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
Tasha straightened, maintaining her composure as Venessa's gaze settled on her. Claire, sensing the tension, glanced between them, choosing her words carefully. “Good morning, Venessa,” Tasha said with a polite smile, her voice calm yet assertive. “Anything urgent on your desk today?” Venessa raised an eyebrow, her smile more of a smirk. “Just making sure all the loose ends are tied up. It’s easy for things to slip through when people are… away from the office.” Tasha noted the implication, but she remained unfazed. “Well, it’s good to know things stayed on track. Let’s keep up that momentum, shall we?” Claire stifled a laugh, caught between amusement and nervousness. Venessa’s expression hardened, as if looking for something in Tasha that would crack. But when nothing came, she finally turned on her heel. “By the way,” Venessa said, pausing, “I hope you’re aware of the upcoming presentation. There’s a lot riding on it. Wouldn’t want anyone underprepared.” With that, she st
"Ethan wants to hang out with you," Tasha said, glancing at Daniel with a gentle but hopeful expression, her eyes searching his. Daniel's face softened as he looked at Ethan, who was practically bouncing in anticipation. "Yes, Dad, can we?" Ethan asked eagerly, his face lighting up. Tasha, noticing the moment, quickly added, "But if you’re too busy, we can just..." "No, it's fine. I'm all free," Daniel cut in, giving Stanley a side-eye as he added, "Stanley was just leaving." Stanley raised his hands in a mock surrender, grinning. "Alright, alright. I can take a hint." He turned to Tasha with a warm smile. "Guess we’ll all head out together." As they walked toward the door, Stanley leaned closer to Tasha. "Oh, before I forget," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice, "I wanted to let you know... well, I’m getting married!" Tasha’s face lit up. “That’s amazing, Stanley! Congratulations!” “Thanks! And I expect you both to be there,” he added, nudging her playfully. “N
Tasha read Daniel's message one more time, feeling somewhat okay with it but choosing not to reply just yet. She slipped her phone into her bag and continued with her day, balancing meetings and planning sessions with Claire. The work felt steady and purposeful, grounding her as she set her sights on her future here. Later, back at her apartment, Tasha was setting dishes on the table for herself and Ethan. The warm aroma of the meal filled the cozy space as she plated the food and called Ethan over. He hopped up onto his chair with a big grin, digging in eagerly. As they ate, she looked at him with a soft smile. "Sweetheart, would you like to see your dad tomorrow?" Ethan's eyes lit up. “I get to see Dad?” he asked, a bit of surprise mixed with excitement in his voice. “Of course,” Tasha replied gently. “He misses you, and I thought it might be nice for the two of you to spend some time together.” Ethan nodded enthusiastically, “I miss him too, Mom! Can we go somewhere fun?”
Claire, holding back a smirk, shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out soon enough.” Venessa rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “I just hope they don’t waste everyone’s time with the whole pomp and circumstance thing. Anyway,” she added, turning her gaze toward Tasha, “Well Tasha. Try to keep up, The current Belvoir Couture, it’s not for everyone.” Tasha nodded politely. “Thanks Venessa. I’ll do my best.” Venessa gave a brief nod and continued on, entirely unaware. Tasha exchanged an amused glance with Claire, who gave a subtle thumbs-up. Once Venessa was out of earshot, Tasha chuckled. “Looks like it’s going to be an interesting first day.” Claire laughed. “You don’t even know the half of it. Let’s get you settled in.” As they settled into the
The next evening, Tasha dressed simply yet elegantly for the dinner with Vivienne. She was both curious and cautious about meeting Vivienne, woman who had such close ties to Mr. Belvoir and, as she recently learned, to Venessa as well. Would this dinner bring an ally or another layer of complexity? “Mom, do you think Aunt Vivienne will like me?” Ethan asked, adjusting his small tie in the mirror. Tasha knelt beside him, smiling. “She’s going to love you sweetheart. Just be good, okay?” Ethan nodded, but there was a little sign of nervousness in his eyes. He was still adjusting to all these new faces and places, and the dinner added a layer of importance that even he could sense. As they arrived at the upscale restaurant, Vivienne was already waiting at a cozy corner table. Her presence was commanding, and she gave Tasha and Ethan a warm smil
“Hey, Claire, I need you to set up an apartment for me,” Tasha said, her tone low. There was a pause on the other end before Claire replied, “Alright, but… you really don’t want to be here?” Tasha sighed, glancing at Ethan, who was happily playing with his toy. “No, I don’t want to be there, Claire.” “Is it because of…?” “He owns the building,” Tasha replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Claire took a breath, choosing her words carefully. “Well, why not stay in one of the Belvoir estates here? It’d be private, and there are plenty of security options.” But Tasha shook her head, even though Claire couldn’t see her. “I don’t need attention, not yet. I need everything off the media in the best way I can. It’s what’s best for Ethan,” she said firmly. “I don’t want his life disrupted more than it already has been.” Claire was quiet for a moment. “Alright. I’ll set something up. A nice, quiet place. Low profile.” “Thank you, Claire,” Tasha replied, relief flooding her v
After the Visit to Mr Belvoir's house, Tasha relaxed in her room as her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Claire’s name flashing on the screen. She smiled, picking up as she walked back inside. “Hey, Tasha!” Claire greeted, her face filling the screen with a warm smile. “I’ve missed you! How are things over there in London?” Tasha relaxed, her smile widening. “It’s been a lot, Claire. But good, I think. Mr. Belvoir, 'Daddd' wants me to step into this big role in his company. Can you believe it?” Claire's eyebrows shot up. “Belvoir Couture’s queen in the making, makes total sense to me! You’ll handle it beautifully.” Tasha laughed softly, shaking her head. “I don’t know, Claire. It’s a lot. But hey, how’s New York treating you?” “Oh, New York is... well, it’s never dull, that’s for sure.” Claire hesitated, her tone shifting. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about. It’s… odd.” “Odd?” Tasha’s curiosity piqued. “Go on.” Claire leaned closer to the
Tasha's phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Robbin’s name on the screen. She hadn’t heard from him in so long especially with everything that had happened lately, his absence had been puzzling. She stepped aside, answering with a cautious “Hello?” “Tasha, hey… it’s been a while.” “Robbin,” she replied, her tone mixed with relief and curiosity. “Where are you? I thought you’d be in London by now, you said you’d be here last week.” A slight hesitation filled the line before he spoke. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve been tied up with some… kinda family issues in Paris. Something came up last minute, and I couldn’t get away like I’d planned.” “Family?” Tasha questioned, surprised. “You’ve never mentioned any family in Paris.” Robbin’s voice s
Tasha stepped onto the balcony of her London apartment, dialing Claire’s number. She needed to hear her friend’s voice, to process everything that had happened with Mr. Belvoir. After a couple of rings, Claire’s familiar voice answered on the other end. “Tasha! How’s it going over there?” Claire asked cheerfully. Tasha sighed, her eyes drifting to the bustling city below. “Well… it’s been a whirlwind. I met him... I met Mr. Belvoir, Claire. Turns out his my father. He’s—” She hesitated, struggling to find the words. “He’s not what I expected.” There was a pause, and then Claire’s gentle tone filled the silence. “Tasha, that’s huge. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Woah, Mr Belvoir? How are you holding up?” “It’s surreal. He’s saying all the right things, you know? That he wants to know me, that he regrets not being in my life. I mean, maybe I've been searching for this my entire life, and now he’s here,” Tasha admi