Tavon was acting strange—one minute asking Anastasia to get James to come over, the next telling her to forget it, and then suddenly checking in on Salma. Anastasia couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
“Dad, what’s going on?” she asked over the phone. “You sound like you’ve just discovered the secret to happiness or something. Are you… sick? Like, seriously sick?”
Only something that heavy could make someone suddenly grow a conscience.
As the saying goes, people speak kindly when they think the end is near.
Tavon was quiet for a beat.
“Oh, come on. One person wishing I’d croak isn’t enough, now there’s a second?” he blurted out before he could catch himself.
Anastasia caught on immediately. “Wait—who else wants you gone? Dad, what aren’t you telling me?”
She heard car horns blaring in the background. “Are you outside somewhere?”
“Yeah, just out for a walk,” Tavon said, dodging. “Kids are just karma from another life, you know? You really are hoping I’ll drop dead, huh? Relax, I’m not going anywhere. Worry about your mom, take care of your three kids, and remember to be sweet to your husband. Keep things interesting—guys love that. He’s got status, there’s temptation everywhere, don’t let your guard down…”
Tavon shifted the topic so smoothly that Anastasia let it slide.
Getting relationship advice from your own dad was just awkward.
Since he seemed in a rare good mood, Anastasia changed the subject. “Dad, when are you coming to Riverdale? How’s everything over there?”
“All good. I’ll come by when I get the chance,” Tavon said, only half sincere. “I’m busy these days—old friends keep inviting me out. If I’m not birdwatching, I’m at the park dancing.”
Anastasia didn’t think much of it. They chatted a little longer until work called her away, so she hung up and got back to her day.
On Tavon’s end, the second he hung up, all the energy drained out of him.
He’d lived here for decades, raised kids, built a life—yet now it all felt so lonely.
Maybe this was what people meant by karma.
Riverdale.

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)
Author pls Pls don't separate Ana and Herman once again because of Sandy. There must be an ending to Ana's sufferings!...
Yes yes yes!!! Thank you!!!...
How comes the twists are becoming uninteresting and unrealistic? Readers will prefer cleaner straight happy endings. Please don't go far beyond otherwise readers will lose interest. Time to end the story like we want it to be....
Please give us a happy ending for Anastasia and Herman with Pattie recognized as Herman's daughter, thank you!!!...
Pls update. This novel is really good....