisper.Daniel raised an eyebrow, noticing her discomfort. "How about coffee then? It might help you warm up."Tasha shook her head. "No, really, I’m fine.
By morning, Tasha awoke to find herself cradled in Daniel’s strong arms. The soft rays of the sun crept into the room, casting a warm glow over everything. She blinked, her head still foggy from sleep, but the realization hit her—she was wrapped in Daniel’s embrace. A businessman like him, holding her like this? Was there something more between them?Carefully, without making a sound, Tasha slid out from under his arm, setting it gently on the bed. She grabbed her dress and tiptoed to her room, her heart racing.As she walked down the hallway, her eyes fell on him. Daniel was standing there, shirtless, with a pair of jeans on. His messy hair fell over his forehead, and the sight of him like that stopped her in her tracks. Her eyelids fluttered as she looked away, embarrassed by the intensity of her feelings.Daniel moved toward her, his deep gaze lingering on her wet, tangled hair. Without a word, he pulled a towel from the bed and tossed it casually in her direction. His touch, thoug
A week laterTasha slowly woke up, her head feeling heavy and foggy. She remembered talking with Grandma and Eva the night before, and then bringing Eva to bed. But she couldn’t remember when she had fallen asleep herself.“Eva?” she called softly, reaching out to the empty side of the bed. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized Eva wasn’t there. She quickly looked around the room, panic building in her chest.Then she saw her. Eva’s small body lay on the floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. Tasha froze, her mind refusing to believe what she was seeing.“No, no... this can’t be real,” she whispered, her voice breaking. She stumbled to Eva’s side, dropping to her knees. Her hands shook as she reached for the knife stuck in Eva’s stomach, barely able to breathe. “Eva, wake up... please, wake up.”She pulled the knife out and flung it away, her hands now covered in blood. She cradled Eva’s cold face, desperately patting her cheeks. “Eva, open your eyes! Please, just... open them.” T
The cold air bit at her skin, and she wrapped her arms around herself, feeling more alone than ever.In the darkness, she prayed for strength, for someone to believe in her innocence. Her thoughts drifted back to Daniel, wondering if he would hear about this if he would believe in her. Would he come for me? Or would he turn away, like everyone else?As she huddled on the hard bench, the weight of everything crashed down on her. Her parents were gone, her life torn apart, and now she was branded a murderer. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she whispered Eva’s name into the silence."I didn't do anything! Please, believe me! I'm telling the truth!" Tasha cried out, her voice breaking as she pleaded with the police. But her words fell on deaf ears—no one believed her. She was alone, desperate for someone to hear her out.The officer looked down at her, unmoved."There were no fingerprints on the knife except yours. No one else was in the house. So how can I believe you’re innocent?" Dani
It was the first time Daniel had ever shouldered someone's funeral. As everyone left Eva’s freshly buried grave in the pouring rain, Daniel remained behind, crouched down by her resting place, tears flowing freely. His soul seemed to wither under the weight of his grief, the loss eating him alive.He believed he had served her murderer a punishment worse than death with his own hands, yet the pain persisted, unrelenting and sharp."Take care of yourself, Daniel. Be patient." Someone’s voice broke through the rain, his hand gripping Daniel's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. The rain intensified, soaking them both."We should go now," Jake urged, and reluctantly, Daniel let himself be guided back to the car, his mind still anchored to the grave. They drove home in silence, the atmosphere heavy with sorrow.But as soon as they stepped through the door, a frantic maid met them with dreadful news."Mam... she... she tried to take her own life!" she stammered, her voice trembling.Daniel's
Two days later, Tasha found herself in the small, cozy home of her aunt . The journey here felt like a fevered blur—she could barely remember boarding the train, her aunt’s anxious face, or the rattling journey through the plains.Aunt’s house was simple but welcoming, with a garden outside and the constant sound of the nearby railway station. The rhythmic thunder of passing trains filled the air, but Tasha barely noticed. She spent most of her time in her aunt’s room, clutching a pillow to her chest, her mind trapped in the memories of that man—Daniel Bruno. He loved her, obsessive with her, how could he easily believe this?One night, a sudden clap of thunder jolted her awake. She leaped from the bed, running to Aunt’s room like a frightened child. She curled up beside her aunt, hiding under the blanket as the storm raged outside. Aunt wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight, but Tasha remained tense, her body trembling with unspoken fears.“Tasha, you’re safe here. He can’t hu
“Tasha, open your eyes.” The lights above flickered as the hum of machines filled the room. Daniel sat at her side, his hand gripping hers with a desperation that made his fingers ache. Tasha’s once-vibrant face was now pale, her breath shallow, a thin sheen of sweat clinging to her forehead. The blood that had poured from the wound in her side had soaked through the hospital sheets, staining them a dark red. Her body was fragile, lifeless, and as still as the silence in the room.His heart was breaking in ways he never thought possible, each beat a painful reminder that the woman he loved was slipping away from him, and he could do nothing to stop it. His eyes were swollen from tears, his face streaked with them.His grip tightened around her hand, as if he could hold on to the last fragments of her life with sheer will alone. But even as he held her, even as he whispered her name over and over, it felt like the world was slowly fading to black."Tasha, please… please, wake up. I’m
The opening of the mall had arrived, and excitement filled the air. Daniel, standing near a jewelry stall, was busy directing his workers, making sure everything was perfect for the big day. The mall was filled with people, buzzing with energy, and yet, Daniel's mind seemed distracted.A flicker of movement caught his eye in the mirror before him. A boy stood behind a pillar, but Daniel thought nothing of it at first. After all, it was such a crowded day, and people were everywhere.But when Tasha entered the makeup shop a little later, Daniel's mind was drawn back to the strange sensation that someone was watching her. She was absorbed in picking out lipstick shades, inspecting them carefully in the mirror, when suddenly, her heart skipped a beat. In the reflection, she saw the boy from earlier – Carl – standing just behind her.She spun around quickly, her breath caught in her throat, but no one was there. It must have been a trick of the light, she thought, dismissing the unease cr
For the grand opening of the mall, Daniel had decided not to invite any actors, actresses, or high-profile political figures as special guests. Instead, he wanted the moment to be about one person—his wife.Tasha’s car pulled up outside the mall, and without hesitation, Daniel stepped forward to open the door for her, right in front of the waiting media. His smile was warm and inviting as he extended his hand to her."Come on," he said, his voice full of affection. Tasha, her heart racing, placed her hand in his, stepping out of the car gently. She was standing in front of the media for the very first time, and it made her feel a bit anxious. But before she could get too nervous, Daniel wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. The simple act of his touch helped to calm her nerves, making her feel more at ease."Here, take the scissors," he said, holding them out to her. Tasha, still in a bit of a daze, had assumed he was joking, but seeing the serious expression o
That evening, after a long and grueling day, Tasha returned home to find Daniel waiting for her in the living room. The apartment was dimly lit, the soft golden hue of the table lamps casting a warm glow. The aroma of fresh coffee lingered in the air. She closed the door behind her with a tired sigh, and there he was—Daniel—lounging on the couch with an easy, mischievous smile on his face.“How was your first day as boss?” he asked, setting his laptop aside with a deliberate slowness, as if he were savoring the moment of her arrival.“Exhausting,” Tasha admitted, kicking off her heels with a grateful grunt and collapsing beside him on the couch. Her shoulders were tense, her muscles aching from a day filled with meetings, decisions, and memories she had been trying to bury for years.Daniel’s arm was around her in an instant, pulling her closer to him. His touch was grounding, like a lifeline. “And yet, you survived. That’s my girl,” he said, his voice full of pride.She smiled weakly
They had been working together for a week, but it seemed unlikely that this girl had even seen him once. He was lying beside his new bride, lost in thought, remembering Tasha. The image of her beautiful yet simple face, full of confidence, kept playing in his mind. A wave of deep regret swept over him. He wished he had appreciated her more, that he had valued her in the way she deserved. Maybe, if he had, she would still be with him now.Tears welled up in his eyes, and he quickly sat up, rubbing his eyes roughly, trying to push the painful thoughts away. His heart was breaking. The girl he had once known, the girl he had lost, was now married to someone else. She was no longer his, and it was all because of his own foolishness and insecurities."How's everything going?" She asked softly, her voice gentle as she styled her hair. She leaned her chin on his shoulder, wrapping her delicate arms around him, showing concern. He could feel her care for him, yet his thoughts were elsewhere.
Shehryar paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed with frustration. The weight of the company’s recent losses pressed heavily on him, and his temper simmered. His brother, Carl, sat across from him, visibly worn from the arguments they’d been having for weeks.“Has our time come?” Shehryar snapped, slamming his fist onto the desk. “Now we’ll work like employees in our own office under a girl?”Carl adjusted his glasses and sighed deeply, his patience thinning. “We’re not employees, Shehryar. We’re still partners.”“Partners?” Shehryar barked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t joke with me, Carl. She owns 70 percent of the shares, and we only have 30 between us. That means she calls the shots in everything from now on!” He slammed the back of his chair in frustration, his anger palpable.Carl leaned forward, rubbing his temples. “Instead of yelling, maybe we should hope she’s competent enough to save what’s left of this sinking ship. We’ve got nothing left but this c
“Would you help me with something?” Daniel asked, holding a stack of papers in his hand. He extended them toward Tasha with a warm, encouraging smile.“Help? With what exactly?” she asked curiously, raising her eyebrows as she took the papers from him.“Well…” He leaned back casually, his tone light but deliberate. “I bought seventy percent of the shares of a failing company.”“What?” Her voice shot up in surprise, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Why would someone as smart as you invest in a company that’s going under?”“Because I thought I could turn it around,” he replied with a shrug. “But life has a way of throwing curveballs, and I’ve been too busy to focus on it. So, here’s the deal: I’m handing it over to you. You’ll be managing it from tomorrow.”Tasha’s jaw dropped. “Me? Are you serious? I don’t know the first thing about running a company!”Daniel raised an eyebrow, a sly smirk forming on his lips. “Why not? Did you get your degree just to decorate the house?”“That’s not
Tasha lay in bed, her eyes heavy but stubbornly refusing to close. Beside her, Daniel was peacefully asleep, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. Yet, even in his sleep, he seemed restless, as if the memory of something unresolved lingered in his subconscious. A soft whisper escaped his lips, almost an apology directed at himself.Tasha couldn’t help but study his face, her gaze tracing every line and curve. “How beautiful he is,” she thought, a soft smile playing on her lips. Daniel was her prince, flawed yet captivating, and even in the darkness of the room, he exuded a warmth that drew her closer.She leaned in, her nose brushing lightly against his, and closed her eyes. The heat of his breath fanned her cheeks, and for a moment, the world stilled. “This,” she whispered to herself, “this is the most beautiful moment.”Daniel stirred slightly but remained asleep. Tasha chuckled softly, a memory tugging at her heart. “I remember,” she began, speaking to him though sh
"Let’s have breakfast quickly. You must be starving,” Daniel said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of concern. He watched Tasha closely, as though gauging her mood.Tasha raised her eyebrows, her lips curling into a wry smile. “I must be? How do you know?” she asked, her tone teasing yet laced with curiosity.Daniel hesitated for a moment, his confusion evident. “What do you mean?”“That I’m hungry,” she replied softly, leaning back slightly, her eyes never leaving his.Daniel smirked, though his gaze turned serious. “How could you think for a second that I’d have breakfast without you? Especially today, after you called me yourself. Do you know what that means to me?” His voice dropped, becoming almost a whisper.Tasha blinked, slightly caught off guard. Daniel wasn’t the type to show his emotions so openly. But when he referred to her as his “E” – the affectionate nickname only he used – her heart skipped a beat. He could have called himself Daniel, the name the world knew him