Daniel shook his head, but the lightness he felt in his chest was undeniable. Stanley was right about one thing: he was curious. And that curiosity was going to drive him crazy. ********** Robbin’s smile was warm as they all entered the apartment. Ethan ran to him with excitement, eager to show off his gadgets. “Look, dad! I’ve been learning how to use the laptop you got me!” Ethan grinned, his little fingers moving across the keys. Tasha stood by the kitchen counter, watching the two of them bond. She couldn’t deny the warmth she felt seeing Ethan so happy. Robbin had been nothing but kind to her and Ethan, but every time he got a little too close, she felt the urge to pull back. The ghost of her past, Daniel hovered over her, casting a shadow on everything. As Robbin placed Ethan’s laptop on the table and turned toward her, she could feel his eyes lingering just a little too long. “Can we talk for a second?” Robbin asked, his voice soft, but there was an intensity behind it.
Daniel's POV Stanley left my office with that smug grin still plastered on his face. As the door clicked shut behind him, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Tasha. Here, in New York. Working on the very project I’ve invested into, Belvoir Couture. The irony was almost unbearable. I thought she was gone for good. When she walked out of my life, there was no looking back. I was sure of it. Yet, here she is. In my city. After all these years, she's back, and somehow, she managed to slip into my world again without even trying. The memories flooded back the arguments, the misunderstandings, the slap. I never cared. I should have. But I was too caught up in the lies and manipulations of my past, too blind to see the truth in front of me. And then... she was gone, leaving me in the wreckage of our life, unable to fix what I had destroyed. I picked up the desk phone, dialing my assistant. "Emma," I said, my voice steady but my heart racing. "Get me e
Author's POV Tasha stood by the kitchen counter, pouring a glass of juice when she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned, and a smile spread across her face as Claire walked in with Ethan, his backpack slung over his tiny shoulders. "Look who’s sharp and ready for school!" Claire said with a bright grin, giving Ethan’s hair a playful ruffle. Ethan beamed up at her, his nervousness momentarily forgotten. "Mom helped me pick out my clothes!" he said, standing proudly in his crisp blue shirt and khakis, looking every bit the brave boy ready for his first day. Tasha chuckled, glancing at her son with a touch of pride. “He’s been planning this outfit all week.” Claire knelt down beside Ethan, adjusting his shirt. "Well, you look like the coolest kid in the entire school. You’re going to make a lot of new friends today, right?" Ethan nodded eagerly, his earlier doubts seemingly erased by Claire’s infectious enthusiasm. “Yeah! I’m ready!” Tasha smiled warmly, grateful for
Mr. Belvoir: "Tasha, just wanted to personally commend you on your incredible work so far. The designs are bold, innovative everything I expected and more. Looking forward to seeing them shine at the upcoming contest. We’re in for something spectacular." Tasha’s heart skipped a beat, a mix of pride and pressure swirling inside her. Mr. Belvoir rarely sent personal messages, and his praise meant a lot. It also meant that the stakes were even higher for the upcoming fashion contest, her biggest opportunity yet. Claire returned from the kitchen with a cup of coffee, noticing the look on Tasha’s face. “Good news?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Tasha held up her phone. “Mr. Belvoir... He’s impressed with everything so far.” Claire grinned. “See? I told you. You’re killing it.” Tasha set the phone down, though her mind was already racing with everything left to do. “Yeah, but the contest... It’s still coming up fast. This could either make my career or sink it. Everything has to be
The ride to the atelier was a blur, her mind running through everything that needed to be done. The fashion contest was looming closer, and the pressure was mounting. But this wasn’t just any competition, it was her chance to make a mark, to solidify her place back in New York’s elite fashion world. When she arrived at the atelier, the familiar hum of activity greeted her. The team was already at work, mannequins stood draped in half-finished gowns, bolts of fabric lay across worktables, and the sound of sewing machines filled the air. This was where Tasha felt most alive, where her creativity could flow freely. “Good morning, everyone,” Tasha called out as she stepped inside. The team greeted her with nods and smiles, eager to hear her next instructions. She walked straight to the design board, studying the sketches she had been working on for weeks. The evening gown was almost complete, but something about the design still felt... off. One of her seamstresses approached, holdi
Tasha didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, her hands pulling Ethan away from Venessa’s tight grip. "Mom!" Ethan cried, his face streaked with tears, clinging to her as if he was terrified of letting go. Tasha’s heart pounded, her breath shallow with anger as she faced Venessa. "Get your hands off my son!" she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with protective fury. Venessa blinked, clearly taken aback at first, but then a wicked smile spread across her lips. "Your son?" she echoed, her tone dripping with malice. Her eyes gleamed with amusement, as if she had found a weakness to exploit. "This bastard?" Before Venessa could utter another vile word, Tasha’s hand flew across her face with a loud, resounding slap. The force of it caused Venessa to stagger back, her hand instinctively reaching for her reddened cheek, shock and humiliation in her eyes. "You will not speak about my child like that," Tasha hissed, her voice low but filled with such intensity that it could cut throug
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
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
Tasha froze, her heart dropping at the sound of Vanessa’s voice. She turned slowly, meeting the Vanessa’s icy gaze. Vanessa stood a few feet away, looking as pristine and put together as ever, her presence demanding attention. “I didn’t realize I had to explain my actions to you,” Tasha replied coolly, her hands instinctively gripping the strap of her purse. Vanessa’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, you don’t have to explain. I just find it funny how you’re acting all innocent, like you don’t know what’s really going on. Daniel doesn’t love you. He never did. You’re just a distraction, something to keep him occupied until I come back into the picture.” Tasha clenched her jaw, refusing to let Vanessa see how her words affected her. “Don’t flatter yourself. Daniel doesn’t need you. You’re nothing but a nuisance.” Vanessa’s eyes flickered with annoyance, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not going anywhere, Tasha. And you might want to watch your back. You’re not the only one with se