Dear Readers, Thank you for joining Tasha and Daniel on their journey through love, loss, and the complexities of their past. Your support has been invaluable, and I hope you’ve enjoyed experiencing their perspectives as much as I have writing them. As we move forward, I’ll be switching to the Author's POV to bring you deeper insights and new dimensions to the story. I’m excited for what’s ahead! Please take a moment to like, comment, and review. Your feedback means the world to me and helps shape the future of this story. Thank you for being part of this adventure! Warmly, [Tee Growrich]
Author's POV “Venessa’s older cousin sister,” Claire confirmed. Tasha’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Claire’s laptop screen, still absorbing the surprise from earlier. “Venessa Steele...” she muttered under her breath. “What are the odds she’s working on this project?” Claire, who was still seated beside her, shrugged casually. “Turns out she’s related to Vivienne Steele. Older cousin. That’s probably how she got looped into the Paris team. Small world, right?” Tasha shook her head, unable to hide the slight irritation at the coincidence. “Of course. That explains why she’s here.” Claire smirked. “Yeah, I think she’s got family connections. I thought you might find that interesting.” “I don’t find it interesting,” Tasha replied, a small, amused smile tugging at
Just as Tasha was about to answer Robbin’s question, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his face immediately growing serious. “I have to take this,” he muttered, stepping away for some privacy. Tasha exhaled slowly, grateful for the temporary reprieve. Her mind raced as she watched Robbin disappear into the room, his voice low as he answered the call. She hadn’t been ready to talk about Daniel. Five years of running, hiding, and keeping secrets couldn’t just unravel in a single conversation, especially not now, with Robbin. Moments later, Robbin returned, his expression unreadable. He tucked his phone into his pocket, glancing at her with a mix of concern and something else she couldn’t quite place. “I have to step out for a bit,” he said, his tone clipped. “Something came up.” Tasha frowned. “Is everything okay?” Robbin nodded, but his eyes betrayed him. “Yeah, just... business. I’ll be back soon.” He walked to the living room, leaned down to give Ethan a quick pat
Stanley. The man who had been Daniel’s best friend. The man she had last spoken to five years ago, the night before she left without a word. Tasha’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she froze, her gaze locking with Stanley’s as he casually entered the room, his presence effortlessly commanding attention. He looked just the same, with that same air of confidence. Robbin, standing by the back of the room, immediately picked up on Tasha’s sudden hesitation. He discreetly edged closer, ready to step in if needed, but Tasha took a breath, steeling herself. She had to keep going. This was too important to let the past derail her. Stanley found a seat midway through the room, his eyes never leaving her. The last conversation they’d had echoed in Tasha’s mind, his worried voice asking her what was wrong, his confusion when she’d avoided telling him the truth about Daniel, and the guilt she carried for leaving behind without explanation. But now, in the middle of this impor
Author's POV Daniel was supposed to attend the presentation. It was a critical part of his role, a moment to show focus in the business world. But instead, he had chosen to pass the responsibility to Stanley. After all, Stanley could handle it, he always did. And something else had been pulling at Daniel’s mind ever since Venessa was part of the Paris team. The connection gnawed at him, and yet, there was another distraction, one he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. He hadn't heard from the little boy. The thought was unsettling, and Daniel couldn’t shake it. Something about the kid drew him in, something familiar yet Implacable. As he made his way out the apartment, Daniel stopped at the fifteenth floor. He rang the doorbell, shifting slightly as he waited. A woman opened the door, and for a second, his heart raced with anticipation, hoping it was her Ethan’s mother. But no. "Are you Ethan’s mother?" Daniel asked, trying to mask the disappointment in his voice. The woma
Daniel walked into his office, his mind still replaying the brief encounter with Ethan and the mysterious Ms. Taylor. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story, but he had to push it aside for now. There were matters at the office that demanded his attention. As he stepped into the building, his assistant, Emma, was already waiting by his office door, a tablet in hand. She looked up and gave him a polite smile, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. “Mr. Sterlings, good morning. You have a busy schedule today. The board meeting has been moved up to tomorrow, and there’s a stack of reports you need to review before then,” she said, handing him a list of his appointments. Daniel took the tablet and nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Thanks, Emma. I’ll go through these now. Is Stanley back yet?” “He’s on his way up, sir. He mentioned he’d be stopping by to give you a report on the presentation.” “Good,” Daniel replied absently, already flipping
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
The ride was long, and Robbin’s mind raced with worry as he finally arrived at the hospital. The bright lights and faint scent of antiseptic did little to soothe his nerves. He made his way straight to the nurses’ station. “Tasha Belvoir?” he asked, his voice strained. “She’s in surgery right now along with Mr. Sterling,” one of the nurses responded, her tone calm and professional. She gestured down the hall. “You can wait in the family area through those doors.” Robbin nodded tightly and followed her directions. When he entered the waiting room, he immediately noticed the man sitting there, his posture composed but tense. Mr. Belvoir looked up as Robbin entered. “Robbin, right?” he asked, rising to his feet. Robbin paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah.” Mr. Belvoir extended his hand, his voice steady but with a hint of warmth. “Tasha and Ethan have said much about you.” Robbin hesitated for only a moment before shaking the man’s hand firmly. “I hope it was all g
The door to Tasha’s room swung open, and a nurse stepped out. "We’re ready to transport her," she said, her voice professional yet gentle. Daniel and Robbin exchanged a brief glance, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. "I’ll follow in my car," Robbin said, stepping back. Daniel nodded, then followed the nurse inside. Tasha lay on the bed, her complexion pale but her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. He leaned over, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "Tasha, you’re going to be okay. Just hold on for a little longer." The medical team moved efficiently, transferring Tasha to a stretcher. Daniel stayed close, his hand briefly brushing against hers as they secured her. Outside, the hospital staff guided the stretcher toward the waiting helicopter. The wind from the spinning blades whipped at Daniel’s suit, but his focus remained on Tasha. Robbin stood a few steps behind, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. As the stretcher was loaded in
They stood in silence for a while, the unspoken tension still thick between them. But when a nurse called Daniel back for the next phase of testing, Robbin stayed behind, leaning against the wall and staring at the floor. The final tests were completed, and Doctor Harris entered the room where Daniel and Robbin waited. His expression was serious but composed. “We’ve confirmed the results,” Doctor Harris said, setting a file down on the table. “Daniel is a perfect match. We can move forward with the transplant as soon as possible.” Robbin exhaled sharply, tension visibly leaving his shoulders for a moment. “Thank God.” He glanced at Daniel. “I’ll let Mr Belvoir know.” Daniel remained quiet, his face calm, though his mind raced. He looked to the doctor. “How soon can we proceed?” Doctor Harris adjusted his glasses. “We’ll need a bit
The doctor raised a brow, clearly taken aback by Daniel’s sudden resolve. "We appreciate your willingness, but this isn't a simple process, Mr...?" "Sterling. Daniel Sterling." he replied curtly, his gaze unwavering. "How soon can you run the tests?" The doctor nodded, flipping through the chart. "We’ll start with blood type compatibility and proceed with the necessary tests. It’ll take some time, but every second counts.” Before the doctor could leave, Robbin stepped forward. “Hold on,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You should test me first. I’ve known Tasha for years, and if anyone’s going to be of help, it’ll be me.” Daniel’s jaw tightened as he turned to Robbin. "This isn’t about who’s known her longer. It’s about who can actually help her." Robbin stepped closer, his expression unwavering. "Exactly. And I’m sure I can." The doctor glanced between them, clearly caught in the tension. "We can test both of you. The more options we have, the better." “I’m not leavin
Ethan’s small sneakers squeaked against the hospital floor as Claire led him into the room. His wide, brown eyes darted to the bed where his mother lay, pale and hooked up to monitors. He hesitated for a moment, gripping Claire’s hand tightly. “Mom?” His voice was small, hesitant, and it broke Tasha’s heart. She managed a weak smile, her voice soft but steady. “Hey, baby. Come here.” Ethan didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted to her bedside, wrapping his small hands around hers. “You look tired. Are you okay?” Claire hovered near the doorway, her face a mixture of worry and relief. Robbin stood on the other side of the room, his arms folded tightly, watching everything. “I’m okay, sweetheart. I just need some rest,” Tasha assured him, brushing a hand over his cheek. She caught Claire’s eye, nodding her thanks for bringing Ethan. E
Daniel’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. The tension in the room was palpable as the doctor waited for someone to take the lead. Due to the tension in the room, the doctor awkwardly stepped aside, sensing the weight of unspoken words. Robbin hesitated for a moment before looking at Tasha, his eyes filled with worry. He glanced at the doctor, then at Tasha again. "I'll go with the doctor to sort things out," he said softly, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Rest, Tash. I’ll take care of it.” Tasha nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Robbin followed the doctor out, his shoulders stiff with protective energy. As the door clicked shut behind them, Daniel moved closer to Tasha’s bedside. He stood there for a moment, watching her. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow but steady. The sight of her like thi
“Help!” Robbin shouted, dropping to his knees and cradling her limp form. “Someone call for help!” A nearby security guard rushed over, already reaching for his radio. “What’s going on here?” “She fainted,” Robbin said, his voice trembling as he brushed the hair from Tasha’s face. “She needs medical attention now!” The guard nodded, quickly calling for backup. A crowd started to form, whispers filling the air, but before the situation could escalate further, Daniel appeared, his sharp, commanding presence cutting through the chaos. “What the hell is going on?” Daniel demanded, his eyes narrowing as he saw Tasha unconscious in Robbin’s arms. “She collapsed,” Robbin replied, his voice taut with worry. “We need to get her to the hospital.” Daniel’s gaze darted to the growing crowd. “Not here,” he muttered, already stepping forward. “I’ll drive. Help me get her to the car.” Robbin hesitated, glancing at Daniel before nodding. Together, they carefully lifted Tasha, her arms draped
The morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows of Tasha’s office, highlighting the faint bags under her eyes as she sifted through the mountain of paperwork in front of her. She took a deep breath, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to ease the dull ache that had been building since she woke up. Claire, popped her head into the room, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a small pastry. “Morning, boss. You look like you need this more than I do.” Tasha looked up, offering a tired smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Claire.” “Flattery gets you nowhere,” Claire teased, setting the tray on the desk. “But seriously, you’ve been here since six. Did you even eat breakfast?” Tasha waved her off. “I’m fine. There’s too much to do to worry about food right now and besides, I don't even have the appetite for food right now.” Claire folded her arms, unimpressed. “Tasha, skipping meals isn’t heroic; it’s stupid. At least eat this pastry while it’s still
"Clearly," Robbin replied, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. He studied her like he was trying to piece together a puzzle. "But I’m here now. So why don’t you start explaining?" Her eyes dropped to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. "Daniel… Daniel is Ethan’s dad." For a long moment, silence filled the room. It felt heavy, oppressive. Tasha risked a glance at Robbin, expecting shock or outrage, but his face was unreadable. Finally, he exhaled deeply. "I know, Tash," he said quietly. Her head shot up, her eyes wide. "You knew?" Robbin nodded, his voice calm but tinged with hurt. "I figured it out a while ago. But what I don’t understand is why you kept this from me. You lied, Tasha. That day in the hospital, you told me you didn’t know who Ethan’s father was." Tasha winced at the memory, guilt flashing across her face. "I didn’t know how to tell you, Robbin. It wasn’t just about you it was about protecting Ethan. Protecting myself. After everything that