The night passed in restless waves for Daniel. Sleep evaded him, his mind replaying every moment of the gala, the argument with Venessa, and most of all, Tasha. She was so close, below him, in the same building. He couldn’t shake the gnawing need to see her again, to make sense of the emotions he was caught in. The clock read 6:30 AM when he finally gave up trying to rest. The soft hum of the city waking up outside the window barely registered as he got up, throwing on a shirt and jeans. He paced the room for a few minutes, debating whether this was the right thing to do, but his feet moved on their own. Before he knew it, Daniel was standing in front of Tasha’s door on the floor below. His hand hovered over the doorbell for a moment. What was he even going to say? But the pull was too strong. He pressed the button, and after a few beats, the door opened. To his surprise, it wasn’t Tasha who stood on the other side but R
Back in his apartment, Daniel couldn’t shake the thoughts that swirled in his mind. Robbin... Are they really married? he wondered, pacing the floor. Has Tasha really moved on? The image of Ethan calling Robbin "Dad" played over and over in his head. But then, at another moment, the boy had called him "Uncle Robbin." Daniel couldn’t piece it together. Was Robbin just a close friend? Or had Tasha truly built a new life without him? He clenched his fists, feeling a tightness in his chest. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he wasn’t ready to face the truth just yet. Daniel leaned against the window, staring blankly at the city below, lost in thought. The idea of Tasha moving on, building a new life with Robbin, felt like a weight he couldn't shake off. He ran his hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. Ethan called him Dad... but also Uncle Robbin. Daniel’s mind spun, trying to figure out their relationship. His heart wanted to believe Tasha hadn’t moved on, but
The pressure was mounting as the fashion contest drew closer. Tasha could feel it in every thread, every fabric she touched. Her designs were more than just garments, they were her life, her future. But there was one complication she couldn’t afford: Daniel. When Mr. Belvoir had assigned them to work together, Tasha had no choice but to keep things strictly professional. She had already spent enough time trying to bury the past. Now, she was determined to focus on what really mattered, her career, her son, and this contest. The studio was buzzing with activity as Tasha stepped inside, her eyes sweeping over the organized chaos. Models were getting ready for their fittings, and assistants hurried around her, making adjustments. She quickly glanced at her watch. The meeting with Mr. Belvoir was set to begin soon, and yet there was no sign of Daniel. Of course, she thought bitterly, he would be late for something this important. But she pushed the thought aside. She didn’t care, not a
Her heart raced as she stared at the message, confusion swirling in her mind. She knew it was late, and this couldn’t be just anyone. Only a few people had her number, Robbin being one of them. Her thumb hovered over the reply button, unsure of what to do. Could it be him? And if it was, why at the rooftop? Why now, in the middle of the night? She glanced at the clock: 11:45 p.m. The rooftop was just few floors above her apartment. Something told her not to go. But before she could stop herself, she grabbed a sweater, slipping quietly out the door. As she took the elevator, her pulse quickened with every second. When she reached the rooftop, she scanned the dimly lit space, the cold night air biting at her skin. And then she saw him. Daniel stood near the edge, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. His back was to her, and for a moment, she debate
The day of the fashion contest finally arrived, and the energy was electric. Tasha had been working tirelessly alongside her team to make sure everything was perfect. This was her moment, her chance to prove herself, and she couldn’t afford anything to go wrong. As the models were getting dressed backstage, Tasha made her rounds, ensuring every detail was flawless the makeup, the hair, the fittings. Robbin had come by earlier to wish her luck, and even though Daniel hadn’t shown his face yet, she tried not to let her thoughts drift to him. This was strictly business. Everything was running smoothly until one of the assistants rushed over, her face pale with panic. “Tasha,” the assistant stammered, “there’s been an accident. Julia, the main model, she... she broke her heel and fell. I think it’s her leg. She’s saying she can’t walk.” Tasha’s heart dropped. Julia was their centerpiece model, the one wearing the highlight of t
The lights dimmed dramatically, and the gentle hum of the music, casting an air of anticipation over the crowd. The models began their procession down the runway, each one displaying stunning designs that spoke of craftsmanship and innovation. The audience, filled with high-profile guests, including investors and fashion critics, watched with focused eyes. Every step, every glance, every turn of the models was scrutinized, but beneath the surface, there was an electric tension in the air. The murmurs of appreciation grew louder with each design, but despite the applause, there was still an undercurrent of expectancy. Everyone knew the centerpiece, the crowning jewel of the collection, was still to come. And that’s what they were waiting for. Backstage, chaos had erupted. Julia, the intended centerpiece model, sat in distress, holding her ankle, which was visibly swollen from Venessa’s sabotage. The team was in a panic, rushing to find a solu
Just as Daniel was about to approach Tasha, Robbin emerged from the side, wrapping his arms around her in a supportive embrace. “You were incredible out there!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Tasha smiled, a mix of relief and excitement flooding through her. Before she could respond, Robbin leaned in, planting a quick kiss on her cheek, a gesture of encouragement and camaraderie. Daniel paused, his heart sinking slightly at the sight. He was just a few steps away, but now he felt like an outsider looking in. The warmth of their connection, the ease with which they interacted, ignited a flicker of jealousy within him. “Robbin,” Tasha said, turning her head slightly to look at Daniel, her eyes betraying a hint of unknown. “I couldn’t have done it without your support.” “Of course! You were the star of the show,” Robbin replied, his tone playful yet sincere. He turned, catching sight of Daniel for the first time. “Hey, man. Good to see you again.” Dan
Daniel paced his apartment after the short conversation with Robbin, thoughts racing. He had to talk to Venessa, clear things up once and for all. The situation with Tasha, the fashion contest, everything was going out of control, and he knew Venessa had a hand in it. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Venessa. Come over. Now. It didn’t take long before there was a knock at the door. When Daniel opened it, Venessa stood there, looking as confident as ever, a smirk playing on her lips. "What’s this about, Daniel?" she asked, stepping inside without being invited. Daniel’s jaw tightened as he closed the door. "You know exactly what this is about." Venessa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is it about Tasha again? I told you she's nothing but a distraction." Daniel’s eyes darkened, stepping closer to her. "I don’t care what you think. You’ve been playing games for too long. You tried to sabotaged the fashion show, didn’t you? Julia’s accident, the missing clothes... a
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 le
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