Ethan's face lit up with excitement as he looked up at Daniel, his voice eager. "Can you come over for dinner? Mom’s a great cook, and she promised to make pasta and roasted chicken. Will you come, please?" Daniel hesitated, glancing at Tasha, who stood behind Ethan with her arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. He could feel her tension, but he couldn’t bear to say no to the hopeful look in Ethan’s eyes. “I’m sorry, buddy, I’ve got a lot to do tonight,” Daniel lied, trying to gently let the boy down. But before he could say more, Ethan's eyes began to well up, his lip quivering. Tasha quickly stepped in, her voice soft but firm. “Oh, sweetheart, of course, he’ll be there, won’t you, Daniel?” Daniel looked back at her, realizing she wasn’t just protecting Ethan's feelings, she was challenging him. The tension between them hung in the air, but Daniel couldn’t bring himself to disappoint Ethan again. He crouched down to Ethan’s level, offering a small smile. “I guess I can
Daniel’s gaze softened, a mixture of relief and uncertainty flooding him. He gave a small, tentative smile to Ethan. “Yeah, buddy,” he said, his voice a little husky. “I’ll take you to the park on Saturday.” Ethan’s face lit up again, his earlier sadness forgotten in an instant. He rushed forward and hugged Daniel tightly, his little arms wrapping around him. “Thanks, Uncle Daniel!” As Ethan ran off to get ready for bed, the atmosphere shifted again. Daniel glanced at Robbin, whose expression had become carefully neutral. He nodded at Daniel, but there was a tension in his jaw that spoke volumes. “Thanks for stepping in,” Robbin said, his voice tight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Tasha simply nodded, the weight of everything between them unspoken but understood. As Robbin turned to leave, he gave Tasha a quick kiss on the cheek, murmuring something about seeing her later. She didn’t pull away, but her gaze flickered briefly toward Daniel as Robbin left the apartment. When the do
At the park, Daniel sat on a bench, watching Ethan run around with a group of his friends from school. The sight of Ethan’s smile and playful energy brought a warmth that Daniel hadn’t felt in years. He kept his eyes on the boy, not letting him out of his sight for a second. Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket, the name "Stanley" flashing on the screen. Daniel answered the call, keeping one eye on Ethan as he laughed and chased after his friends. “Hey man, you good?” Stanley’s familiar voice came through. “Yeah, I’m good,” Daniel replied, his tone casual as he leaned back against the bench, enjoying the calm afternoon. “What’s that noise in the background?” Stanley asked, the sound of children’s laughter clearly coming through the phone. Daniel smirked. “I’m out with Ethan.” “Ethan?” Stanley echoed, his voice suddenly curious. “Yeah, Tasha’s son,” Daniel confirmed, his eyes still following Ethan as he climbed up the jungle gym. There was a brief pause on the line
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 room was filled with the sound of their breathing uneven, shallow, charged with emotions neither of them had fully voiced. Tasha’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for Robbin, her heart racing faster with each second. His warmth, his steady presence, was like an anchor pulling her from the storm she’d been lost in for so long. Their lips met again, more desperate this time, as if trying to fill the voids carved by heartbreak and confusion. Robbin’s hands found her waist, fingers digging gently into her skin as he pulled her closer. Tasha responded instinctively, her hands sliding under his shirt, fingertips grazing over the hard planes of his chest, memorizing the way he felt beneath her touch. She needed this, not just the closeness but the feeling of being wanted, needed, cherished. It had been so long since anyone had touched her like this, not out of obligation but with genuine care. Her breath hitched as Robbin’s lips left hers, trailing slow, heated kisses down
Robbin arrived early at Belvoir Couture, stepping into the vast glass building that gleamed under the morning sun. The familiar scent of polished wood and fresh flowers greeted him as he walked through the pristine lobby. The receptionist gave him a polite nod, but his mind was elsewhere. Since Tasha was still adjusting to her recovery, Robbin had been stepping in to manage her workload, immersing himself in business to distract from the emotional chaos brewing inside him. His office overlooked the city skyline, but even the breathtaking view couldn’t quiet the thoughts in his head. His engagement to Tasha was official now, but something felt off, like a puzzle piece forced into a place it didn’t belong. He brushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the thick stack of files waiting for him. A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Come in,” he said without looking up. Vivienne Steele entered, sharp and poised, dressed in a sleek, tailored suit that matched her co
Tasha sat on the edge of the couch, her eyes unfocused, staring at the walls of their living room as if willing time to move faster, to hurry through this painful stretch of silence. The whole day had passed in a blur, Robbin had given her the space she needed, but it didn’t change the fact that her heart was heavy, weighed down by the quiet storm brewing in her home. Ethan hadn’t come out of his room since their conversation. She couldn’t blame him, but it didn’t make the ache any easier to bear. The clock on the wall ticked away relentlessly, the sound sharp in the quiet house, reminding her of just how much time had passed since Ethan had stormed off. She couldn’t imagine what he was feeling right now, he had always been so full of life, so full of questions, yet now he was silent. The silence was suffocating. Tasha’s gaze moved from the clock to the door leading to the hallway, her thoughts clouded with worry. She knew it wasn’t easy for Ethan. She knew he was hurting. But wha
Tasha sat in the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. It had been a long time coming this conversation, this moment. She had been avoiding it, hoping it would somehow sort itself out, but she knew deep down that it couldn’t be avoided forever. Robbin and she had been together for a while now, and their relationship was moving forward. It was time to let Ethan know. She glanced toward the kitchen where Robbin was cleaning up, his movements calm and steady, like he was already mentally preparing himself for what was coming. He had been so patient, so understanding with her and Ethan. But even he couldn’t help her avoid the inevitable. Ethan had to know. Tasha’s heart ached at the thought of her son’s reaction. She had already seen the worry and confusion in his eyes in recent weeks. He had been asking questions, small ones at first. The thought of seeing the sadness and confusion in Ethan’s face broke her every time. But she knew t
The next morning arrived in a blur for Daniel. He barely remembered falling asleep, but when his eyes opened, the harsh light of day pierced through his apartment. The room was a mess, a reflection of his state of mind. Empty bottles, a broken glass on the floor, and remnants of the night before scattered around him like the fallout of a battle he didn’t want to fight. He dragged himself out of bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion, both physical and emotional, pressing down on him. But sleep hadn’t given him respite. It had only brought him restless dreams of Tasha, her smile, her voice, her warmth only for them to dissolve into nothingness every time he reached out. He stumbled to the kitchen, the air thick with the smell of stale alcohol. He had no appetite, but he poured himself a cup of black coffee anyway, needing the bitter warmth to shake off the fog in his mind. As the liquid slid down his throat, he leaned against the counter, staring at nothing, his thought
Daniel’s apartment was eerily quiet when he returned. The faint hum of the city outside, the low murmur of distant traffic, seemed to only emphasize the emptiness inside. He didn’t bother turning on the lights, instead letting the dim glow of the streetlights filter through the windows as he made his way to the kitchen. It was the same routine now coming back to this cold, lifeless space after a day full of fake smiles, forced interactions, and the constant undercurrent of pain that he couldn’t shake. He opened the cabinet, his hands moving almost automatically, grabbing a bottle of whiskey. It was the same bottle he’d been nursing for the last few weeks, ever since everything had spiraled out of control. He didn’t know why he kept drinking, it didn’t numb the pain; it didn’t make things better, but it was the only thing that seemed to dull the sharp edges of his thoughts, even if just for a little while. The glass was filled quickly, the amber liquid s
Daniel had always been a man of control. From the moment he’d made the decision to step back from Tasha’s life after the accident, the fallout, the memories lost, he had tried to maintain his distance. He told himself it was for the best, for her sake, for Ethan’s. But nothing could have prepared him for the slow, torturous pain of watching from the sidelines as Tasha moved forward without him. And yet, there he was, still in Ethan’s life, still seeing his son, even if he no longer had a place beside Tasha. The gala had been on his mind for days. The invitation had come through Belvoir Couture, of course the company he was still very much involved with, even though his heart was no longer in the glamorous world of high fashion. It wasn’t his place, not anymore. Still, there were business matters to attend to. And so, there he was, standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his tuxedo. The reflection staring back at him was someone he barely recognized eyes tired, jaw clenched, the
One evening, the soft hum of the city outside barely noticeable as Tasha stood by the window, looking out into the night. The past few weeks had felt like an emotional rollercoaster. The amnesia, the painful fractures in her relationships, the uncertainty that had filled her life. But standing here now, the air around her felt different less heavy, more certain. Her eyes drifted to Robbin, sitting at the small kitchen table. Ethan was in bed, and they were finally alone. The house, once too silent, now held a different kind of peace, a peace that Tasha hadn’t realized she longed for until this moment. Robbin had been there for her in ways she couldn’t have imagined. When she needed space, he gave it to her; when she needed support, he was always there, not demanding answers or explanations but offering comfort in silence. Robbin cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. “Tasha,” he began, his voice low, “I know this has been diff
Daniel sat in his car outside the house, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. He had promised he wouldn’t overstep. He had promised he would only come for Ethan. But damn it, walking away from Tasha like that, hearing her say she didn’t want him around, hurt more than he thought it would. He raked a hand through his hair, frustration and helplessness twisting inside him. How will she remember. She didn’t remember what they had built, what they had gone through, what they had recently meant to each other. And now, she didn’t even want to try. His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen, Stanley. With a heavy sigh, Daniel picked up. “How did it go?” St