Stanley leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he smirked at Daniel. "So, about the wedding..."
Daniel glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “What about it? Don’t tell me your brothers managed to change the date for you again?” Stanley chuckled. “Not a chance. It’s set now. December 12th. Non-negotiable.” Daniel gave a small nod, taking a sip of his drink. “Good. I’m glad you finally managed to pin it down. Rebecca must be thrilled.” “She is,” Stanley said, his grin widening. “But there’s something else. I need you to be my best man.” Daniel paused mid-sip, then slowly placed his glass down, giving Stanley an incredulous look. “Me? Are you sure about that? You have brothers, cousins... people better suited for the job.”The conference room buzzed with anticipation. Executives sat in their best suits, some glancing nervously at the clock, others whispering theories about the identity of the new CEO. The air was thick with curiosity, the kind that made every second feel like an eternity. Vanessa leaned against the wall near the back, arms folded, her face a mask of disdain. “Probably some spoiled kid with no idea how to run a company,” she hissed to a colleague. Her annoyance was palpable, but no one dared to engage. The restroom was quiet except for the soft hum of the overhead lights. Tasha stood at the mirror, adjusting her blazer, her reflection radiating confidence. Her sleek black suit and emerald blouse hugged her figure perfectly. As she reached for her lipstick, the door swung open, and Vanessa strutted in, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. Her sharp gaze fell on Tasha immediately, narrowing as she took in her polished appearance. “Well, well,” Vanessa sneered, stepping to th
Gasps heard from across the room as heads turned in shock, their eyes darting to the elegant woman emerging from the shadows. Tasha stepped forward, she moved with confidence, her expression calm but carrying a glimmer of emotion that betrayed her nerves. Cameras flashed as Mr. Belvoir held out his hand to her. Tasha took it, stepping onto the stage beside him. For a moment, she stood there, scanning the room, her chin held high. The room erupted into applause some hesitant, some enthusiastic, but all carrying the weight of this monumental revelation. Tasha leaned into the microphone, glancing briefly at her father before addressing the crowd. "Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight. I know this may come as a surprise to many of you, but I promise to give my all to continue the legacy of Belvoir Couture." As the applause swelled again, Tasha's eyes caught Vanessa, her expression shifted, uncomfortably. Her jaw clenched, her knuckles white as she gripped her champagne glas
Daniel sat in his apartment, the warm glow of his laptop screen reflecting off his face as he absentmindedly scrolled through the news. He had been trying to distract himself after the whirlwind of emotions from the past few days. With a glass of whiskey beside him, he leaned back into the plush couch, his mind only half-engaged with the articles he skimmed. Then a headline caught his eye: "The Return of the Heiress: Tasha Belvoir Takes the Reins of Belvoir Couture" His hand froze on the trackpad. He blinked, as though unsure if he had read it correctly. His heart started to beat faster as he clicked on the article. There she was, front and center in a photograph accompanying the piece. Tasha, poised and elegant, standing beside Mr. Belvoir at what looked like a grand event. She looked breathtaking, he
Tasha glanced down at the document, then back at Vanessa with a composed expression. “Oh, this?” she said, picking up the paper and flipping through it casually. “It’s from the company.” Her gaze flicked up, sharp and unyielding. “I’m sure you know how to read, Vanessa. It clearly states that your payments will be redirected to cover the expenses of the fashion show you sabotaged.” Vanessa’s jaw dropped, her face flushed with indignation. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Tasha placed the paper back on the desk and leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping a notch. “I don’t joke about company finances. You made a mess, and now you’re cleaning it up. That’s what accountability looks like, Vanessa.” Vanessa took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. “You think you can just waltz in here and humiliate me like this?” Tasha’s cold smile widened ever so slightly. “Humiliation? No,
After work, Tasha stepped into her home, shrugging off the weight of the day as Ethan darted out of his room, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. “Mom, you’re home early!” he exclaimed. “I am,” Tasha replied with a soft smile, ruffling his hair. “And I’ve got some news. Robbin’s coming over for dinner tonight.” Ethan’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? Robbin’s here? I’ve missed him so much!” “I know, sweetheart,” she said, pulling him in for a quick hug. “Now, go wash up and be ready to say hi when he gets here.” Ethan nodded enthusiastically and rushed off, leaving Tasha to find Rose in the kitchen. “Robbin’s coming over for dinner,” Tasha informed Rose as she leaned against the counter. “Oh, really?” Rose teased, raising an eyebrow. “Should I make something extra special, or do you two have a go-to favorite?” Tasha chuckled, shaking her head. “Nothing fancy, just our usual. But I’ll help.” As the two started prepping the meal, the doorbell rang, right on time.
"Clearly," Robbin replied, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. He studied her like he was trying to piece together a puzzle. "But I’m here now. So why don’t you start explaining?" Her eyes dropped to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. "Daniel… Daniel is Ethan’s dad." For a long moment, silence filled the room. It felt heavy, oppressive. Tasha risked a glance at Robbin, expecting shock or outrage, but his face was unreadable. Finally, he exhaled deeply. "I know, Tash," he said quietly. Her head shot up, her eyes wide. "You knew?" Robbin nodded, his voice calm but tinged with hurt. "I figured it out a while ago. But what I don’t understand is why you kept this from me. You lied, Tasha. That day in the hospital, you told me you didn’t know who Ethan’s father was." Tasha winced at the memory, guilt flashing across her face. "I didn’t know how to tell you, Robbin. It wasn’t just about you it was about protecting Ethan. Protecting myself. After everything that
The morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows of Tasha’s office, highlighting the faint bags under her eyes as she sifted through the mountain of paperwork in front of her. She took a deep breath, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to ease the dull ache that had been building since she woke up. Claire, popped her head into the room, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a small pastry. “Morning, boss. You look like you need this more than I do.” Tasha looked up, offering a tired smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Claire.” “Flattery gets you nowhere,” Claire teased, setting the tray on the desk. “But seriously, you’ve been here since six. Did you even eat breakfast?” Tasha waved her off. “I’m fine. There’s too much to do to worry about food right now and besides, I don't even have the appetite for food right now.” Claire folded her arms, unimpressed. “Tasha, skipping meals isn’t heroic; it’s stupid. At least eat this pastry while it’s still
“Help!” Robbin shouted, dropping to his knees and cradling her limp form. “Someone call for help!” A nearby security guard rushed over, already reaching for his radio. “What’s going on here?” “She fainted,” Robbin said, his voice trembling as he brushed the hair from Tasha’s face. “She needs medical attention now!” The guard nodded, quickly calling for backup. A crowd started to form, whispers filling the air, but before the situation could escalate further, Daniel appeared, his sharp, commanding presence cutting through the chaos. “What the hell is going on?” Daniel demanded, his eyes narrowing as he saw Tasha unconscious in Robbin’s arms. “She collapsed,” Robbin replied, his voice taut with worry. “We need to get her to the hospital.” Daniel’s gaze darted to the growing crowd. “Not here,” he muttered, already stepping forward. “I’ll drive. Help me get her to the car.” Robbin hesitated, glancing at Daniel before nodding. Together, they carefully lifted Tasha, her arms draped
Later that Evening Tasha stared at the screen for a moment, her finger hovering over the keyboard. She hadn't expected a message from Daniel tonight, especially not after everything that had happened. But there it was, the simple "Hey" that sent a ripple of emotion through her. She bit her lip, uncertainty flooding her. Was this the right time to respond? Did she even know what to say? But before she could overthink it too much, her fingers moved on their own. "Hey," she typed back, her message short and neutral, but it was enough to let him know she was still there. A few seconds passed before his reply came through. "I know we haven’t talked much, but I wanted to check in. How are you doing?" Tasha's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his words. It was small, but it felt like a bridge between them, something they hadn't shared in a while. She let out a breath, sitting back against the couch, her phone still in her hands. Was it possible to answer honestly, to let him s
As they finished their meal, Claire leaned back in her seat, a sly smile spreading across her face. Tasha noticed the glint in her eyes, the kind of glimmer that always appeared when Claire was up to something.“So, you’ve been awfully quiet lately,” Tasha remarked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m guessing there’s something you’re not telling me.”Claire let out a soft laugh, swirling the ice in her glass. “Maybe. You know, I’ve been seeing someone.”Tasha’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, what? You? Seeing someone?”“Shocking, right?” Claire teased, her lips curling into a smile. “But yeah, I’ve been spending some time with a guy. His name’s Kyle. He’s a friend of one of my college classmates. I didn’t expect it to turn into anything, but... I don’t know. He’s different.”Tasha leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “What’s so different about him?”Claire shrugged, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I don’t know. It’s just... easy with him. We can talk for hours about anything and everything, an
The morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Tasha’s office, illuminating the space with a soft glow. She adjusted her blazer as she settled into her chair, staring at the untouched stack of files on her desk. Returning to work had felt like a monumental decision, especially with everything happening in her personal life, but Tasha had always found solace in staying busy. A knock on the door broke her reverie. "Come in," she called, her tone steady. The door opened to reveal Vivienne, her sharp features softened with a polite smile. "Good morning, Tasha. How’s it feel being back?" Tasha leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Mixed emotions, honestly. But it’s good to see things running smoothly. You've been doing a great job holding down the fort." Vivienne took a seat across from her, crossing one leg over the other. "Thank you, but we’ve missed your leadership. Your insight has always been invaluable." Tasha chuckled softly. "I’m sure you’ve
As they arrived at the ice cream shop, Ethan raced ahead, pressing his face against the glass display to marvel at the array of flavors. His excitement was infectious, and Tasha couldn’t help but smile.“Alright, Ethan,” she said, catching up to him. “What’s it going to be?”“Chocolate chip!” Ethan exclaimed, practically bouncing on his toes.Tasha chuckled. “Good choice.” She glanced at Robbin. “And for you?”“Vanilla,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m simple like that.”Tasha smirked. “Boring, you mean.”“Classic,” Robbin corrected with a grin.As they placed their orders, Tasha noticed Robbin glancing at her thoughtfully. She arched a brow. “What now?”“Nothing,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Just… you seem lighter today. Happier.”She hesitated, looking down at the counter. “Maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just trying to enjoy the moment for Ethan’s sake.”Robbin nodded, his expression softening. “Whatever it is, it’s good to see.”They found a table near the window, Eth
As they sat on the bench, the soft hum of children's laughter and the occasional squeak of swings filled the air. Ethan was running around with a group of kids, his joy infectious even from a distance. Robbin leaned back, arms stretched along the backrest, his eyes scanning the park. After a moment of silence, he turned to Tasha. “So, is there anything going on between you and Daniel?” Tasha tensed but kept her gaze fixed on Ethan. "Why would you ask that?" Robbin gave a low chuckle. “Don’t play coy, Tasha. The guy’s been hanging around a lot lately. People notice.” She sighed, finally looking at him. "And by people, you mean you." He smirked. "Naturally. Can’t help but notice when a guy like Daniel is lurking around the woman I care about." Tasha narrowed her eyes. "He’s Ethan’s father, Robbin. He has a right to be around." Robbin scoffed, sitting up straighter. "A right? That man forfeited any ‘rights’ the moment he walked out on you, on Ethan." Tasha’s jaw tightened, her vo
The next day, Tasha woke up with a lingering headache, the events of the previous night still fresh in her mind. She had barely slept, tossing and turning as her thoughts swirled. The alcohol, her argument with Daniel, the confrontation with Robbin all of it seemed so distant yet so real, like a weight pressing down on her chest. As she sat up, trying to shake off the grogginess, she realized that everything felt different. The house was eerily quiet, and for a moment, she wondered if it was all just a bad dream. But the pain in her head told her otherwise. Robbin had been there last night, a steady presence in the chaos, and as much as she appreciated his support, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being pulled in two different directions. Daniel’s words echoed in her mind—I still love you, Tasha. And yet, with everything that had happened, she wasn’t sure what love really meant anymore. She rubbed her temples, trying to focus. The silence in the house was deafening, a
She swallowed hard, her chest tight with emotion. She nodded slowly, and with that simple action, the door opened and she stepped inside, Daniel following her in. “I’m here,” he said again, his voice steady. “For whatever you need.” Robbin rushed down the stairs, his footsteps heavy and hurried, his mind racing with anger. He had been pacing upstairs, trying to calm himself, but the sight of Daniel and Tasha talking, her slurring her words and leaning on him for support, snapped whatever control he had left. He reached the bottom of the stairs and saw them right away Tasha, standing there, visibly unsteady, leaning against Daniel as though he was the only thing holding her together. His eyes narrowed as he marched toward them. “Tasha!” he shouted, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You’re drunk!” Before Daniel could respond, Robbin reached him in two strides, his hand gripping Daniel’s shirt as he shoved him back against th
Tasha sat alone in her living room, staring blankly at the empty glass on the coffee table. She had spent the day pacing between thoughts and emotions that felt too heavy to carry. The weight of her decisions, of everything that had been happening lately, felt suffocating. Robbin's calls and constant presence now felt distant, while Daniel's silence echoed in her mind. What did she really want? What was she doing? Her fingers hovered over the phone as she typed out a message to Robbin: "I'm sorry for acting out earlier. I just couldn't help it." She paused, staring at the screen, before hitting send. Maybe it would ease the tension, or maybe it wouldn’t. But for now, she just needed to say it. Tasha stood up, her body moving on autopilot as she grabbed her coat and slipped on her shoes. The thought of staying in, of facing all the turmoil that had been building, felt too much. She needed to get away. A quick glance in the mirror she looked fine, but inside, everything felt out o
The room was silent again, but this time it felt different more peaceful, less tense. Tasha’s heart was pounding in her chest, and the walls she’d spent so long building around herself started to crumble. The sincerity in Daniel’s eyes, the weight of his words, the rawness of his emotions, everything was pulling her in. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself, but the intensity of the moment overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she stood up, pacing for a moment as if she could shake off the overwhelming flood of emotions that rushed through her. Her hands trembled slightly, and for a split second, she considered walking away, retreating back to the safety of her guarded heart. But then, Daniel stood up too, slowly approaching her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Tasha..." His voice was soft but filled with a depth that stopped her in her tracks. "You don’t have to be afraid of this. I’m not going anywhere." She felt the tears threatening to spill again, but this time they wer