“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
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
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
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?”
"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.
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