After Claire had come to pick up Ethan, leaving the room quieter and less bustling, Daniel rested back against his pillows, the calm moment inviting a conversation with Stanley.
Stanley, sitting in a chair near the window, was scrolling through his phone when Daniel broke the silence. “So, how’s Rebecca doing?” Stanley looked up, a small smile tugging at his lips. “She’s doing great. Keeping busy as always.” Daniel smirked, the teasing glint in his eyes unmistakable. “You should be with her, not here helping an old man like me.” Stanley chuckled, shaking his head. “Old man? Please. You’re as stubborn as ever, Daniel. Besides, Rebecca understands. She knows how important this is.” “Still,” Daniel said, his tone lighter, “she deserves to have you around. It’s not like you signed up for a full-time babysittinThat evening, Tasha cradled the hospital phone in her hand, dialing Claire’s number. Her heart ached for Ethan, and she couldn’t wait any longer to hear his voice. “Tasha?” Claire’s voice was soft but relieved. “Yhh, it’s me,” Tasha said gently. “Can I talk to Ethan?” There was a rustling sound, and then Ethan’s small voice came through the line. “Mom?” Tasha’s throat tightened. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you?” “I miss you,” Ethan said, his voice trembling. “When are you coming home?” Tasha swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Soon, baby. I’ll be home very soon. You’ve been such a brave boy, haven’t you?” “Yeah,” Ethan replied. “But it’s not the same without you.” Her heart broke a little more. “I know, sweetheart. I promise, we’ll cuddle and talk a
Daniel had just settled into his office at home, the weight of recent events pressing down on him, when his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen: Mike. Without hesitation, he picked up. “What do you have?” “Got everything, boss,” Mike replied, his tone firm but laced with urgency. “Doctor Robert cracked. I recorded everything, just like you asked.” Daniel sat up straighter, his pulse quickening. “What did he say?” “It’s worse than we thought,” Mike said grimly. “Vanessa didn’t just have him tamper with Ethan’s DNA test. She’s been using him for years to manipulate results and cover her tracks in other situations. The man’s got a lot of dirt on her.” Daniel’s jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the phone. “And
Robbin stepped aside, gesturing toward the sunroom. “She’s with Ethan. But listen,” Robbin’s voice lowered, “I'm heading out now, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. She’s still recovering.” Daniel gave a curt nod and walked inside, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors. When he reached the sunroom, he paused in the doorway. Tasha was in a wheelchair, sunlight casting a warm glow around her. Ethan sat beside her, his hands waving animatedly as he told her a story. Tasha was smiling, a soft, genuine smile that made Daniel’s chest tighten. Ethan noticed him first. “Dad!” he shouted, jumping up and running to him. Daniel crouched to meet him, a smile breaking through his otherwise serious expression. “Hey, buddy.” Ethan wrapped his arms around Daniel’s neck. “You’re here! I told Mom you’d come!”
He stood abruptly, pacing to the window. “You deserve a lot more than I can give right now, Tasha. That’s why I’m here, making sure Ethan’s okay, making sure you’re okay.” Tasha stared at him, her frustration giving way to confusion. “Why are you acting like this? Like you’re carrying the weight of the world?” Daniel turned to face her, his expression guarded. “Because some things are better left unsaid. Can we leave it at that?” “No,” she shot back. “We can’t just leave it, Daniel. It's been years, and sometimes show up like nothing’s happened, I don't know what you really want but, how do you expect me to trust you with Ethan?” Daniel’s face softened, but there was a flicker of pain in his eyes. “I never asked for your trust, Tasha. Not after what happened.” She opened her mouth to respond, but the clock
The Next Day Tasha sat by the large bay window, sipping a cup of herbal tea as sunlight filtered through the curtains. She was lost in thought when the sound of the doorbell startled her. Rose appeared moments later, peeking into the living room. “Ma’am, Someone named Stanley is here to see you,” she said. “Send him in,” Tasha replied, her voice subdued but warm. Stanley entered with his usual cheerful energy, his tall frame seeming to fill the room. He wasn’t alone. A stunning young woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile followed closely behind him. “Tasha,” Stanley began, his tone unusually formal, “I’d like you to meet Rebecca, my fiancée.” Tasha blinked, her teacup halting midair. For a moment, the room was silent as she processed his words. Rebecca stepped forward, extending her hand with a bright smile. “It’s such an honor to meet you, Tasha. Stanley has told me so much a
Tasha sat in the back seat of the car, the cool leather of the seat pressing against her as she looked at her reflection in the window. Ethan was beside her, still adjusting his small suit, looking every bit the part of the adorable little gentleman he was. His excitement filled the car as he chattered non-stop about how much he was looking forward to the wedding. “Mom, I can’t wait to see Dad!” he said with a grin, tugging at his bow tie again, his small hands uncoordinated but determined. Tasha glanced down at him, her lips curling into a soft smile despite the knot in her stomach. Ethan was so innocent in his excitement, and she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the complicated emotions swirling inside her. She had tried to push the thoughts of Daniel out of her mind, but the weight of his presence at the wedding, his role as best man, kept creeping in. “Dad looks so cool in his suit, right?” Ethan continued, practic
After the ceremony, the crowd gathered at the grand reception hall, where laughter and chatter filled the air. The newlyweds, Stanley and Rebecca, stood at the center of the room, greeting their guests with wide smiles. Rebecca, radiant in her wedding dress, held Stanley’s hand tightly, the glow of their love undeniable. Tasha took a deep breath, smoothing her gown as she approached them. Ethan was by her side, tugging her along eagerly. “Come on, Mom! Let’s go say hi to Uncle Stanley!” he said, his excitement contagious. When they reached the couple, Stanley’s face lit up. “Tasha!” he exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug. “You made it! And looking stunning, as always.” Tasha chuckled softly, her hand resting on his arm. “Congratulations, Stanley. You look happy, and that’s all that matters.” Stanley grinned, his eyes shining with genuine joy. “Happiest I’ve ever been. Thank yo
After her dance with Ethan, Tasha excused herself, making her way to the restroom. Daniel’s eyes followed her, his concern deepening as he noticed her unsteady steps. He stood by the side of the room, waiting for her to return. Minutes passed, and Tasha hadn’t come back. Daniel’s jaw tightened, his worry growing. Without hesitation, he moved closer to the restroom door, hanging around inconspicuously. When she finally emerged, his breath caught. Tasha looked worse, her face pale, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. She pressed a hand against the wall for balance, her movements sluggish. “Tasha,” Daniel said sharply, stepping forward. “I’m fine,” she muttered, waving him off weakly, but her voice lacked conviction. “No, you’re not,” Daniel said firmly, gently taking her elbow to steady her. “You’re burning up. You need rest.”
Tasha sighed as she pulled into the driveway, rubbing her temples. Work had been brutal today back-to-back meetings, endless reports, and a malfunctioning coffee machine that had nearly driven her over the edge. All she wanted was to kick off her heels, change into sweatpants, and curl up on the couch with Ethan. But the moment she opened the door, she froze. The entire house was bathed in warm, golden candlelight. The air was thick with the scent of fresh roses, and red, pink, and white petals created a soft, delicate path across the floor. Tiny fairy lights twinkled around the living room, casting a magical glow. Tasha’s heart pounded. What was going on? She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes scanning the room. The familiar space now looked like something out of a fairy tale. Then— “Mommy, Mommy!” Ethan came running full speed toward her, his face glowing with excitement. Tasha barely had time to brace herself before her little boy wrapped his arms around her legs,
Life didn’t just pause after Vanessa’s downfall. There were still wounds to heal, relationships to mend, and a future to rebuild. And for Tasha, that meant family. If there was one thing Tasha was sure of, it was Ethan. He was her heart, her purpose, the one thing that had kept her going through everything. And after all the chaos, after all the battles she had fought, she refused to let any of it touch him. She wanted Ethan to grow up safe. Happy. Whole. So she made a choice. She put him first. She started taking time off work, something she had rarely done before. Instead of long nights drowning in stress and exhaustion, she spent evenings reading Ethan bedtime stories. Instead of constant worry, she took him on weekend trips, just the two of them, exploring places he had always wanted to see. Instead of being lost in the past, she focused on his future. One night, as she tucked him into bed, he looked up at her with those big, curious eyes and asked, “Are we going to
The psychiatric wing of the prison was cold, clinical. The walls were painted a dull gray, the air thick with the sterile scent of disinfectant. Every step down the hallway felt heavier than the last, as if some invisible force was pushing her back, telling her to turn around. But she didn’t. A guard led her into a separate observation room, where a thick pane of bulletproof glass separated her from Vanessa Steele. The woman sitting in the padded cell was a ghost of who she had been. Gone was the polished, confident Vanessa who once walked into a room owning it. This Vanessa was frail. Her once flawless hair hung in uneven strands, her nails bitten down to nothing. She sat on the floor, rocking back and forth, her knees pulled to her chest. And her lips… They never stopped moving. Tasha knew what she was saying before she even heard it. “Tasha… Tasha… Tasha…” A chill ran through her spine. Vanessa hadn’t even noticed her yet. She was lost in her own world, whispe
The court psychiatrist leaned in and whispered something to the judge. The judge nodded grimly before banging his gavel. “Enough,” he said. His voice was final. “The defendant will undergo a full psychological evaluation.” As the guards dragged Vanessa from the courtroom, her screams echoed off the walls. “This isn’t over, Tasha!” she shrieked. “You hear me?! IT’S NOT OVER!” But it was. Two weeks later, the courtroom was silent as the judge read the final decision. “Vanessa Steele, this court finds you guilty on all counts,” he declared. Murmurs spread through the room. Vanessa sat, expression blank, her fingers twitching. “For the crimes of attempted murder, conspiracy, and the murder of Mike Anderson, you are sentenced to forty years in a high security psychiatric prison.” Vanessa didn’t move. The bailiffs approached, preparing to escort her away. That was when she began to laugh. Soft at first. Then louder. She threw her head back, cackling. It was the laugh
A sharp cry. Both Tasha and Daniel moved closer just in time to see Vanessa thrashing against the officers restraining her. But something was different now. Gone was the cold, calculating woman who had threatened Tasha moments ago. In her place was someone frantic, unhinged someone unraveling before their eyes. “No! No, Tasha is the real culprit!” Vanessa shrieked, her voice rising in hysteria. “You should arrest her! She took everything from me!” Tasha’s breath caught in her throat as she watched Vanessa’s wild eyes dart between her and Daniel. It was as if something inside Vanessa had finally cracked, something that had been holding her together just long enough to get to this point. Daniel tensed beside her, his jaw locking as Vanessa’s attention snapped to him. “Daniel—” she pleaded, her voice turning desperate. “Daniel, tell them! Don’t let Tasha take everything from me! You know you still love me! I know you do! She came between us! She ruined everything! She—” Her w
Vanessa’s breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as she glared at Tasha, her eyes burning with pure hatred. Her fingers twitched as if itching to grab the gun again, but Daniel stood between them now, his stance rigid, protective. “You should have stayed away from me and my family,” Tasha said, stepping closer, her voice like ice. “You should have accepted Daniel’s offer and left to start over.” Vanessa let out a bitter laugh, her face twisting in anger. “Start over?” she spat. “While you get to have everything? While I’m left with nothing?” Tasha’s jaw clenched. Enough. Without warning, she struck her palm cracking against Vanessa’s cheek in a sharp, resounding slap. Vanessa’s head snapped to the side, but before she could react, another slap landed, harder, making her stumble slightly. “Don’t ever mess with my family,” Tasha warned, her voice low and deadly. “Or next time, there will be no next cause you won’t even get the opportunity to do that.” Vanessa’s lips curled into
Vanessa’s eyes blazed with long buried resentment, her voice dripping with venom. “Do you know why I’ve always hated you?” she asked, her tone low but vibrating with raw emotion. Tasha didn’t flinch, her gaze steady. “Of course,” she replied coldly. “You said it yourself, it’s always about Daniel.” Vanessa’s lips curled into a bitter snarl. “Not just that,” she spat, her voice trembling with anger. “You took everything away from me. You stole my future. You and that bitch, Vivienne.” Tasha’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Vivienne. A cold wave of realization passed through her, but she stayed silent, letting Vanessa unravel. Vanessa continued, her voice rising with each word. “Do you remember the full ride scholarship to the fashion school Mr. Sterling offered you back then? That scholarship was supposed to be mine!” Her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. “I worked for it, I earned it. But then you showed up, some nobody from the gutter and took it from me!”
Tasha’s footsteps crunched softly against the damp earth as she neared the back of the Edge Café. The old, weathered building loomed silently in the early morning mist, the neon sign above flickering faintly as if struggling to wake up with the rest of the world. Beyond the café, the narrow path led down toward the stream, the gentle sound of flowing water growing louder with each step. Her heart pounded, every beat echoing in her ears as she slowed her pace. The air smelled of earth and dew, a crispness that clung to her skin. She scanned the area, her eyes sharp beneath the shadow of her hoodie. The place was eerily still. No movement. No sign of Vanessa. Yet. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, her stomach twisting. It was a message from Daniel: I’m on my way. Stay where I can find you. Tasha’s thumb hovered over the reply button, but she
He hesitated, clearly torn between his duty and her command. “Ma’am, please—” “I’ll be fine,” she interrupted gently but firmly. “No one follows me.” The guard clenched his jaw, clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but reluctantly nodded. “Be careful,” he muttered, watching as she slipped through the gate and disappeared into the early morning haze. The air outside was crisp, almost biting, but Tasha barely felt it. She pulled the hoodie over her head, tucking her hair inside as she walked briskly down the street. Every step echoed in her ears, mingling with the rapid beat of her heart. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she quickly pulled it out. A message flashed across the screen. I knew you’d come around. Meet me behind the café, down to the stream. Tasha scoffed softly, shaking her head. She glanced at the time 5:20 AM. Time was slipping fast. Without thinking too much, she opened her messages and typed quickly to Daniel. Meet me behind the café, down to the str