As the weekend wrapped up, Tasha began preparing for her Tuesday trip, already feeling the weight of the journey ahead. Ethan's school session had ended just in time, so she decided he’d travel with her. On Monday evening, Tasha sat on the couch with Ethan, who was full of excitement and questions. “Mom, will there be big airplanes?” he asked, his eyes wide. “Yep, a big one,” Tasha replied, smiling at his eagerness. “And guess what? You’ll get a window seat.” “Yesss!” Ethan cheered, already dreaming of what he’d see from up high. As she looked at him, she felt both thrilled and nervous. She wasn’t entirely sure what awaited them or how the trip would unfold, but she knew it was something she couldn’t avoid. The next morning, as she was finalizing her packing, Tasha called Claire over. They ran through the usual business tasks, with Tasha entrusting her to keep an eye on things until she was back. "Claire," Tasha said, slipping a set of keys into her friend’s hand, "If any
Several people nearby paused, glancing over at the scene unfolding in the busy terminal. Ethan, who had been watching with wide eyes, clutched his mother’s hand a little tighter as she steeled herself, glaring at Daniel one last time before walking away, holding Ethan protectively. As they settled into their seats on the plane, Ethan sat in silence, his small hands clasped together. Tasha glanced over at him, searching for the right words to comfort him, but the whirlwind of emotions left her speechless. She watched as he finally closed his eyes, drifting into sleep, his face peaceful yet troubled by the tension he had witnessed. The flight passed quietly, and Tasha kept herself occupied, watching over Ethan as he slept, her mind racing with everything that had unfolded. When they landed, the bustling London airport buzzed around them, but Tasha’s thoughts were still with Daniel, the slap, and everything left unresolved. As they exited the terminal, Aunt Linda was waiting, her
The cold nibbled at Lillian’s bones as she hurried through the snow-covered streets of London, clutching her tiny daughter, Natasha, tightly against her chest. She was nineteen, barely more than a child herself, in a world that felt as if it was closing in on her. Each step she took was burdened not just by the weight of her daughter but by the silent hopes and fears she harbored within. She was young, unprepared, and alone. Her mind drifted, as it often did, to thoughts of her lover, Williams. The man who had once looked at her with such promise had quickly turned cold when he discovered she was pregnant. In his eyes, Natasha had been an inconvenience, a future he had no desire to accept. He walked away without hesitation, leaving Lillian to face the harsh reality alone. She’d spent many sleepless nights wondering if she could have changed his mind or softened his hardened heart, but in the end, the answer was always the same: he had chosen himself over them. Lillian pushed ope
(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.
The hours dragged by, each minute stretching into what felt like eternity. Daniel lay there on the floor, his mind a jumbled mess of regret, anger, and sorrow. The apartment felt colder now, the silence almost suffocating, pressing down on him from all sides. He didn’t want to move, didn’t want to face the reality of it all. The world outside could go on, but he was stuck, paralyzed by his own thoughts, unable to find a way out. The sound of the doorbell rang through the stillness, but Daniel didn’t even flinch. His eyes were heavy, his body unmoving, as if he had become a part of the room itself. The ringing continued, insistent, but he ignored it. Let them come. He wasn’t in the mood for company. He didn’t want to see anyone—especially not now. But the door clicked open, and soon enough, the sound of footsteps approached. Stanley’s voice broke through the fog in Daniel’s mind. “What the hell? Daniel?” The words were sharp, filled with concern, but Daniel didn’t react. He didn’t
Tasha’s words hung heavily in the air, slicing through the tense silence. "I see no one is going to tell me," Tasha continued, her voice firm despite the exhaustion in her frame. She took a step back, the IV stand rattling slightly as she steadied herself. Her eyes were sharp, filled with a mixture of confusion and coldness that hurt Daniel to the core. Daniel’s chest tightened as he opened his mouth to speak, but Tasha held up a hand to stop him. “I don’t want you coming here like you have the rights,” she said, her tone cold and final. It wasn’t the tone of the woman he once knew weeks ago. This was a stranger, a woman who, for the moment, couldn’t remember the sincerity they had shared for the past weeks. Daniel wanted to argue, wanted to explain everything, but when she cut him off again, the words stuck in his throat. “I don’
Outside the Room… Robbin stepped into the hallway, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand through his hair. His mind was still spinning from everything that had happened, Tasha waking up, her memory loss, the way she had looked at Daniel like he was a stranger. He should have felt relief that she was alive, but all he could focus on was the uncertainty of what came next. The sound of measured footsteps drew his attention, and when he turned, Mr. Belvoir was standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. The older man regarded him in silence for a moment before finally speaking. “I see how much you care for my daughter.” Robbin straightened, swallowing the emotions that had been simmering inside him. “I do,” he said simply. “Everyone knows that.” Mr. Belvoir gave a slow nod. “And you’ve been there for her, protected her, even when I couldn’t.” Robbi
Tasha’s confusion deepened, but her instincts told her that there was more to the story. She tried to piece together the fragments of memory. “A truck? But I don’t... I don’t remember it.” Claire gave her a reassuring smile, though her own expression was tinged with concern. “Don’t worry, Tasha. It’s normal not to remember everything right away. The shock, the trauma, it can make things hard to recall. But you’ll get there. You just need time.” Tasha’s heart ached with the gaps in her memory. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something or someone was missing from the story. “Ethan... he was in the car with me, wasn’t he?” she asked, her voice soft, almost fearful of what she might hear next. Claire nodded, her expression softening. “Yes, sweetheart, Ethan was with you and he’s safe now. You don’t have to worry about him.” But as Claire spoke, Tasha couldn’t ignore the nagging se
The drive to the precinct was tense, every second ticking by like a countdown to something bigger. Daniel’s mind raced, replaying every detail of the accident, the threats, the calculated attack. When Daniel arrived at the station, the officer led him through to the interrogation room. Behind the glass, a man sat hunched over, his face hidden beneath his hands. The officer motioned toward him. “This is the guy,” the officer said. Daniel nodded but said nothing, studying the man carefully. He didn’t recognize him. There was no familiar face. Just another man who had been caught up in whatever game Vanessa was playing. The officer turned to Daniel. “We’ve traced everything back to this guy. He was hired to take Ms Belvoir, but his story’s all over the place.” Daniel stepped forward as the officer unlocked the door and en
Daniel stood at the back of the room, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say a word. Tasha frowned, her brows knitting together as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory. “I remember meeting Mr. Belvoir… Dad,” she corrected, looking up at him. “I was in his house. With Ethan.” She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the blanket. “Then I went back home.” Claire shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the others before asking cautiously, “You mean… in London?” Tasha nodded slowly. “Yes.” The room went still. Robbin’s gaze flickered toward Daniel, but Daniel didn’t react. His jaw was set, his eyes locked onto Tasha, but he remained silent. Mr. Belvoir, standing near the door, exhaled softly. “That was nearly two years ago.” Tasha’s eyes widened. “What?” Claire sat beside her, gently taking her hand. “Tasha… you’ve been here for a while. You left London.” Tasha shook her head, confusion flashing across her face. “No. I— I would remember
Daniel felt his stomach tighten at the way she looked at him, like he was a stranger. Tasha’s breathing grew uneven as her gaze flickered around the room, taking in the medical equipment, the soft beeping of the monitors, the IV in her arm. Her fingers curled into the bedsheets as if grounding herself. "Why are you here, Daniel?" she asked again, sharper this time, her voice laced with confusion and something else, something distant. "Where I'm I?" Claire and Robbin exchanged uneasy glances, but neither spoke. Ethan, sensing the shift in his mother’s demeanor, clung to her arm. “Mom?” he whispered. “You’re home now.” Her head snapped toward him, eyes wide, panic creeping into her expression. "Home?" she echoed. Ethan nodded eagerly, trying to reassure her. "Right, Dad?" Tasha froze. Her gaze snapped back to Daniel, and for the first time since waking up, there was something else in her eyes, uncertainty. “Dad?” she repeated slowly, as if the word itself didn’t make s
Claire, who had gone back to check on Tasha, suddenly let out a startled gasp. “Tasha? Tasha… Oh my God!” Her voice rang through the quiet estate, filled with shock and relief. Daniel and Robbin barely had time to process her words before she came running out of the room, her expression frantic but hopeful. “She’s awake! Tasha’s awake!” Robbin reacted first. “Call the doctor,” he ordered, already moving toward the room. Daniel didn’t wait, he rushed past them, pushing open the door to Tasha’s room. His heart pounded as he stepped inside. Tasha was lying in bed, her eyes fluttering open, blinking as if trying to adjust to the light. Her breathing was uneven, her body weak from days of being unconscious. But she was awake. She was awake. Daniel exhaled a shaky breath, stepping closer, almost afraid that if he blinked, she would disappear. “Tasha…” Her eyes moved slowly, searching, until they landed on him. Confusion flickered across her face, followed by exhaustion. He
Claire was already there, sitting beside Tasha’s bed, adjusting the blanket carefully. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of medical equipment filling the space. When she looked up and saw Daniel standing in the doorway, she let out a quiet sigh. “Daniel, I’m sorry…” she said, standing up. Daniel’s gaze moved from Claire to Tasha, who lay still, her breathing steady but weak. His chest tightened at the sight of her like this. He swallowed hard before looking back at Claire. “You should’ve called me,” he said, his voice rough with frustration. Claire nodded, guilt written all over her face. “I wanted to, but I had to settle Ethan in first. He was already upset, and Mr. Belvoir made it clear that he didn’t want any more chaos.” Daniel let out a slow, controlled breath, running a hand through his hair. “And you just went along with it?” Claire frowned. “I didn’t have a choice, Daniel. Mr. Belvoir arranged everything before anyone could tell what was going on. She’s being mo