Despite the darkness that surrounded her, her anger toward Daniel fueled a fire within her, giving her strength to fight against the enemy. "I will kill you," she vowed, her voice low and fierce. "You will see. One day, I will kill you."Tasha felt utterly exhausted. Her hands were red and sore, the weight of the world pressing down on her. She could feel her body beginning to give in, the darkness creeping back into her vision like a thick fog. Just when she thought she might collapse, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, preventing her from falling to the floor.“Sit here,” he said gently, helping her onto the sofa.“Jake, get her some water!” he ordered, and immediately, Jake snapped to attention. He nodded quickly and rushed to fill a glass with water.“Drink,” he urged, bringing the glass to her lips. But Tasha hesitated, her lips refusing to part for the water. “Come on, drink some water. You need to eat too. Then we’ll take you to your aunt. He’s in the hospital.”The mention
“Why are you following me?” Tasha asked as soon as Daniel parked the car. She hopped out quickly, her heart racing. The bustling airport loomed ahead, a maze of travelers and emotions. Just as she entered, a familiar scent—his cologne—drifted through the air behind her. She turned sharply, expecting to see the face she both feared and resented.“Because whether we like it or not, our paths are the same,” Daniel replied, his tone serious and unwavering.The weight of his words sank into her. Did that mean he was going with her? Confusion and anger tangled within her. “Why would you even care?” she snapped, her voice rising slightly as frustration bubbled up inside her.He held her gaze for a moment, chewing on his lower lip as if weighing his next words. Finally, he shook his head and turned the ignition, the car's engine rumbling to life.As they drove away from the airport, memories flooded Tasha’s mind. She recalled a day long ago, a different time when she sat in a car with Daniel
As the melody played, she couldn’t help but remember the times Daniel would sing to his sister, Rukhsar. They would go out for ice cream, and his laughter would light up the room. Tasha felt a pang of nostalgia, the image of Rukhsar’s smiling face dancing in her mind. She recalled how Daniel had once kissed Rukhsar’s dupatta playfully, and her sister had jumped, laughing and teasing him back.But the joyful memories twisted into pain as she recalled the darker moments—the blood, the chaos, the danger that had threatened them all. Just then, she shook her head, trying to dispel the haunting images.Suddenly, she noticed the car’s speed increasing. Daniel’s face was tense, and he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. “Slow down!” she shouted, panic rising in her throat.“Why? You wanted to die anyway, didn’t you?” he shot back, not taking his eyes off the road.“Yes! But not with you!” Tasha replied sharply, her eyes flashing with anger. The darkness in her heart threa
Tasha was filled with unease as she made her way to the hospital. What would she say if the police questioned her? The thought nagged at her like a persistent itch, making her stomach churn. She had to stay strong, especially for her family. When she arrived at the hospital, she spotted Shaista at the entrance, heading out to pick up some medicine.“Aunt! How is Aunt doing now?” Tasha rushed over, her heart racing with concern.Shaista looked relieved to see her. “Oh, Tasha! I’m so glad you’re here. She’s stable now. They say she’s out of danger, but she still hasn’t regained consciousness.”Tasha let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Thank God. And thank you for being here.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she grasped Shaista’s hands, grateful for the support.“Don’t mention it, dear. Neighbors help neighbors. That’s what we do,” Shaista replied warmly. “Now, you go inside and keep an eye on him. I’ll go get the medicine.”“No, let me get it,” Tasha insisted, taking
Today, she finally returned to the office after being absent for many days."Ma'am, do you even realize you showed up without any warning? Do you know how long you’ve been gone?" he questioned, clearly frustrated with her repeated excuses."Sorry, sir. My uncle fell seriously ill out of nowhere," she said quietly, her gaze dropping in embarrassment."And what do you expect me to do about that? I still have to report to my superiors. You could have at least put in a leave request, don’t you think?" she retorted, picking up a file from her desk."It won’t happen again, I promise," he said, sounding uneasy."Yeah, maybe she’ll remember when her paycheck gets docked," someone muttered nearby."Stop standing around and get to work. I need the Sunny project file on my desk before four," she ordered, giving him a sharp look."Yes, sir..." She nodded, feeling the tension."Miss Tasha!""Yes, sir?" She turned around, startled."I need the boss's signature on this file. Can you handle it?" His
In a flash, the torn pieces of paper fluttered around him like confetti. She had ripped up the file, making it clear she wasn’t afraid of him and had no plans to continue working in his office. She was done living in the illusion that had kept her trapped."I didn’t say you could leave," he called out as she was almost at the door."I don’t need your permission," she said, turning around sharply. Without waiting for a reply, she strode toward the exit.But as she caught sight of Daniel, her anger boiled over, feeling like it could burst through the ceiling."Maybe you’re forgetting something, Miss Tasha. You work for me now," he sneered, grabbing the handle of the glass door to block her path.Startled by his sudden move, she froze and stared into his dark, mysterious eyes, now dangerously close."I don’t need this job anymore. I’m quitting today." Her voice was steady and determined.He leaned against the door, a mocking grin spreading across his lips. "Fine, go ahead. But I hope you
Daniel was about to turn away, a smug smile curling on his lips, when Tasha’s voice rang out, strong but edged with a tremor of defiance."I’m ready to pay one million dollar."Her words cut through the room, stopping him in his tracks. He slowly turned, his confidence faltering for just a moment, genuine surprise lighting up his face. His dark eyes narrowed as he studied her, a mix of curiosity and amusement flashing across his features."You’ll have the money... by tomorrow?" he echoed, disbelief dripping from his voice. He let out a low, mocking chuckle. "And how do you plan to pull off such a miracle, Miss Tasha? A magic trick?" His smile was as smug as ever, certain he still held all the power.Tasha clenched her fists, refusing to let him see any doubt. "I’ll find it," she shot back, her voice unyielding. "Just know you’ll get the money."He leaned back, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "You’re playing a dangerous game," he warned, his voice laced with false concern. "If
How long had she been wandering aimlessly? Her mind was in turmoil, overwhelmed by the thought of where she could possibly find ten lakh rupees."I should just run away somewhere. Yes, that’s the only way to escape Daniel. Otherwise, that cruel man won’t hesitate to hand me over to the police. And who knows if he’ll even leave me alone after taking the money?” she muttered to herself, her voice filled with despair. "He’s clinging to me like a shadow, a demon that won't let go. Despite all he has, he still won’t leave me alone." Tears welled up in her eyes as she stumbled forward, crossing the street without noticing her surroundings.Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the blaring horn or see the car speeding toward her."Do you have a death wish?" shouted the driver, frantically honking the horn.But she was too far gone in her own world to hear it. A flash of yellow light caught her eye, snapping her back to reality. She turned her head, and her heart froze—there was a car racing
“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