The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

After a sleepless day and night, Herman finally caught a few winks. When he woke up, it was already morning.

The hospital bed was empty.

Anastasia was gone.

Panic surged through him as he rushed out, calling, "Anastasia, Anastasia..."

Anastasia had just had a miscarriage, and he was deeply worried about her health.

After asking a few nurses, he finally found her in the nursery.

Dressed in her hospital gown, Anastasia stood frail and slim before the glass window, gazing at the babies inside.

All the newborns were incredibly adorable.

Anastasia's hands rested on the glass, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched them, wishing her own child could be among them. "Anastasia."

Herman knew what she was thinking. He approached her, gently taking her hand. "Why are you out here? It's cold. Let me take you back to your room."

Anastasia yanked her hand away, her gaze icy. "What, are you afraid I'll confront your grandmother and demand justice for my child?"

Her words left Herman speechless; he had never seen her this cold.

He stammered, his eyes dim, reaching out again, but Anastasia walked past him, heading straight back to her room.

His hand lingered in mid-air as he closed his eyes, his fingers feeling numb.

Just as Anastasia returned to her room, Salma showed up with Pattie, bringing a nutritious breakfast to help Anastasia recover.

Anastasia had no appetite. Pattie held her hand and said, "Mom, you need to eat something. If you don't, you'll be hungry. Your baby brother will come back to your tummy, I promise."

Pattie understood what had happened, and Salma had brought her to comfort Anastasia.

Salma feared that Anastasia might fall into depression again, like a few years before.

Seeing sweet little Pattie, Anastasia's heart still ached. "Pattie, Mommy really can't eat right now."

Turning to Salma, she said, "Mom, please take Pattie home later."

She didn't want to talk or let her negative emotions affect her child.

Salma, worried, said, "Ana, you need to eat something. If your health fails, everything will be over. You barely escaped death. I only have one daughter."

Salma's words made Anastasia eat a little, but her overwhelming sadness made her vomit it all out.

Salma was heartbroken, and Herman quickly poured a glass of water for her.

Anastasia, however, didn't appreciate it. She would rather pour her own water than drink what Herman offered.

Once Anastasia's emotions calmed a bit, she told Herman, "You should go home too. You don't need to stay here. Seeing you makes me uncomfortable." Every time she saw Herman, she remembered how Grannie Anita had caused the death of her child. She resented Herman for not seeking justice.

If Herman wouldn't seek justice, she would, and that would put them at odds. If they were going to part ways, it might as well be now.

Her words were like a dagger to Herman's heart.

Herman struggled to speak, "Anastasia..."

"Didn't you hear me? I told you to leave," Anastasia's icy gaze met his. "I don't want to see anyone from the Salstrom family right now. Leave."

Her words took Salma by surprise. "Ana, what are you doing?"

But Herman didn't want to provoke Anastasia further. So he said to Salma, "Mom, I'll take Pattie home. You stay here with Anastasia."

Hearing that Herman was going to take Pattie away, Anastasia reacted like a threatened mother cat. "Don't you dare take my daughter away! Isn't it enough for the Salstrom family to have taken one of my children? Do you want to harm my daughter too?" Anastasia had completely lost trust in the Salstrom family. She didn't believe they would treat Pattie well.

Herman looked into Anastasia's eyes and saw himself as her enemy, someone she needed to guard against.

Her distrust hurt more than a knife to his chest, a thousand times over.

Salma was utterly confused and didn't know what to say. To defuse the situation, she said, "Son-in-law, you better leave. I'll take care of Ana."

Herman had no choice but to leave. But he couldn't truly leave; he could only sit in the corridor outside the room, keeping watch.

Herman lit a cigarette, trying to ease his pain.

Leaning against the wall, he exhaled smoke, finding a small release for his emotions.

"Mr. Salstrom." Nelson approached him. "The matter in Shanghai has been taken care of. We've also found the number that sent the threatening message to the young lady."

Herman took a deep drag, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Who sent the message?"