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
She returned home from cafe and went straight to the kitchen. After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, she headed to her room. Turning on the TV, she settled onto the couch, remote in hand.As she took a sip from her newly opened bottle, a news segment captured her attention. “Our channel brings you the latest updates. Daniel Bruno, son of the renowned politician, has returned to country today after completing his education. Our representatives are live at the airport.”Hearing his name sent a chill down her spine. The water bottle slipped from her grasp, splattering its contents across the floor, drenching her clothes and the remote.“Ahhhhh!” she screamed, the panic welling up inside her. It had been six months since that fateful day, and her life had gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy. But now, with the announcement of his return, all the painful memories surged back to the forefront of her mind.That savage beast had destroyed her life. How could he return peac
"Mam, you have been called to the principal's office." She was delivering the lecture when she got this message."Okay," she replied, but an unease settled in her stomach. What could this be about? She tucked her pen away, her mind racing with possibilities as she made her way to the principal's office, each step heavier than the last.Standing before the imposing white door, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorknob. What could possibly await her inside? Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly."Come in," a soft voice beckoned from within.Pushing the door open, she stepped inside, feeling the chill of the air-conditioned room wrap around her like a shroud. The door clicked shut behind her, and she turned instinctively, startled. Who closed the door? A shiver crept down her spine.Before her was the principal's desk, but the chair was turned away, obscuring its occupant. Her heart raced as she steadied herself. "Sir, you called me?" she managed, her voice trembling slightly
When she regained consciousness, the sterile scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils. Blinking against the harsh light overhead, she realized she was in a hospital room. Her aunt, sat nearby, murmuring prayers as her fingers moved rhythmically over a string of Tasbih beads."Auntie..." Her voice came out as a croak, weak and unsure. Her aunt’s head shot up, relief flooding her face.“Thank God you’re awake! How are you feeling, my dear?” She leaned closer, her concern palpable. But the panic struck again, surging through her chest like a tidal wave.“Where is he?” she whispered, her voice trembling.“Who, dear? What are you talking about?” Aunt’s brows furrowed as she studied her niece’s frightened expression.“That beast... Daniel,” she blurted out, her hands clutching the blanket. “He was here! I saw him!” Her aunt’s expression softened, confusion mixing with concern.“No, dear, you must have imagined it. He is nowhere near here. You fainted at college; your colleague found you unco
Tasha's life had become a constant cycle of fear and uncertainty. Ever since that day, when her world had turned upside down with accusations she could hardly defend herself against, she had retreated into a shell. The warmth she once felt seemed like a distant memory. And though time moved on, it didn't ease her fears—it only blurred them, like shadows stretching longer in the fading light.Her aunt had always tried to make life seem brighter. Today, she was positively glowing with excitement. Her husband, Mr. James, was finally returning after ten long years. She headed eagerly to the Venice airport to welcome him back, the joy evident in her every word.When Uncle James arrived, Tasha greeted him respectfully. "How are you, Uncle." He waved his hand dismissively, a teasing smile playing on his lips."Uncle? Come on, I’m not that old. Think of me as a friend. Isn’t that what young people say these days?” But when he reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder, she froze. The gestu
Tasha was busy baking bread, her mind lost in the repetitive motions. Her hands moved automatically, a temporary escape from the anxiety that clouded her days. Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her, making her jump."Hey, you got scared. I just came to check if the bread's done," Uncle James said, his smile holding a predatory edge. His eyes lingered on her with a familiarity she despised. Tasha's pulse quickened."It's not done yet. You should go sit outside. I'll bring it to you." She tried to keep her voice steady, but fear laced her tone. Carl’s words echoed in her mind, urging her to be brave, to stand up for herself. Uncle James ignored her, stepping closer. "Hey, the bread’s burning," he said, seizing her wrist. His grip was too tight, his intentions all too clear."Leave my hand!" Tasha yanked her hand back, her voice rising.She picked up the hot tongs, her grip firm despite the fear that churned in her stomach. With a surge of anger, she swung them at him. The tongs seared
The café stood silent in the dead of night, a refuge from the chaos of the outside world. She returned, her heart heavy with sorrow, only to find the door unlocked. Pushing it open, she stepped inside, greeted by an emptiness that mirrored her own. She needed solitude, a moment to gather her thoughts and process the turmoil churning within her.As she leaned against the wall, grief washed over her like a tidal wave. How could she have turned her back on love? The very hands that had once embraced him now felt like shackles, binding her to the pain of rejection. The weight of Daniel's cruelty pressed down on her, a constant reminder of the loss of her favorite person, taken away forever by his brutality.A fire ignited within her—an anger that had been simmering just beneath the surface. For the first time, the thought of Daniel didn't fill her with fear; instead, it fueled a burning desire for revenge. She wanted him to feel the same anguish she endured, to suffer as she did. The idea
“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