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
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
Daniel Bruno sat at the head of the meeting table, the hum of voices around him barely registering. His focus wavered when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—a message from an unknown number. Frowning, he tapped to open it.The first image made his breath hitch. His chair screeched as he shot to his feet, the blood rushing to his face. Confusion turned to a storm of rage, tightening his chest and curling his hands into fists. The veins on his neck throbbed as his jaw locked. With a sudden burst of fury, he slammed the phone onto the table. The sound cracked through the room, silencing every conversation.All eyes turned to him, wide with alarm."Meeting adjourned," Daniel growled, his voice tight, teeth clenched. Snatching up his phone, he stormed out, his movements quick and sharp.Safdar Bruno, sitting across the table, scrambled to his feet, rushing after him. "Daniel, what's going on?"Daniel didn’t even slow down. His voice, sharp and cutting, echoed down the hall. "Nothi
Tasha scrambled to get ready for university, her morning running later than usual. She chose a stylish blue top paired with crisp white capris, draping a blue dupatta loosely over her shoulders. Her glossy pink lips highlighted her natural beauty, though her expression betrayed annoyance. She hastily grabbed her bag and stepped out, her phone ringing unexpectedly as she reached the lounge.The sight of the flashing number on her phone screen startled her. Without answering the call, she paused mid-step, a flicker of panic crossing her face. Before she could act, Daniel appeared, his gaze locking onto her with unmissable intensity.In her blue ensemble, Tasha looked radiant. The rich hue of the outfit contrasted strikingly against her fair complexion, while the gloss on her lips added a soft allure. Daniel’s eyes darkened with admiration. His possessive nature made it difficult for him to let her step outside, knowing that her beauty could turn heads. But for Tasha’s happiness, he curb
When Daniel came out, Safdar was sitting in the car waiting for him. "What did you think of the people who came over for dinner today?" Daniel asked as he got into the car. Safdar smiled as he buckled his seatbelt and started the car. "He made time because before marriage, he was always busy, and no one could meet him. Now, after marriage, he’s more available, so his friends decided to take advantage of that." Daniel chuckled. "Well, it’s the opposite for you. Most people ignore their friends after marriage, but you’ve been visiting everyone. It’s good to see you and your wife getting along so well." Safdar glanced at Daniel. "Don’t rub it in." Daniel leaned back with a deep sigh. At that moment, Safdar’s phone started ringing. He glanced at the screen, surprised. "Is your phone off?" he asked Daniel. "No, why?" Daniel replied, looking curious. "Your wife is calling me," Safdar said, showing him Tasha’s name on the screen. "Put it on speaker," Daniel said. Safdar an
Tasha was lounging in the living room, watching TV, when a familiar scent wafted through the air. "The smell of Mr. Bruno's cologne," she murmured to herself. She closed her eyes, a soft smile spreading across her face as she inhaled deeply. Glancing toward Daniel Bruno’s room, she saw him step out, dressed impeccably in gray jeans, a white shirt, and a matching casual gray coat. His neatly styled, gelled hair complemented his effortlessly charming demeanor as he walked toward her. Tasha couldn’t take her eyes off him. A sense of excitement bubbled within her as she admired him, but as he neared, she quickly looked back at the TV, trying to feign indifference. Despite her best efforts, her attention remained firmly on him. Daniel noticed her but ignored her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and walked past the lounge, heading toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, Tasha’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Where are you going at this hour?” She rose from the
He was in the middle of an important meeting when his phone rang. "Excuse me," he muttered to the room, standing up and stepping outside the meeting to take the call. "Speak..." he answered, his voice calm but still focused. "Send greetings to me first. Then I’ll say something," came the request from the other end, her tone slightly tinged with a quiet plea. It was a request she had made for two days now, and yet each time he answered the phone, he would immediately say, “Bolo” (Speak). It was as if he hadn't yet learned the simple courtesy of greeting. "Good Morning," he quickly said, fulfilling her demand. "Good Morning... and bring food. Tell me if you want anything else," he continued, making the request casually but with a hint of amusement in his voice. Tasha smiled as she listened, her tone lightening. "Come quickly, I’m starving. And bring something sweet—my mouth is so bitter right now," she asked in a sugary voice, almost coaxing him to hurry. Daniel chuckled
Tasha snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a voice asking, "What's going on here?" She saw Daniel walking toward her with his usual confident attitude.As soon as Daniel entered, he smelled the roses and noticed the bouquet in Tasha's hands."Daniel, sir, look... Anna came to apologize to Miss Tasha even though her leg is hurt. But Miss Tasha isn’t accepting the apology," Anna’s manager said quickly, complaining that Tasha was being cold toward Anna despite her pain."Manager, why are you making me the bad guy here?" Tasha smiled and said, clearly annoyed. The manager was caught off guard by her words."What??" The manager asked, surprised, as if he couldn't believe his ears."You're supposed to take care of Anna, not drag her around when she's in pain. Do you think carrying her around won’t make her leg worse?" Tasha said sternly, and the manager was speechless."And Anna, why are you apologizing for Noor? She’s not a child, and you’re not her mother. Stop acting innocent. Firs
Daniel was deeply absorbed in his work at the office, the hum of the environment around him barely registering. He was methodical, focused on the tasks at hand. But suddenly, his phone buzzed, snapping him from his concentration. The name on the screen flashed in bold letters: PB. He knew exactly who it was. His fingers hovered for a brief moment over the phone, almost as if weighing the decision. Then, with a nonchalant sigh, he answered the call with the opposite hand and raised the phone to his ear. "Speak..." The voice that answered him on the other side was soft and sweet, and instantly, it seemed to carry him away from the sterile office air to a place much warmer. "Send greetings to me first. Then I’ll say something," the voice teased, its playful tone causing him to pause. A surge of old memories hit him like a wave, and for a fleeting moment, he was somewhere else—somewhere distant yet familiar. He had heard that voice countless times, in moments both trivial and profoun
The lady doctor was leaving after finishing her check-up, and Daniel was walking in. Tasha, noticing how handsome he was, blushed and quickly walked past him, but Daniel didn’t even look up.“How’s your health now?” Daniel asked, standing in front of her, studying her closely.“I’m okay,” Tasha replied with a smile, and Daniel seemed to soften a little.“Tasha seems to be in a good mood today,” he commented.“Hmm. You told me to make a request, right? I’ve thought about what I want,” Tasha said, smiling sweetly.“You have something up your sleeve, don’t you?” Daniel grinned, sitting down next to her confidently.“Did you say something?” Tasha asked, sitting up straight, not hearing him at first.“This is my chance,” Daniel said with a smart smile.Tasha couldn’t help but smile at him. She was in a better mood today, almost like a blooming flower. As she looked at his handsome face, she noticed beads of sweat forming on her skin.“Should I tell you my request?” Tasha asked shyly.“Hmmm
The atmosphere was thick with uncertainty and unresolved emotions as Tasha spoke to Bisma, trying to mask her true feelings with humor and bravado. Despite her tough exterior, the vulnerability in her eyes and the way her hands trembled revealed the truth—she was still deeply affected by the events that had unfolded.Bisma, noticing the subtle change in Tasha's demeanor, couldn't help but worry. "But Tasha, you were ready to get a divorce before. Why have you changed your mind?"Tasha smiled faintly, but there was a hint of something deeper, something more profound behind her words. "I don't know. Things have changed... and I’m not sure if I’m ready to give up yet. There’s a lot I still need to figure out."She shifted her position, trying to avoid confronting the discomfort in her chest. The mention of her marriage made her feel like she was walking on a tightrope—between what she wanted and what was expected of her. Her emotions were complicated; Daniel’s unpredictable kindness and