(At the Sterling's Mansion) As Natasha stepped through the elegant doors of Mr. Sterling’s sprawling home, her heart pounding with excitement and nervous anticipation. She had heard so much about the Business man's lifestyle, but nothing could prepare her for the opulence that greeted her. From the high ceilings adorned with exquisite chandeliers to the plush furniture and stunning artwork that adorned the walls, the place exuded luxury, screaming expensive. “Welcome, Natasha,” Mr. Sterling said, his voice warm as he gestured for her to enter. “I’m glad you could join us for dinner.” “Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Sterling,” Natasha replied, her voice slightly shaky as she adjusted the strap of her bag. She felt like a fish out of water in such a lavish setting, but she was eager to make a good impression. “Please, call me Sterling. We’re friends now, after all,” he said with a reassuring smile, leading her into the dining room where a beautifully set table awaited them. As they
Life happened after Vanessa left for London, Daniel and Natasha’s relationship blossomed. They found themselves drawn to each other in a way that felt inevitable, like a magnet pulling them together. Their marriage was filled with hope, a promise of a future built on trust and love. But life had other plans, testing their bond with trials neither could have predicted. Not long after their wedding, tragedy struck. Mr. Sterling, who had been a father figure to Natasha, was involved in a severe car accident on his way home. The news came as a devastating shock. At the hospital, Natasha clutched Daniel’s hand tightly, her voice a whisper as she looked up at him. “He can’t be gone, Daniel… He’s the reason I’m even here, the reason I had a chance. He’s family.” Daniel wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I know, Natasha. I know.” His voice trembled. Mr. Sterling had been his father in every sens
The next morning, Tasha sat at the kitchen table, stirring her tea absentmindedly. She barely slept, her mind running over every detail of the past few weeks. Across the room, Aunt Linda bustled about, preparing breakfast. She’d already picked up on Tasha’s quiet demeanor.“Did you sleep at all, love?” Aunt Linda asked, glancing at Tasha with a raised eyebrow.“Not really,” Tasha admitted, rubbing her temples. “Ethan had a rough night… he kept calling out for his dad in his sleep.”Aunt Linda’s expression softened as she took a seat across from her niece. “Poor boy. He really misses Daniel, doesn’t he?”Tasha’s jaw tightened, her gaze fixed on the tea swirling in her mug. “i think he does and he knows. And I can’t even begin to explain why things are so… complicated. I want to protect him from all of this, but I don’t know how much longer I can.”Aunt Linda reached over, placing a comforting hand on Tasha’s arm. “You’re doing your best, Tasha. Raising a child isn’t easy especially whe
His words hung in the air, and Tasha struggled to process them. Her whole life had been a journey shaped by loss and resilience. And now, the man sitting across from her was revealing himself as the father she never knew. “What... what do you want from me?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. Mr. Belvoir’s gaze softened, his voice gentle. “Nothing, Natasha. I just want a chance to know you, to be the father I should have been.” Tasha's lips trembled as she struggled to hold back her tears. “I... I can't do this. Not right now,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She stood abruptly, turning away before the tears spilled over. Without another word, she walked out, leaving Mr. Belvoir sitting alone, regret etched into his expression as he watched her go. Back at the apartment, Aunt Linda noticed Tasha’s troubled face when she returned and quickly poured them both a cup of tea, guiding her to the kitchen table. Tasha sat down, hands wrapped around the warm
Venessa’s face tightened with a mix of frustration and hurt as she struggled to keep her composure. “So, that’s it? You’re really choosing her, just like that?” Daniel leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Yes, Venessa. I chose her a long time ago.” “After everything, Daniel?” Her voice dropped, almost pleading. “We had plans. You used to talk about a future, about the life we’d have. How can you just throw that away?” Daniel’s gaze was unwavering. “What you and I had ended the moment you tried to tear down someone I love. That wasn’t love, Venessa. That was manipulation. And I don’t owe my life to someone who only wanted control.” Venessa scoffed, her face hardening as she crossed her arms. “You’re such a fool, Daniel. She’ll betray you just like everyone else. Mark my words.” He stood, signaling the conversation was over. “If you’re finished, Venessa, I have work to do.
Daniel hadn’t expected to wait so long. The sterile smell of the clinic mingled with his impatient thoughts as he stood in the corridor, his mind racing with questions. Tasha’s sudden reappearance in his life had pulled him down a path he thought he’d closed long ago. And now, waiting for Dr. Hart, he felt the tug of tension and hope at war inside him. As he leaned against the wall, he noticed a doctor walking briskly down the hall. Daniel’s eyes narrowed, there was something uncomfortably familiar about him. He was certain he’d seen that face before, though the name escaped him. Memories surfaced, jagged and half-formed, of a time filled with deception and doubt. Then it hit him: five years ago, at the hospital with Venessa. His jaw tightened as he recalled Venessa’s lie, the hospital stay she’d fabricated, and this man, this doctor who had assured Daniel everything was true. It was that same face, though now aged and a little wearier. The doctor paused, catching Daniel’s gaze. T
Daniel’s heart raced as he stared at the message from Tasha: “Ethan misses you.” It was the last thing he expected, a crack in her usual guarded tone. He stood up instantly, dialing her number. The phone rang, each tone stretching longer than it should, but there was no answer. He tried again. This time, he paced across his office, feeling the weight of uncertainty hanging over him. After several rings, the call went to voicemail. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair, unsure of what to do. He texted her back: “Tasha, please pick up. I’d like to talk about… about everything. Just give me a chance, I'm sorry.” Seconds ticked by, feeling like hours. But there was no response. Daniel found himself thinking about all the times he’d tried to get close to Ethan, about the bond he’d begun to form with the boy. And now, he could feel the distance widening again. He wasn’t going to let that happen, not without a fight. Daniel was deep in thought when Stanley knocked and stepp
Venessa arrived at the hospital for a routine checkup, her mood impatient and restless. As she waited in the lobby, a familiar figure caught her eye. It was Mike, Daniel’s personal driver, walking briskly down the hallway. What on earth is Mike doing here? she wondered, eyebrows raising in curiosity.She slipped from her seat and discreetly followed him, watching as he approached the nurse at the lab desk. She moved closer, trying to listen, and her interest spiked when she heard the nurse mention something about a “DNA test result.”DNA test? For Daniel? she thought, feeling a strange satisfaction building up. It wasn’t hard for her to guess that if Daniel was requesting a DNA test, it was almost certainly for Tasha’s son, Ethan. This was the perfect opportunity.She lingered until Mike left with the envelope in hand. Then, with her mind racing and a plan forming, she stepped into an empty corridor and dialed Dr. Robert the doctor who had helped
Daniel let out a small, stressful smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How’s Tasha?” he asked, his voice strained but steady. Mr. Belvoir stepped closer, his hands clasped behind his back. “We haven’t seen her yet,” he admitted. “She’s still under observation. Dr. Ahmed said the next 48 hours are critical.” Daniel’s expression tightened briefly before he exhaled and leaned back against the pillows. “She’s strong,” he said quietly, more to himself than to Mr. Belvoir. “She’ll pull through.” Mr. Belvoir regarded him carefully, noting the weariness etched into Daniel’s features. “What you did for her…” he began, his voice trailing off for a moment. “It’s more than anyone could have expected.” Daniel shook his head faintly. “It wasn’t a choice. Not for me.” Mr. Belvoir gave a slight nod, a flicker of respect in his gaze. “Rest now. She’ll need you when she wakes up.” Daniel closed his eyes again, the faint tension in his body easing slightly. Mr. Belvoir stood quie
The ride was long, and Robbin’s mind raced with worry as he finally arrived at the hospital. The bright lights and faint scent of antiseptic did little to soothe his nerves. He made his way straight to the nurses’ station. “Tasha Belvoir?” he asked, his voice strained. “She’s in surgery right now along with Mr. Sterling,” one of the nurses responded, her tone calm and professional. She gestured down the hall. “You can wait in the family area through those doors.” Robbin nodded tightly and followed her directions. When he entered the waiting room, he immediately noticed the man sitting there, his posture composed but tense. Mr. Belvoir looked up as Robbin entered. “Robbin, right?” he asked, rising to his feet. Robbin paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah.” Mr. Belvoir extended his hand, his voice steady but with a hint of warmth. “Tasha and Ethan have said much about you.” Robbin hesitated for only a moment before shaking the man’s hand firmly. “I hope it was all g
The door to Tasha’s room swung open, and a nurse stepped out. "We’re ready to transport her," she said, her voice professional yet gentle. Daniel and Robbin exchanged a brief glance, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. "I’ll follow in my car," Robbin said, stepping back. Daniel nodded, then followed the nurse inside. Tasha lay on the bed, her complexion pale but her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. He leaned over, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "Tasha, you’re going to be okay. Just hold on for a little longer." The medical team moved efficiently, transferring Tasha to a stretcher. Daniel stayed close, his hand briefly brushing against hers as they secured her. Outside, the hospital staff guided the stretcher toward the waiting helicopter. The wind from the spinning blades whipped at Daniel’s suit, but his focus remained on Tasha. Robbin stood a few steps behind, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. As the stretcher was loaded in
They stood in silence for a while, the unspoken tension still thick between them. But when a nurse called Daniel back for the next phase of testing, Robbin stayed behind, leaning against the wall and staring at the floor. The final tests were completed, and Doctor Harris entered the room where Daniel and Robbin waited. His expression was serious but composed. “We’ve confirmed the results,” Doctor Harris said, setting a file down on the table. “Daniel is a perfect match. We can move forward with the transplant as soon as possible.” Robbin exhaled sharply, tension visibly leaving his shoulders for a moment. “Thank God.” He glanced at Daniel. “I’ll let Mr Belvoir know.” Daniel remained quiet, his face calm, though his mind raced. He looked to the doctor. “How soon can we proceed?” Doctor Harris adjusted his glasses. “We’ll need a bit
The doctor raised a brow, clearly taken aback by Daniel’s sudden resolve. "We appreciate your willingness, but this isn't a simple process, Mr...?" "Sterling. Daniel Sterling." he replied curtly, his gaze unwavering. "How soon can you run the tests?" The doctor nodded, flipping through the chart. "We’ll start with blood type compatibility and proceed with the necessary tests. It’ll take some time, but every second counts.” Before the doctor could leave, Robbin stepped forward. “Hold on,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You should test me first. I’ve known Tasha for years, and if anyone’s going to be of help, it’ll be me.” Daniel’s jaw tightened as he turned to Robbin. "This isn’t about who’s known her longer. It’s about who can actually help her." Robbin stepped closer, his expression unwavering. "Exactly. And I’m sure I can." The doctor glanced between them, clearly caught in the tension. "We can test both of you. The more options we have, the better." “I’m not leavin
Ethan’s small sneakers squeaked against the hospital floor as Claire led him into the room. His wide, brown eyes darted to the bed where his mother lay, pale and hooked up to monitors. He hesitated for a moment, gripping Claire’s hand tightly. “Mom?” His voice was small, hesitant, and it broke Tasha’s heart. She managed a weak smile, her voice soft but steady. “Hey, baby. Come here.” Ethan didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted to her bedside, wrapping his small hands around hers. “You look tired. Are you okay?” Claire hovered near the doorway, her face a mixture of worry and relief. Robbin stood on the other side of the room, his arms folded tightly, watching everything. “I’m okay, sweetheart. I just need some rest,” Tasha assured him, brushing a hand over his cheek. She caught Claire’s eye, nodding her thanks for bringing Ethan. E
Daniel’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. The tension in the room was palpable as the doctor waited for someone to take the lead. Due to the tension in the room, the doctor awkwardly stepped aside, sensing the weight of unspoken words. Robbin hesitated for a moment before looking at Tasha, his eyes filled with worry. He glanced at the doctor, then at Tasha again. "I'll go with the doctor to sort things out," he said softly, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Rest, Tash. I’ll take care of it.” Tasha nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Robbin followed the doctor out, his shoulders stiff with protective energy. As the door clicked shut behind them, Daniel moved closer to Tasha’s bedside. He stood there for a moment, watching her. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow but steady. The sight of her like thi
“Help!” Robbin shouted, dropping to his knees and cradling her limp form. “Someone call for help!” A nearby security guard rushed over, already reaching for his radio. “What’s going on here?” “She fainted,” Robbin said, his voice trembling as he brushed the hair from Tasha’s face. “She needs medical attention now!” The guard nodded, quickly calling for backup. A crowd started to form, whispers filling the air, but before the situation could escalate further, Daniel appeared, his sharp, commanding presence cutting through the chaos. “What the hell is going on?” Daniel demanded, his eyes narrowing as he saw Tasha unconscious in Robbin’s arms. “She collapsed,” Robbin replied, his voice taut with worry. “We need to get her to the hospital.” Daniel’s gaze darted to the growing crowd. “Not here,” he muttered, already stepping forward. “I’ll drive. Help me get her to the car.” Robbin hesitated, glancing at Daniel before nodding. Together, they carefully lifted Tasha, her arms draped
The morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows of Tasha’s office, highlighting the faint bags under her eyes as she sifted through the mountain of paperwork in front of her. She took a deep breath, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to ease the dull ache that had been building since she woke up. Claire, popped her head into the room, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a small pastry. “Morning, boss. You look like you need this more than I do.” Tasha looked up, offering a tired smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Claire.” “Flattery gets you nowhere,” Claire teased, setting the tray on the desk. “But seriously, you’ve been here since six. Did you even eat breakfast?” Tasha waved her off. “I’m fine. There’s too much to do to worry about food right now and besides, I don't even have the appetite for food right now.” Claire folded her arms, unimpressed. “Tasha, skipping meals isn’t heroic; it’s stupid. At least eat this pastry while it’s still