Page 38 of Triplet Babies for the CEO

She hugs me, her arms strong and grounding. “Tasha,” Gemma murmurs, “you’re not your mom. You care enough to worry about this, which already makes you different. But you have to believe that you’re different. You have to believe that you can be better, do better.”

Despite her words, the fear still lingers, dark and heavy.

What if I’m just destined to repeat the cycle?

Pulling back slightly, she looks me straight in the eyes. “You have to tell Brody,” she says softly, her voice firm. “He’ll be there for you, Tasha. I know he will. This isn’t something you have to face alone.”

Shaking my head, the thoughts are far overwhelming. “Please, Gemma, don’t say anything yet. I…I need time to think,” I plead. The idea of bringing this news to Brody fills me with dread.

What if he just sees me as…irresponsible, another mistake?

“He hired me to help organize his life, not mess it up.”

A pang of guilt ripples through me as Gemma studies me, her expression a mix of compassion and worry. “Tasha, he cares about you. This isn’t some passing fling for him.”

But the fear is lodged too deep.

“I’ve only ever been good at screwing things up, Gemma. Everyone in my family just makes the same mistakes over and over. It’s like we can’t escape.”

I can’t keep the bitterness from my voice, the anger at how small and trapped I feel.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” I add, my hands shaking. “I was finally going somewhere…finally doing something different. And now?”

Gemma sighs heavily, her hand resting on my arm. “I get that this is terrifying, but you have a choice. You have Brody, and you have me, too. You’re not alone here.”

Despite her reassurance, the doubt remains.

Am I capable of being better?

Or am I just going to end up living the very life I was trying so hard to leave behind?

Chapter Fourteen

Brody

I’m struck by how empty it feels without Tasha bustling around as I walk into the quiet house.

Usually, I’d hear her laughter echoing from the kitchen or her soft humming as she worked, her voice filling each space with life.

There’s a stillness here that I hadn’t noticed before, a kind of hollow quiet that settles in the corners of each room, stretching into the hallway.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d gotten used to having her here: her energy, her smile, the way she brings a sense of ease and warmth that seems to seep into the walls themselves.

Work has been a constant grind without her at my side, and I feel the absence of her presence keenly. Just her small glancesand easy smiles throughout the day had become a kind of anchor for me.

Tasha made even the toughest days feel lighter. Now, knowing she’s still under the weather, I feel an ache to do something for her, something that shows her she’s not just another part of my day.

Dropping my keys on the counter, I make my way to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and ladling some of Dana’s chicken and rice soup, rich and aromatic, into it. The steam wafts up, and I can almost imagine the way Tasha’s face will light up at the simple gesture.

I balance the bowl on a tray, making my way upstairs, each step mindful and quiet. I knock softly on her door, pushing it open just a crack, and there she is—curled up in bed, her hair spilling over the pillow like strands of silk.

She’s tired, but when she sees me, a gentle smile spreads across her face, soft and warm. It’s the kind of smile that feels like home.

“You’re too good to me,” she murmurs, sitting up slowly as I place the tray in front of her. Her jade green eyes meet mine, and they’re full of that quiet, genuine gratitude that’s like a balm to something deep inside me I hadn’t realized needed healing.

“Just taking care of you, darlin’,” I reply, my tone casual, though the way she looks at me is melting every wall I’ve built up over the years. I lean down and kiss her on the head.

I don’t even know if she realizes how much of an impact that small, grateful look has on me, but I can feel it, settling in my chest, making everything feel right for once.

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