Later that evening, Tasha went to Ethan's room. The light in the hallway cast a soft glow into the space, revealing Ethan sitting cross-legged on his bed, his small face etched with confusion. Tasha could see he was still bothered by what had happened earlier with Venessa. She tried to steady herself as she approached him, determined to offer comfort and clarity. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said softly, sitting on the edge of his bed. “You doing okay?” Ethan looked up at her, his eyes big and filled with questions. “Mom, why did that lady call me that? What's a ‘basta...?’” Before he could finish, Tasha cut him off gently, “Don't say that word, honey. It's not a good word, and you don't ever need to repeat it.” “But why did she say it?” Ethan pressed, his voice filled with the innocent curiosity only a child could have. “Is it because I don't have a real dad?” Tasha's heart clenched at his words. She hadn’t anticipated this moment—having to explain such harsh realities to him. Sh
Daniel hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking her hand. His touch was familiar, but the circumstances couldn’t have been more different. “Tasha,” he replied, his voice low, his eyes searching hers for something she wasn’t ready to give. Venessa, standing beside Daniel with a smug expression, wasted no time inserting herself into the conversation. “Oh, Tasha, how lovely to see you again,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.” Tasha returned the smile, though hers was far more genuine. “Likewise, Venessa. It’s been... a while.” The tension between the four of them was palpable. Venessa squeezed Daniel’s arm tighter, as if staking her claim, while Daniel remained silent, his gaze flickering between Tasha and Venessa. “Well,” Mr. Belvoir continued, oblivious to the undercurrents, “I’m sure the two of you will have plenty to discuss over the course of the evening. I’ll leave you to it. There are some other guests I need
Tasha slowly stood, her heart thudding in her chest. She had prepared herself for this moment, Daniel being reintroduced into her professional life, but nothing could quite compare to the reality of standing in front of him once again. Robbin, sensing the shift in energy, stood beside her but remained silent. His eyes flicked between Tasha and Daniel, though he was unaware of the deeper history between them. "Daniel," Mr. Belvoir continued, motioning toward him, "this is Tasha, the creative genius behind the designs we’ve been so excited about. Tasha, Daniel is one of our biggest investors for the project." Daniel’s expression was composed, his eyes flickering with something Tasha couldn’t quite place. His hand extended toward her, and she hesitated only briefly before taking it. "Nice to meet you," Daniel said, his voice deep and steady. Tasha met his gaze evenly. "Likewise," she responded, her voice calm though her thoughts were racing. Their handshake lingered a momen
As they entered the apartment, the soft hum of the elevator still lingered in the background. Claire offered a quiet goodnight before retreating to her room, leaving Tasha and Robbin alone in the living room.Tasha stood by the window, gazing out at the city lights, her mind replaying the events from the evening. She didn’t want to talk about it, not now, not yet. The weight of everything with Venessa, and even Daniel, felt too heavy to carry at this moment.Robbin approached her gently, his presence calm and reassuring. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured softly, as if sensing her need for silence. Tasha turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a soft vulnerability. “Thank you, Robbin,” she whispered. “For always being there. For Ethan, for me…”Before he could respond, she leaned in, kissing him. What began as a soft kiss quickly turned more intense, her hands finding their way to his chest, pulling him closer. He res
“Not that serious?” Daniel's voice came out low, cold, almost dangerous. His fists clenched at his sides, the weight of Venessa’s words sinking into him like a knife. “She saved your life, Venessa. And you... you trashed it like it meant nothing?” Venessa rolled her eyes, that infuriating smirk playing at the corner of her lips. She had always been this way careless, selfish, and utterly incapable of seeing beyond her own needs. Daniel couldn’t help but think how wrong he had been about her all those years ago. "Spare me the lecture, Daniel," she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. "You think you're some kind of hero, don't you? Running to her defense like she’s some martyr? She came between us, She’s not innocent. None of us are." His jaw tightened as he took a step closer, anger coursing through him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Tasha had given up her blood to save Venessa’s life, and this was how she repaid her? With mockery and disdain? But before he could
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
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
"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 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?”
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
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
“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
After the Visit to Mr Belvoir's house, Tasha relaxed in her room as her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Claire’s name flashing on the screen. She smiled, picking up as she walked back inside. “Hey, Tasha!” Claire greeted, her face filling the screen with a warm smile. “I’ve missed you! How are things over there in London?” Tasha relaxed, her smile widening. “It’s been a lot, Claire. But good, I think. Mr. Belvoir, 'Daddd' wants me to step into this big role in his company. Can you believe it?” Claire's eyebrows shot up. “Belvoir Couture’s queen in the making, makes total sense to me! You’ll handle it beautifully.” Tasha laughed softly, shaking her head. “I don’t know, Claire. It’s a lot. But hey, how’s New York treating you?” “Oh, New York is... well, it’s never dull, that’s for sure.” Claire hesitated, her tone shifting. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about. It’s… odd.” “Odd?” Tasha’s curiosity piqued. “Go on.” Claire leaned closer to the
Tasha's phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Robbin’s name on the screen. She hadn’t heard from him in so long especially with everything that had happened lately, his absence had been puzzling. She stepped aside, answering with a cautious “Hello?” “Tasha, hey… it’s been a while.” “Robbin,” she replied, her tone mixed with relief and curiosity. “Where are you? I thought you’d be in London by now, you said you’d be here last week.” A slight hesitation filled the line before he spoke. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve been tied up with some… kinda family issues in Paris. Something came up last minute, and I couldn’t get away like I’d planned.” “Family?” Tasha questioned, surprised. “You’ve never mentioned any family in Paris.” Robbin’s voice s
Tasha stepped onto the balcony of her London apartment, dialing Claire’s number. She needed to hear her friend’s voice, to process everything that had happened with Mr. Belvoir. After a couple of rings, Claire’s familiar voice answered on the other end. “Tasha! How’s it going over there?” Claire asked cheerfully. Tasha sighed, her eyes drifting to the bustling city below. “Well… it’s been a whirlwind. I met him... I met Mr. Belvoir, Claire. Turns out his my father. He’s—” She hesitated, struggling to find the words. “He’s not what I expected.” There was a pause, and then Claire’s gentle tone filled the silence. “Tasha, that’s huge. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Woah, Mr Belvoir? How are you holding up?” “It’s surreal. He’s saying all the right things, you know? That he wants to know me, that he regrets not being in my life. I mean, maybe I've been searching for this my entire life, and now he’s here,” Tasha admi