Chapter Eight

Tasha's POV

The following morning, I had barely slept. My mind kept spinning, filled with worry and uncertainty. Would Robbin come back? Why would he, after all? I was just a stranger he helped. The loneliness weighed on me heavily, suffocating the little hope I had left.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened, and Robbin stepped in, holding a small bouquet of flowers. His expression was calm but kind, as if he was determined to be here for me even though I didn’t know why.

"Morning, Tasha," he said, walking over to my bedside.

"Morning," I replied, my voice hoarse.

"How are you feeling?" His eyes searched my face, genuinely concerned.

"Better," I lied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Before he could respond, Dr. Walsh came in, clipboard in hand. She gave Robbin a polite nod and then turned her attention to me. "Good morning, Tasha. There’s something important we need to discuss about your health."

My stomach churned with anxiety. "What is it?"

Dr. Walsh’s tone softened, but her words carried weight. "With all the stress you’ve been under recently, there’s a significant risk of complications with your pregnancy. If you continue to be overworked emotionally and physically, you could be facing a miscarriage."

The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. I could feel my throat tighten as I instinctively placed my hand on my stomach. The thought of losing the baby terrified me.

Dr. Walsh gave me a sympathetic look. "I’ll leave you to rest. But please, Tasha, take care of yourself, I'll be back to get you discharged." She gave a brief nod to Robbin and left the room.

An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I didn’t want to talk about Daniel, Venessa, or the baby. But I could feel Robbin’s eyes on me, his concern unmistakable.

After a few moments, he spoke quietly. "Tasha, what about the father? Do you know who he is, is he aware of your current situation?"

I bit my lip, avoiding his gaze. I couldn’t tell him the truth, not yet. "I... I don’t know," I whispered, the lie slipping from my lips before I could stop it. I kept my eyes on my hands, refusing to meet his questioning stare.

Robbin was silent for a beat, processing my words. "I see," he finally said, his voice neutral but still caring. "And do you have anyone? Anyone who can help you through this?"

I shook my head, my heart sinking further. "No. I have no one."

He sighed softly, then after a moment, he spoke again. "I’m heading to London soon. I want you to come with me."

His words caught me off guard, and I looked up at him, startled. "What?"

"Come with me," Robbin repeated gently. "You need to get away from all this stress, Tasha. A fresh start could make all the difference. You can stay with me until you decide what to do next."

I hesitated, my mind racing. Could I really leave everything behind? But as I thought about the baby, about Daniel and the fear of him finding out, the idea of starting over seemed like the only way to protect myself and my child.

"Think about it," Robbin said softly, his eyes steady on mine. "You don’t have to go through this alone."

I let out a small, tentative smile, grateful for his support even though my heart was heavy.

Later that afternoon, after I was discharged, I followed Robbin to his place. His house wasn’t huge, but it was elegant in a way that made it feel luxurious without being over the top. The exterior was modern, with clean lines and large windows that allowed the soft afternoon sunlight to stream inside. As we stepped through the door, I could feel the warmth of the space immediately. It was cozy, the kind of place that invited you to sit and stay a while.

"Make yourself at home," Robbin said, gesturing toward the living room. "I’ll get you something to drink."

I nodded, still a little overwhelmed by everything. My eyes roamed over the minimalist decor everything in soft neutral tones, with a few personal touches here and there. It was clear Robbin lived simply but comfortably.

I sank into the plush couch, exhaustion settling into my bones after the stress of the past few days. I couldn’t believe how quickly my life had spiraled, how in a matter of days, I had gone from being Daniel’s wife to... nothing. A soon to be single mom, carrying a child whose father I was determined to keep in the dark.

Robbin returned with a glass of water and set it on the table in front of me. "Here. You need to stay hydrated," he said with a kind smile.

"Thank you," I murmured, taking a sip and feeling a slight sense of relief.

"So," Robbin said, sitting down across from me, "have you thought any more about London?"

I looked up, meeting his gaze. "I have," I admitted, though my voice was soft, still unsure. "It sounds like the kind of fresh start I need. But... it’s a lot to think about."

"I understand," Robbin replied. "But if you decide to come, I’ll be there to help you every step of the way. You won’t have to face any of this alone."

Robbin leaned back slightly, studying me for a moment before speaking. "You know," his tone casual but sincere, "London isn't just an escape for me. It's... home, in a way. My aunt lives there, and she's the only family I have left."

I looked up at him, surprised. "Your only family?"

He nodded. "Yeah. My parents passed away when I was younger, and my aunt took me in. She’s been like a mother to me ever since. We’ve always been close, even after I moved away. I try to visit her whenever I can."

He paused, glancing around his home as if it reminded him of something far away. "She's the reason I still have some sense of family, I guess. And I think she’d like you," he added with a soft smile.

"Why London, though?" I asked, curious. "Why did you leave?"

He shrugged, leaning forward slightly. "Work, mostly. I needed to branch out and see more of the world. This place," he gestured around him, "it’s nice, but it doesn’t feel like home the way London does. I think, deep down, I’ve always planned on going back."

Hearing him speak about London with such warmth and nostalgia made me feel a little better about the decision. Maybe being in a new place, surrounded by someone who understood the importance of family, even if his was small was exactly what I needed.

"Your aunt sounds lovely," I said, offering him a small smile.

"She is. And like I said, she’s the last family I have. She’s been through a lot, but she's strong. A lot like you, actually," he said, meeting my gaze.

I felt a flush of gratitude. "I don’t feel very strong right now."

"You are," Robbin said firmly. "You look like you've been through hell and you're still standing. That’s something to be proud of."

His words settled over me, bringing a strange sense of comfort. For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe I wasn’t entirely alone.

"And like I said," he added, "you don’t have to do this alone. If you want to come with me, my aunt’s place is always open. You’d have a safe place to stay and time to figure things out. No pressure. Just... a fresh start."

I nodded, the idea becoming more and more appealing. Robbin wasn’t just offering me a place to go; he was offering me a chance to heal, far away from the mess my life had become. And right now, that was exactly what I needed.

"Thank you," I said softly, my heart feeling a little lighter.

Robbin smiled, his expression warm. "You don’t need to thank me, Tasha. Sometimes, we all need a little help."

His words were comforting, but the weight of the decision still pressed heavily on me. Could I really leave everything behind and go to London? Could I trust Robbin, a man who had shown me nothing but kindness but who I still barely knew? And what would Daniel do if he ever found out about the baby?