جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 170

Tasha gently brushed her fingers through Ethan’s hair, her heart finally beginning to steady as he drifted off to sleep. His breathing was soft, peaceful now, but the memory of his frail body and burning fever still haunted her. She leaned down, placing a tender kiss on his forehead before standing up and quietly stepping out of the room. Robbin was waiting just outside, his back against the wall, arms crossed. His face softened as she approached, exhaustion etched in every line. “I need to get home and pack some things for Ethan,” Tasha whispered, glancing back through the small window to ensure Ethan was still resting peacefully. “His pajamas, some books… maybe his favorite blanket.” Robbin nodded, pushing off the wall. “I’ll come with you.” He patted his pockets, then frowned slightly. “I… didn’t bring my car. Everything happened so fast, I just rushed over here.”

Daniel remained rooted to the spot, his heart pounding like a drum. Tasha’s words lingered in the air, soft but heavy, like a thread pulling at memories he couldn’t suppress. “Thank you, Daniel.” It wasn’t much, but it was enough to ignite a flicker of hope in the wreckage of his heart. Finally, he stood, brushing his palms over his jeans as if trying to steady himself. He quietly made his way back into Ethan’s room, the soft beep of the monitors the only sound filling the space. Robbin was seated by Ethan’s bedside, flipping through a magazine, though his eyes weren’t really focused on the pages. Daniel’s gaze softened when it landed on Ethan, who was still fast asleep, his small chest rising and falling steadily. Daniel crouched beside the bed, his fingers gently brushing through his son’s hair. Leaning in, he whispered softly, “Hey, buddy. I’ll be back soon, okay? Daddy’s just stepping out for a little bit. You’re doing great, champ.” Ethan stirred slightly, his sleepy eyes

Tasha leaned against the wall in the quiet hallway, her arms loosely crossed over her chest. The soft glow from Ethan’s nightlight spilled faintly into the corridor, casting long shadows that seemed to echo the lingering questions in her heart. Robbin stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, watching her with that steady, unreadable gaze. "Umm, Robbin…" she began hesitantly, her voice low but carrying the weight of her thoughts. "The last time… I didn’t mean to pry, but in London, you said you were in Paris for… umm, family." She paused, frowning slightly as she searched the corners of her hazy memory. "But you’ve never mentioned anything about family before. Besides Aunt Linda." Robbin’s casual demeanor shifted subtly. His smile faded, replaced by something guarded. He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes for a moment. "It wasn’t family," he finally admitted, his voice quieter than before. Tasha’s brows knit together. "Then who?" Robbin exhaled sharply,

Tasha wiped at her damp cheeks, her body trembling from the emotional weight pressing down on her. The memories were still disjointed, flickering in and out like a broken film reel, but they were there. She could feel them clawing their way to the surface, demanding to be acknowledged. She sniffled and reached for her phone, her fingers shaking slightly as she unlocked the screen. Her first instinct was to call Daniel, to hear his voice, to confirm what she had just remembered. But as her thumb hovered over his contact, she hesitated. A call felt too much right now. Too raw. Too personal. Instead, she swiped over to her messages, her mind racing with the right words to say. Her pulse thrummed loudly in her ears as she typed out the message: Let’s meet. I want to know, and give you what you truly want. Maybe then, I can even get my full memories back. Her thumb hovered over the send button. She bit her lip, her heart hammering in her chest. Was this the right thing to do?

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