"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 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
Tasha returned to her office, a space she was slowly reacquainting herself with. The desk was neat, but the folders she had been reviewing were beginning to pile up. With her laptop open, she started typing up notes on the mismanagement issues she had observed earlier in the day. Later on the sound of her phone vibrating on the desk broke her concentration. She glanced at the caller ID: Daniel. Answering, she placed the phone to her ear. “Hello?” “Hey, Mom!” a small, cheerful voice replied. Tasha smiled instantly, leaning back in her chair. “Hey, sweetheart. Are you having fun?” “Yes, Mom!” Ethan’s voice was brimming with excitement. “Dad and I went to this huge toy store, and I got to build my own model car!” “That sounds amazing, Ethan. Did you let Dad pick the colors, or did you choose them all yourself?” Ethan giggled. “I chose them! But Dad said my car’s design was better than his.” Tasha laughed softly, imagining the scene. “Well, of course it is. You’ve always
The next day, after a busy day at work, Tasha made arrangements for Ethan to stay with Claire for the evening. She trusted Claire, who had happily agreed to keep him entertained, mentioning something about movies and pizza. With Ethan settled, Tasha prepared herself to meet Daniel, unsure of what the evening would bring. As she arrived at the small, upscale café Daniel had suggested, Tasha took a moment to steady her nerves. The space was intimate, with dim lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. She spotted Daniel sitting at a table in the corner, his posture relaxed yet commanding as he sipped from a glass of water. When he saw her, he stood up, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Tasha,” he greeted, gesturing toward the seat across from him. “Thanks for coming.” She nodded, taking her seat. “You didn’t really leave me much of a choice,” she replied lightly, though her tone held an edge of seriousness. Daniel chuckled softly. “Fair enough. I wasn’t sure if you’d show.
“No,” Daniel said firmly, his voice tinged with desperation. “I don’t expect anything, Tasha. I just need you to know the truth. I’ve spent these years pretending I was okay when I wasn’t. I couldn’t even bring myself to live in this house because it wasn’t home without you. Do you know how pathetic that feels? To have everything but still feel like you’ve lost it all?” Tasha’s breathing quickened as his words struck a chord deep within her. She wanted to push him away, to walk out and never look back, but there was something in his eyes a vulnerability she had never seen before, that made her pause. “I kept everything, Tash,” Daniel continued, his voice breaking slightly. “Your things, your memories... even this house. I kept it all because I couldn’t bear to let go of you completely. And now, seeing you again, being near you and... it’s brought everything back. I know I don’t deserve it, but I need you to understand that you’ve always been on my mind. Always.” Tasha closed h
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 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
Tasha glanced at the clock again, tapping her fingers against her arm. They should be back by now. She paced slightly, trying to shake off the strange unease creeping in. Maybe traffic was bad. Maybe Ethan had asked Daniel to stop somewhere. She walked to the window, peering outside. Still nothing. With a sigh, she turned away, only for the sound of a car pulling into the driveway to grab her attention. She moved back toward the door just as it opened, and the first thing she heard was Ethan’s excited voice. “Mom! We got ice cream!” Tasha barely had time to react before Ethan ran up to her, his face bright with excitement. “It was soooo good! Dad let me pick any flavor I wanted, and I got chocolate and cookies and cream! And I added M&Ms, and whipped cream, and even caramel drizzle!” He bounced on his feet as she smoothed his curls, trying not to let her gaze drift to Daniel, who
Tasha stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, her fingers hovering over the screen. Her heart raced, unsure of the words she had just typed. 'Let’s talk tomorrow' It was a simple message, but it carried so much weight, so many layers of emotions she couldn’t yet understand. She bit her lip, debating whether she should send it. What if it triggered something else or something she wasn’t ready to face? But then again, the words were already there. She couldn’t take them back, could she? A deep breath escaped her as she pressed her thumb on the screen and clicked send. The phone buzzed softly in her hand, the message now sent into the ether. She waited. For what? She wasn’t sure. A response, perhaps? Some kind of acknowledgment that she hadn’t completely lost herself or the person she used to be? Minutes passed. Nothing. Tasha let out a shaky breath and put the phone d
Ethan had always been an observant child. He wasn’t the type to ask too many questions, but he noticed everything. And lately, things felt... off. His mom was home now. She was healthy again. That should’ve made everything better, but it didn’t. Because something was missing. Or rather, someone. Ethan sat on the couch, hugging his knees as he watched his mom laughing softly at something Robbin said. She looked happy, but it wasn’t the kind of happiness Ethan was used to seeing. Though, not like she often smile at his dad. Not like when his family felt whole to him at some point. His little heart twisted. “Mom?” he finally spoke up.
Daniel stood outside the estate long after the doors had shut. The weight of Tasha’s words crushed him. "I don’t trust you." How had it come to this? He clenched his fists, inhaling deeply. He could feel Robbin watching from inside, probably smug, thinking he had won. But Daniel wasn’t giving up. Not this time. With one last glance at the estate, he turned, heading to his car. His mind was already working. If he couldn’t force his way in, he needed another way to reach Tasha. And he knew exactly where to start. Tasha lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her head ached. Her body was exhausted. But her mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Seeing Daniel had unsettled her in ways she hadn’t expected. His presence had stirred something deep inside, something familiar, something
Daniel sat across from Stanley in his dimly lit apartment. The room was still in shambles, glass shards on the floor, the remnants of his drunken rage evident in the broken furniture and toppled whiskey bottle. His head throbbed, and his heart ached even more. Stanley handed him another bottle of water. “You need to get a grip, Daniel.” Daniel scoffed, taking a sip. “A grip? hmm... Tasha doesn’t even want me around. My own son looks at me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear again. And on top of that, Vanessa is still out there. What exactly am I supposed to get a grip on?” Stanley leaned back in the chair, sighing. “You want Tasha back, right?” Daniel shot him a glare. “What kind of question is that?” “Then act like it,” Stanley snapped. “Drinking yourself into a stupor won’t fix anything. If you’re going to win her back, you need a plan. Right now, all she know
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